Hey guys, happy holidays. I’ve tried to find this topic after pouring over the Roon instructions, but I’ve yet to find what I’m looking for. I was advised by users on Head-Fi to ask on this forum, because it’s a bit of a conundrum to them and me, too, and the only thing we could think of is I might be missing something in Roon (or maybe SonicOrbiter/microRenu.
Anyway, the question is, are there any hidden volume controls that I’m not finding in Roon, or any tricks, or whatnot? Because what’s happening is, I’m going from a SonicOrbiter i5 w/ an external HD - > Router - > Cat 6a - > short wall run - > into my study - > Cat 6a - > microRendu - > Curious Cable link - > Chord DAVE - > Focal Utopias.
What a lot of people are reporting is that their volume for average listening levels is between -40db to -20db, while mine is around -16db to -0db, all with a very similar setup. My volume is fixed in Roon, and I’m not deaf! Haha! In fact, my professional hearing test shows that I can easily hear between 30Hz - 16kHz. Moreover, both my son and wife listen to the same volume as I do without fatigue or it being too loud.
So, I mean, what does it sound like? Could this be a Roon thing?I can’t imagine that the problem would be somewhere between my SonicOrbiter and the wall. I’m getting the good ol’ purple star in Roon that shows I’ve got a good path.
Some people show a Max Volume setting in Roon, while I don’t see that… Only Fixed, DSP and Mixed Wasapi. I certainly don’t want to degrade the SQ by choosing some wacky volume setting that wouldn’t apply to me.
So, if I’m barking up the wrong tree, please let me know. I’m kind of at my wit’s end now.
I am not familiar with your gear but I would be setting the microRendu volume to fixed in Roon and using the volume control on your Chord Dave to control the actual volume but it seems like that is what you have done.
I don’t really understand what the problem you are experiencing is.
Right. If I know of people who have almost the exact same setup as myself, including the DAC and headphones, Roon and microRenu, then I fail to understand why thy don’t have to crank their DAC as much as I do to get to a comfortable listening level.
I mean, there is nothing else in Roon to give bit-perfect volume to your gear besides the Mixed Wasapi, DSP volume and fixed? I feel as though I’m not getting enough juice to my hardware. Dig?
To test this you would need to use your music on someone elses setup that was hardwarewise identical to yours. The most likely cause is that when ripped your music was encoded at a lower volume. As long as you are using “fixed volume” you are fine.
RoonReady in the microrendu set to None (100%), and in Roon microrendu settings>General>External volume set to none. I’d reboot your rendu to be sure.
The purple light should show on the signal path, indicating bit perfect from Roons POV.
Assuming that’s all done and looking ok, any volume control is outside of Roons control.
I know from having had a Hugo that the output level was variable since it’s all done via programming of the FPGA, so all volume levels are of equal quality. Could there be something adjusted here, or is it the main volume scale on the Dave?
Beyond that all I can think is your preference. On the Devialet forums there’s a huge range of volume levels for similar kit. At least some of it is probably room and listener preference. Not sure how headphones would come into it.
Anyway the upshot is, if you see a purple light, the ‘problem’ is outside Roon.
You know, there is this theory being passed around that there is nothing wrong with my setup, but because I listen to zero music that is dynamically compressed/limited, i.e. not brickwalled that my volume on the DAVE has to be turned up more than most, even with highly efficient headphones, because of the lower recordings I listen to.
I’m simply trying to weed out any possible user error on my part, if that makes sense and/or to explore all angles before I give up.
Well, that certainly makes sense but would seem odd if you know someone with the same setup and music, and similar hearing, and you’re using 20db more for the same perceived volume.
Tricky thing to check without the other person and kit setup side-by-side, or somehow both measuring the output.
Other than that you’d have to think there could be a hardware fault?
Although, I’m assuming if you listen to some pop music at 0db it would blow your head off! In which case all is probably well,
Well, it appears we’ve exhausted any Roon problems, which I don’t think there is any. This leads me to believe either a.) Maybe I listen to music a little louder, even though an SPL meter will max out in my normal listening volume at -80 to 85db, or b.) Something is wrong with my mRendu.
The later is what I will explore next.
Rob Watts, the man behind the Chord products responded back to me that I shouldn’t worry about it as long as I don’t go past +4db.
You mention 0db, but the 2015 Tom Petty re-masters, as well as The Doors 2013 Analogue Productions re-masters are super low, and yeah, I’m up to 0db. I mean, I know when something is uncomfortable to listen to, and those are not in that range.
But, you know, I even hooked my DAVE up straight to my laptops with the volume disabled in Jriver and I still am in the same range. shrug
I want to sincerely thank everyone who has contributed to this thread. Thanks so much!
