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USB to DAC question on the volume control

post #1 of 3
12/8/08 at 10:07pm
Thread Starter 
Hi guys

I just bought a new DAC and it has a USB input. I plug it into my computer and loaded my ALC files with itunes. I'm kinda surprise to find out that I could control the volume through itunes. Please correct me if I'm wrong, isn't USB work like SPDIF/ optical out where no volume control is allowed on the source?

Thanks for any input.
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post #2 of 3
12/8/08 at 10:20pm
Two big assumptions, both wrong. No, USB is not like S/PDIF and both do allow for digital volume control.

Use ASIO output, set volume control to 100% EVERYWHERE (Sound control panel in Master, Wave, etc; and in player).
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post #3 of 3
12/8/08 at 11:41pm
I use SPDIF and can control the volume still using the media player (depends on which media player) or the SPDIF volume control in mixer settings. Master volume has no control but FallenAngel is correct that all volumes should be set to 100% and use the USB device to control volume only. Jan Meir of Meir audio posted the same thing once and said something about lowering computer volume control to external DAC affects dynamic range.
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