[waitou]

Hi, I am using computer foobar->ASIO->super.pro.DAC->A900 headphone normally, but some times I want to use my dvd player as the transport instead of computer (just because I will end up playing on the computer instead of enjoying the music if the computer is on

).

BUT there is a serious problem using dvd as transport, which is that there is no volume control through out the path. No control for dvd, no control for dac, no control for headphone. I went to some local stores, searching for dvd players with volume control, but end up with no luck. Do you guys have any solution to this? (I know there are dac's with volume control even remote available, but I love the little pro.dac, and want to keep it).

Thanks!

 

[thomaspf]

Search for passive volume control on the Internet and you will find matches from budget price to insanely expensive.

If you are not too concerned about quality loss by digital truncation you can also try to extend your word length to 24bits in foobar and use its built-in software volume control. The additional 8 bits give you about 48db in attenuation before you loose any details.

Cheers

Thomas

 

[silverrain]

Use a headphone amp.

 

[waitou]

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomaspf /img/forum/go_quote.gif Search for passive volume control on the Internet and you will find matches from budget price to insanely expensive. If you are not too concerned about quality loss by digital truncation you can also try to extend your word length to 24bits in foobar and use its built-in software volume control. The additional 8 bits give you about 48db in attenuation before you loose any details. Cheers Thomas

Thanks for the reply. I searched for passive volume control units, and most of them cost as much as my dac, if not more! I guess I don't want to spend that much for attenuating signals

.

Foobar does give me a control over volume so I have no problem using computer as source. Does anyone know which cd/dvd players have a volume control for digital out? (or better question: is there any?)

 

[thomaspf]

Sure

Mark Levinson No.390S CD Processor

Cheers

Thomas

 

[waitou]

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomaspf /img/forum/go_quote.gif Sure Mark Levinson No.390S CD Processor Cheers Thomas

I have to sell my car to buy that

 

[waitou]

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverrain /img/forum/go_quote.gif Use a headphone amp.

oh, I thought headphone amp can only amplify sound. Does it do attenuation also? Interesting.

Do you have some recommendations on a compact, cheap headphone amp for this purpose?

 

[darkless]

The Behringer DEQ2496 can lower the volume digitally, but you're better off getting a passive volume control unit.

Example: Goldpoint SA1 ($372)

 

[infinitesymphony]

If you want the best sound quality for your headphones, you'll need a headphone amp anyway. A better amplifier isn't just for making things louder, it also acts as a buffer that improves power handling to the headphones (an oversimplified view, but you get the idea)...

A passive volume control would be a good solution in the case of active monitors (i.e. studio speakers with built-in amplifiers), where all that's needed is attenuation. For $372, you're better off buying either a headphone amplifier, mixer, or regular preamplifier.

 

[silverrain]

Quote:

Originally Posted by waitou /img/forum/go_quote.gif oh, I thought headphone amp can only amplify sound. Does it do attenuation also? Interesting. Do you have some recommendations on a compact, cheap headphone amp for this purpose?

For $300 the HeadRoom Micro Amp is very good.
For only $99 (+ $15 wallwart power cord) a HeadRoom Total Airhead amp is okay -- better than most other amps at this price, in my personal experience with many of them that I tried.