Is it a good idea to use both DSP volume and analog volume in the same signal chain?

Roon Software Discussion
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I understand that large attenuation with DSP volume can degrade the signal (especially the bit depth). On the other hand, I do want the flexibility of using the Roon Remote to adjust volume, so I set the analog volume control (resistor ladder) of my integrated amp to -20db and use DSP for further attenuation, usually another -15db.

I -20db for vinyl and -30db for digital. This way, I will not have to keep adjusting the volume on my amp. I am also planning to use REW for room correction, so “bit perfect” is unattainable anyway.

Is this a good plan? Or is it silly? :slight_smile:

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Pretty much what I do. Turn on volume levelling too and you might find you (almost) never have to adjust anything…

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You are right that it can technically degrade the sound, but the upscaling to 64 bit floating point that Roon does creates a bunch of empty space that acts like a buffer against signal degradation. I think as long as it sounds fine to you, then there is not problem.

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Yes, I also turned on Volume Leveling (auto). Roon is awesome.

I even gave up on DSD for the speakers. I bet room correction makes a (far) larger impact.

5

In my current setup I use both. rooDial controls Roon (the 64bit digital volume) and the base loudness is set on the volume knob of my DAC. A very nice way to do it!

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I also wonder if the digital volume control (device volume) on a DAC with 32-bit or 48-bit data paths will be better than the Roon DSP volume.

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Probably not, but easy enough to try. What kit are we talking about?

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How can less mathematical precision get you better results - seems unlikely to me, but you’re free to try and use whatever pleases you…

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Potentially if the DAC is using leedh processing, because it ‘eliminates rounding errors’, but unlikely at high bit depths. Maybe.

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If I listen very, very carefully I hear a perceived degradation of sound quality with Roon’s volume control or volume leveling. Most times I don’t listen that carefully.

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People raise concerns with sound degradation with both digital and analog volume control. What to do? Panic!

So I run everything at 100% and wear my winter hat, adjust the volume by adjusting the ear muffs.

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12

I am using a headphone amp (analog volume only) as a makeshift DAC for now, but I am shopping for a new DAC so I can use my headphones again.

I am looking at the Topping D70s/D90 and the Schiit Modius. The Modius does not have volume control at all but is a lot cheaper. If I will never miss digital volume control I might just go with the Schiit. :slight_smile:

I know any difference (IF any) will not be audible anyway. Just curious.

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I say try using both to get the sound you like. If you don’t like what it does, only you can tell.

I have all solid state gear and my speakers are very efficient, so I use a combination of analog and digital volume controls. I have -15dB Rothwell XLR attenuators from DAC to integrated. Then I adjust the DAC’s digital volume between 0 and -10dB and have Roon Volume Leveling (-18LUFS, which probably averages -3dB) and Headroom Adjustment at -3dB. This allows me to turn my integrated analog volume pot up more (up to 12 o’clock), which sounds better to me when I give it more juice.

To be honest, the in-line analog attenuators make the most impact on the sound, but I have grown to like what they do to the sound. If I don’t want them in the chain, it is easy to switch on the fly because my DAC has so many different ways to connect to my integrated. I have the following different paths and can switch to any of them using my integrated’s remote depending on if I am looking for a specific sound:

  • RCA interconnects with -5dB Rothwell in-line attenuators
  • RCA interconnects with no attenuation
  • XLR interconnects with -15dB Rothwell in-line attenuators
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In any case I doubt I can hear the difference.

However, putting more computational load on the Pi endpoint can theoretically cause degradation. My Pi 4 (with Flirc case) is in a cabinet with poor ventilation. I don’t want it to overheat. Or perhaps I should just put it somewhere else.

Honestly, unless DSP is repeatedly applied without regard to rounding errors I doubt precision matters that much.