1 Topic by vbenko (edited by vbenko 2023-11-05 21:01:43)

  • Registered: 2023-11-05
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Topic: Volume control noob question

Hi,

I have bought ADI-2 DAC FS. I have Node 2i connected (fixed volume) to ADI-2 DAC FS and my ADI-2 DAC with RCA to my integrated amp Musical Fidelity M6si. At the moment IT si Connecticut to Aux HT so i control volume on ma DAC only. Volume konobe on my amp has no function in this case.

I am wondering if this is correct way to connect DAC to M6si. I have tried reading reading forum and manual but all of this is kind to complicated for me to understand.


Should I control volume with my amp instead. How to setup DAC in this case?

I would appreciate any inputs from members in simple tearms smile

  • KaiS
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Re: Volume control noob question

All good as you have it.

For best sound quality, make sure “Auto Ref Level” is active in ADI-2:
I/O / Line Output / Settings / Auto Ref Level: ON.

If correct, when you turn ADI-2’s volume dial, the volume figure shows dBr (instead of plain “dB”).

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Re: Volume control noob question

Thank you. My setup is as you mentioned

https://imgur.com/a/cwwpmfk


When setting up voulume what this -5dbu or any other number acutally means?

https://imgur.com/a/JWQ34ZI

As I have it setup like this and my AMP has no voulume control on input if something gows wrong with DAC I will get full signal to my speakers? Any way to avoid this?

thx

4 Reply by KaiS (edited by KaiS 2023-11-06 17:38:38)

  • KaiS
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Re: Volume control noob question

vbenko wrote:

Thank you. My setup is as you mentioned

https://imgur.com/a/cwwpmfk

Correct!


vbenko wrote:

When setting up voulume what this -5dbu or any other number acutally means?

https://imgur.com/a/JWQ34ZI

It’s the output reference level that ADI-2 automatically adjust to the best fitting value.

vbenko wrote:

As I have it setup like this and my AMP has no voulume control on input if something gows wrong with DAC I will get full signal to my speakers? Any way to avoid this?

Usually nothing goes wrong except user errors, same as with every amp.
ADI-2 itself has protections against electronic faults built in.

If, what I see in the picture you posted, is your normal volume, I suggest to use some passive attenuators to add protection against misuse and further improve level matching:
https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.ph … 42#p120442

https://www.amazon.de/MONACOR-Pegelmind … amp;sr=8-3

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61bL+LJ9VdL._AC_SX679_.jpg

https://thumbs.static-thomann.de/thumb/padthumb600x600/pics/bdb/_19/197430/7545767_800.jpg

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Re: Volume control noob question

If I have understood correctly I would get sound improvement if my listening volume would be around - 25 dbr?

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Re: Volume control noob question

vbenko wrote:

If I have understood correctly I would get sound improvement if my listening volume would be around - 25 dbr?

You would take more advantage of ADI-2’s dynamic range.

Due to the clever “Auto Ref Level” function ADI-2 keeps it’s dynamic range and SNR down to about this volume setting.


The other advantage of passive attenuators, already mentioned:
Better protection against user errors that lead to excessive loudness which endangers the speakers.

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Re: Volume control noob question

I have tried to use ADI-2 with Passive Level Attenuator foe a while. I am ny trying to listen it without them I have sent ADI-2 to 0 volume and ref level to 7. I am contoling volime with my intehrated amp M6si. What would be difference in havin it at volume 0 and auto ref at 7 and having it at -6 and auto ref at 13? Is it same? Is one better than another?

8 Reply by KaiS (edited by KaiS 2024-03-01 09:52:45)

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Re: Volume control noob question

vbenko wrote:

. What would be difference in havin it at volume 0 and auto ref at 7 and having it at -6 and auto ref at 13? Is it same? Is one better than another?

Volume 0 dB has the best Signal to Noise Ratio - SNR - and the highest resolution.


This is what Auto Ref Level does:

Keeping the internal digital volume as high as possible, while selecting the best fitting Reference Level for the desired listening level.
Auto Ref Level‘s calculation even takes level changes of ADI-2‘s DSP functions like PEQ into account.

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Re: Volume control noob question

So it is ok to have this going in yelllow up to 0 not passing 0 and going into red?

https://postimg.cc/7CDmG1pp/98a2f2e2

10 Reply by KaiS (edited by KaiS 2024-03-22 19:52:28)

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Re: Volume control noob question

vbenko wrote:

So it is ok to have this going in yelllow up to 0 not passing 0 and going into red?

https://postimg.cc/7CDmG1pp/98a2f2e2

No, too hot.
Dial back one step.

Your photo shows the Line Out.
For record level you need to watch the Analog Input.

Overs might have got “lost” if this is the playback signal from the recording soft.
Check this by doing a short recording while purposely overdriving the input, then play it back from your PC
Do you still see the meters show “OV”?
If not, the information is “lost”.

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Re: Volume control noob question

This is Node 2i connected playing Tidal. Should I just dial back volume knobs on ADI or maybe set it to -6 and auto ref to 13 instead of 0 with auto ref 7.

  • Registered: 2023-06-30
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Re: Volume control noob question

KaiS wrote:

Your photo shows the Line Out.
For record level you need to watch the Analog Input.

It's the ADI-2 DAC on the photo wink

Fireface UCX II + ARC USB > ADI-2 Pro FS R BE > Neumann KH 750 DSP + MA 1 > KH 120 A
  • KaiS
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Re: Volume control noob question

Aah, sorry, been on the wrong boat.

In playback 0 dB is OK!

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