• Registered: 2022-10-30
  • Posts: 2

Topic: Default starting vol for different inputs

Hello, I am a new user of ADI-2 DAC. Can’t seem to find what I am trying to do from the manual so please may I see if it is possible to set a default starting volume level for different inputs, instead of the “last volume”?

One reason is that for one particular input (coax) I want to bypass the signal hence want to use 0 db all the time. But, for example, if I just finish using coax and want to change the input to USB, I will have to turn the volume down by quite a lot, every time. And vice versa when I change from USB to coax.

Thanks!

2 Reply by KaiS (edited by KaiS 2025-06-27 09:18:30)

  • KaiS
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Re: Default starting vol for different inputs

You can store and use a “Setup” for each input.
If you enable “ Load Volume with Setup” you get what you want.
Read manual page 29 (DAC), 30 (Pro) or 29 (2/4 Pro SE).

Loading certain “Setups” can be assigned to a button’s push on the device or IR Remote.
Read manual page 26 (DAC), 28 (Pro) or 30 (2/4 Pro SE).

Watch out:
The  “Remap key” configuration is part of each individual “Setup” and needs to be set for each individual “Setup”.
This can be used to toggle through 2 or more Setups with one single button.


Works like this:
As the button assignment isn’t global, but part of each “Setup”, you can even have different assignments to the same button in each Setup - a nice feature that we can use for the following:

Choose ONE single button that you usually don’t need.
In Setup 1 assign: “load Setup 2”
In Setup 2 assign: “load Setup 1”
Now this single button toggles between both Setups.


This method can be extended to load even more Setups if needed, like:
In Setup 1 assign: “load Setup 2”
In Setup 2 assign: “load Setup 3”
In Setup 3 assign: “load Setup 4”
In Setup 4 assign: “load Setup 1”
Now the single button circles through Setup 1-4, clever, isn’t it?!


As for loading Setups ADI-2 asks for confirmation, a double-push is needed to execute the load.
Holding the button more than 1s, the button‘s original function is available.
Therefore I typically assign the SETUP button to load Setups – sic!



Step-by-step how-to for the IR-Remote

1. Load Setup 1.

2. Remap keys should be set to "Remote".

3. Go to "VOL (1)”, change to "Setup 2"

4. Save this configuration to Setup 1.

5. Push the 1 key on the remote twice. This loads Setup 2.

6. Remap keys should be set to "Remote".

7. Go to "VOL (1)”  and change to "Setup 1".

8. Save this configuration to Setup 2.

9. Push the 1 key on the remote twice. This loads Setup 1.

Each time you now push the 1 key on the remote twice ADI-2 toggles between Setup 1 and 2.


You can of course use different IR-Remote keys for the Setups:
The only difference above would be step 3.:

3. Go to "I/O (2)” and change to "Setup 2".

KaiS's Website

  • Registered: 2022-10-30
  • Posts: 2

Re: Default starting vol for different inputs

Thanks! This is promising! Let me try a bit soon.

  • Registered: 2025-02-06
  • Posts: 24

Re: Default starting vol for different inputs

If I attenuate the volume to - 4 db for example, do I have a degradation of quality that reaches the amplifier? I ask because with balanced outputs the output level seems higher, before I used xlr. Thanks

5 Reply by KaiS (edited by KaiS 2025-02-14 18:31:27)

  • KaiS
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Re: Default starting vol for different inputs

jamirox99 wrote:

If I attenuate the volume to - 4 db for example, do I have a degradation of quality that reaches the amplifier? I ask because with balanced outputs the output level seems higher, before I used xlr. Thanks

1. If you have Auto Ref Level “ON”, signal quality stays largely the same from +2,5 dBr to –24 dBr Volume dial setting.


2. I need detailed information on your chain to precisely answer your 2nd question.

In general, on ADI-2 DAC, XLR Out (connected balanced) is 6 dB hotter than RCA Out.

ADI-2 DAC’s audio quality is exactly the same for both outputs, XLR and RCA.


Furthermore:
If you don’t hear noise from your speakers, you don’t have a noise related audio quality problem.

If you do hear mains or computer related hum and noise, try balanced interconnection with XLR to XLR cables.
A true balanced connection solves ground loop related noises of all sorts.

