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Can a portable amp work as an inline volume control to reduce volume?

Oct 10, 2011 at 10:23 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 6
Dubs

Dubs

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I'm an audio noob who just got his first real headphones (Audio-Technica ATH-A700), so please forgive my ignorance.
 
I want to use the ASIO functionality of my Xonar DS sound card, but enabling it causes the volume to blast 100% (by design). So, I'm in need of a hardware-based volume control.
 
I'm thinking of getting a cheap amp to use as an inline volume control, but I want to make sure it will be able to reduce the volume of my source signal. I'm looking specifically at the FiiO E6 for $30.
 
If not, then I'll just end up getting the KOSS VC20 inline volume control for $10.
 
(I'm willing to spend the extra $20 because I'd also make use of the E6 as a portable amp for my MP3 player.)
 
Thanks!
--Dubs

 
 
Oct 10, 2011 at 11:20 PM Post #2 of 6
Yes, most amps have volume controls so the output of the amp can be (considerably) smaller than the input.  E6 would work fine.
 
Using an inline volume control will just add some impedance between the source and the headphones, which will change the sound quality in ways that are theoretically bad:  worse damping factor, altering the frequency response.  Of course, any type of change might be preferred subjectively by some people.  Thus that's not really recommended.
 
Unless you need ASIO for ultra low latency for live audio use, it's probably not worth it though.  If your mp3 player has a good enough integrated amp, maybe you should just forget about ASIO and not get anything.  $20 is not too much of an investment though, if that's what you want.
 
Oct 10, 2011 at 11:53 PM Post #3 of 6
The biggest potential problem, for me anyway, is channel imbalance on amps with too much gain. Its usually not a problem when the amp is connected to something with a fairly tepid analog signal, like my 4G Touch, but hook it up to a dedicated DAC like my MSII and you can rapidly find yourself in the situation where the first 'balanced' setting on the pot is too loud, particularly with sensitive IEMs.
 
Oct 11, 2011 at 6:10 AM Post #4 of 6

 
Quote:
mikeaj said:
Yes, most amps have volume controls so the output of the amp can be (considerably) smaller than the input.  E6 would work fine.
 
Using an inline volume control will just add some impedance between the source and the headphones, which will change the sound quality in ways that are theoretically bad:  worse damping factor, altering the frequency response.  Of course, any type of change might be preferred subjectively by some people.  Thus that's not really recommended.
 
Unless you need ASIO for ultra low latency for live audio use, it's probably not worth it though.  If your mp3 player has a good enough integrated amp, maybe you should just forget about ASIO and not get anything.  $20 is not too much of an investment though, if that's what you want.
Click to expand...


That answered my question perfectly, thanks! 
 
I'll abandon using ASIO on my PC for now since there's not that much additional benefit.  Although, even on standard settings, the Xonar drives my headphones so well that I can listen comfortably with the volume at 5% (and I've never had it up past 40%).
 
I will still most likely pick up the E6 at some point, but for now I'll just enjoy breaking in my new headphones. =)
 
Thanks again!
 
 
Jan 31, 2012 at 11:00 AM Post #5 of 6
I ended up buying the FiiO E6 and I have absolutely no regrets.  It's the perfect little amp for lowering the volume!
 
The trick is to set the E6 to EQ3 (purple dot on the back) which is flat but reduces the overall gain by 3dB.  This way it can handle the large signal coming from the sound card without clipping and it sounds wonderful.
 
Oh, and the A700s?  I still get a smile on my face every time I put them on.
 
Jan 31, 2012 at 1:22 PM Post #6 of 6
mikeaj said:
Using an inline volume control will just add some impedance between the source and the headphones, which will change the sound quality in ways that are theoretically bad:  worse damping factor, altering the frequency response.  Of course, any type of change might be preferred subjectively by some people.  Thus that's not really recommended.
Click to expand...


Depending on the listener and the equipment, the changes may not even be audible. I don't notice any difference in sound quality when using the in line volume control on my IEM's, except that the line noise is essentially eliminated when I turn the volume down by about a third.
 
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