Volume Leveling using Roon API (maintaining bit perfect playback)

Tinkering Roon API
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I have the idea to use the volume leveling information of Roon (e.g. +3.4 dB) and use that information to adjust the volume in hardware directly. Basically I would get a new value from Roon and adjust immediately.

This way I could avoid modifying the signal but still benefit from the adjustments. In my understanding this would be a “better” approach and much more comfortable than constantly changing the volume manually.

I can easily adjust the volume. However, the API does not seem to expose such data.

Any ideas or support are welcome.

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I asked a similar question in this forum, namely that Roon should provide HQPlayer with the volume leveling information so that I can transfer the music bit-perfectly from Roon to HQPlayer and HQPlayer can handle the volume leveling. If I understood the answer correctly, Roon has no interest in providing this information to HQPlayer. Perhaps you’ll have better luck with your use case.

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Hi, welcome!

Why do you think it’s a “better” approach to use hardware volume as opposed to software? Roon’s volume implementation is virtually lossless and doesn’t affect sound quality in any way.

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Maybe reading our highly valued member’s @DrCWO article, providing definitive measurements, will help ease your anxiety.

Would genuinely be interested in learning about any superior hardware approach you could name.

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Thanks :slight_smile:

Well I just want the best possible audio quality that I can get. I started reading this topic and kind of fell into the rabbit hole :smiley:

But yeah scientifically there is no distinguishable difference (only the purple indicator). Thanks for pointing me in the direction.

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The link to which you reply to @Marin_Weigel with is not the same link @Marin_Weigel posted.

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Best you can do is:

  • Avoid analog potentiometers. They never track perfectly, causing the stereo image to shift — especially at low volumes — and they also introduce measurable distortion.

  • Avoid analog components as much as possible (like preamps which introduce noise and THD). You will achieve the best quality by connecting the DAC directly to the power amplifier. Ideally, you should set the DAC’s maximum output voltage (if the unit allows it) in a way, that a 0 dB signal produces the loudest volume you can comfortably tolerate. If the DAC does not offer adjustable output levels, voltage dividers in the cables can be used instead.

Once you’ve done that, you can easily use Roon’s volume control with no audible loss.

However, a better solution — available with the RME ADI-2/4 Pro DAC, for example — is to use its variable output level feature. Down to -25 dB, the DAC chip operates at full resolution; only below that point do you start losing bits.

This requires adjusting the volume on the DAC itself. But if you use the DAC with rooExtend as streamer, you can control the DAC’s volume directly within Roon using my rooADI Roon Extension.

That is the ideal solution.
Best DrCWO