KaiS's Website

  • ramses
  • ramses
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Re: Default starting vol for different inputs

jamirox99 wrote:

If I attenuate the volume to - 4 db for example, do I have a degradation of quality that reaches the amplifier? I ask because with balanced outputs the output level seems higher, before I used xlr. Thanks


I just updated my Excel file, maybe also interesting for you, showing the positive effects of the very uniq RME features auto ref level. The Excel file illustrates the "Auto Ref Level" feature, which optimizes SNR and dynamic range by automatically selecting the optimal reference level. The calculation takes into account bass/treble, PEQ, and dynamic loudness:
https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/attachme … v005-xlsx/


You find updates of the Excel file at the following locations:
RME user forum: https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=32506
My Blog: https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/Ent … ses-EN-DE/

BR Ramses - HDSPe MADI FX, M-1620 Pro D, 12Mic, UFX III, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, Nuendo 15, Win10 IoT Ent
  • Registered: 2025-02-06
  • Posts: 24

Re: Default starting vol for different inputs

KaiS wrote:
jamirox99 wrote:

If I attenuate the volume to - 4 db for example, do I have a degradation of quality that reaches the amplifier? I ask because with balanced outputs the output level seems higher, before I used xlr. Thanks

1. If you have Auto Ref Level “ON”, signal quality stays largely the same from +2,5 dBr to –24 dBr Volume dial setting.


2. I need detailed information on your chain to precisely answer your 2nd question.

In general, on ADI-2 DAC, XLR Out (connected balanced) is 6 dB hotter than RCA Out.

ADI-2 DAC’s audio quality is exactly the same for both outputs, XLR and RCA.


Furthermore:
If you don’t hear noise from your speakers, you don’t have a noise related audio quality problem.

If you do hear mains or computer related hum and noise, try balanced interconnection with XLR to XLR cables.
A true balanced connection solves ground loop related noises of all sorts.

I have the dac adi 2 dac fs, I use it only as a dac. I use xlr connection. Before I used rca and the amplifier volume was ok. Now with xlr it is higher and less manageable. What is the best solution? The dac is on 0 db. Do I set the dac to - 6db? Or is there something better? Thanks

8 Reply by KaiS (edited by KaiS 2025-02-15 08:03:45)

  • KaiS
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Re: Default starting vol for different inputs

jamirox99 wrote:
KaiS wrote:
jamirox99 wrote:

If I attenuate the volume to - 4 db for example, do I have a degradation of quality that reaches the amplifier? I ask because with balanced outputs the output level seems higher, before I used xlr. Thanks

1. If you have Auto Ref Level “ON”, signal quality stays largely the same from +2,5 dBr to –24 dBr Volume dial setting.


2. I need detailed information on your chain to precisely answer your 2nd question.

In general, on ADI-2 DAC, XLR Out (connected balanced) is 6 dB hotter than RCA Out.

ADI-2 DAC’s audio quality is exactly the same for both outputs, XLR and RCA.


Furthermore:
If you don’t hear noise from your speakers, you don’t have a noise related audio quality problem.

If you do hear mains or computer related hum and noise, try balanced interconnection with XLR to XLR cables.
A true balanced connection solves ground loop related noises of all sorts.

I have the dac adi 2 dac fs, I use it only as a dac. I use xlr connection. Before I used rca and the amplifier volume was ok. Now with xlr it is higher and less manageable. What is the best solution? The dac is on 0 db. Do I set the dac to - 6db? Or is there something better? Thanks

Lowering the Volume by 6 dB does not degrade the audio in a audible way.

Other than that:

How is the Reference Level set?
There’s a wide range of values and the Auto Ref Level option.

With Auto Ref Level “ON”, as mentioned, you can dial the Volume down until –22 dBr, largely keeping the same resolution and dynamic range.

Or, you leave the Volume on 0 dB and manually set Reference Level down to –5 dBu.
The resulting XLR level of +1 dBu is lower than from a typical CD- / DVD-player and should be manageable in a integrated- or preamp.

If you’re already at the lowest ref. level, and want to go further down, use passive attenuators:
https://www.thomann.de/de/jts_ma_123.htm
https://thumbs.static-thomann.de/thumb/padthumb600x600/pics/bdb/_43/436200/13120196_800.jpg

https://www.thomann.de/de/shure_a15as.htm
https://thumbs.static-thomann.de/thumb/padthumb600x600/pics/bdb/_19/197430/7545767_800.jpg

KaiS's Website

  • Registered: 2021-05-29
  • Posts: 11

Re: Default starting vol for different inputs

KaiS wrote:
jamirox99 wrote:
KaiS wrote:

1. If you have Auto Ref Level “ON”, signal quality stays largely the same from +2,5 dBr to –24 dBr Volume dial setting.


2. I need detailed information on your chain to precisely answer your 2nd question.

In general, on ADI-2 DAC, XLR Out (connected balanced) is 6 dB hotter than RCA Out.

ADI-2 DAC’s audio quality is exactly the same for both outputs, XLR and RCA.


Furthermore:
If you don’t hear noise from your speakers, you don’t have a noise related audio quality problem.

If you do hear mains or computer related hum and noise, try balanced interconnection with XLR to XLR cables.
A true balanced connection solves ground loop related noises of all sorts.

I have the dac adi 2 dac fs, I use it only as a dac. I use xlr connection. Before I used rca and the amplifier volume was ok. Now with xlr it is higher and less manageable. What is the best solution? The dac is on 0 db. Do I set the dac to - 6db? Or is there something better? Thanks

Lowering the Volume by 6 dB does not degrade the audio in a audible way.

Other than that:

How is the Reference Level set?
There’s a wide range of values and the Auto Ref Level option.

With Auto Ref Level “ON”, as mentioned, you can dial the Volume down until –22 dBr, largely keeping the same resolution and dynamic range.

Or, you leave the Volume on 0 dB and manually set Reference Level down to –5 dBu.
The resulting XLR level of +1 dBu is lower than from a typical CD- / DVD-player and should be manageable in a integrated- or preamp.

If you’re already at the lowest ref. level, and want to go further down, use passive attenuators:
https://www.thomann.de/de/jts_ma_123.htm
https://thumbs.static-thomann.de/thumb/padthumb600x600/pics/bdb/_43/436200/13120196_800.jpg

https://www.thomann.de/de/shure_a15as.htm
https://thumbs.static-thomann.de/thumb/padthumb600x600/pics/bdb/_19/197430/7545767_800.jpg

Hello, if you allow me a question related to attenuators.
I use the following system: Lumin U 2 mini > USB > ADI 2 Pro fs R BE > XLR > Accuphase A 36 > Klipsch Forte III. A 36 allows gain control, I have set the lowest level to -12dB with a max of 28dB. For comfortable listening, I amplify ADI pro to about -40-30dB, but I am still far from the best SNR and dynamic range, according to the Ramses table. Will I have an audible benefit from using any of the above attenuators?
I apologize for my English, I use Google translator
Thank you

10 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2025-02-15 11:58:31)

  • ramses
  • ramses
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Re: Default starting vol for different inputs

Consider that a music CD has only 96 dB of dynamic, so you have a lot of “headroom” in terms of SNR/dynamic.
Usually more quality than you actually require for listening.

See the yellow marked cells in my Excel sheet.
This volume setting you can use to still have the full dynamic of an audio CD:

  • ADI-2/4 Pro SE: -46 (XLR), -40 (TRS)

  • ADI-2 Pro FS R BE: -42 (XLR), -34 (TRS)

  • ADI-2 DAC FS: -39 (XLR), -34 (RCA)

BR Ramses - HDSPe MADI FX, M-1620 Pro D, 12Mic, UFX III, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, Nuendo 15, Win10 IoT Ent

11 Reply by KaiS (edited by KaiS 2025-02-15 15:58:07)

  • KaiS
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Re: Default starting vol for different inputs

jr.radnev wrote:

Hello, if you allow me a question related to attenuators.
I use the following system: Lumin U 2 mini > USB > ADI 2 Pro fs R BE > XLR > Accuphase A 36 > Klipsch Forte III. A 36 allows gain control, I have set the lowest level to -12dB with a max of 28dB. For comfortable listening, I amplify ADI pro to about -40-30dB, but I am still far from the best SNR and dynamic range, according to the Ramses table. Will I have an audible benefit from using any of the above attenuators?

Now that you disclosed your chain, it’s much easier to give advice:

With “Auto Ref Level: ON” you’re not too far from optimum SNR.
Keep in mind, ADI-2 DAC has it in spades.

Still, I’d suggest to use attenuators, as your chain is heading for the best and deserves it.
It’s a small investment related to the rest.


Still, I bet you won’t hear a difference one way or the other.

KaiS's Website

  • Registered: 2021-05-29
  • Posts: 11

Re: Default starting vol for different inputs

Thanks guys, if I still decide to spend €150, I will definitely share what I hear as a result.