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In Reply to: RE: The right playback software handles it.... posted by AbeCollins on January 22, 2024 at 09:29:28
Depends.
The loudest a DAC could play is called 0 dBFS, say all bits are on.
If we lower the volume digital we 'shift' to the LSB.
If we play 16 bit program material on a 16 bit DAC and lower with 48 dB, we have only half of the number of bits left.
MSB LSB
1111111111111111
0000000011111111
Yes, we do loose resolution and with each bit chopped off, 6 dB of the dynamic range.
If we play 16 bits program material on a 24 bit DAC and lower with 8 bits (48 dB) we still have all 16 bits in the register of the DAC.
111111111111111100000000
000000001111111111111111
IMHO with modern 24 or 32 bit DACs, digital volume control is not an issue, we don't lose resolution.
The fundamental difference between analog and digital VC is that analog reduces signal and noise so the SNR is constant. Digital VC can only alter the samples so by design the SNR will become worse.
However with modern DACs having a noise floor as low as -140 dBFS, even modern ultra silent power amps can't resolve this so should we worry.
Digital volume control doesn't have imbalance nor will it crackle.
The Well Tempered Computer
Follow Ups:
"If we play 16 bit program material on a 24 bit DAC and lower with 8 bits (48 dB) we still have all 16 bits in the register of the DAC."So you are basically fine in that you still maintain 16 bit resolution and dynamic range.
But if you paid for and play 24 bit material and lose 8 bits (via the digital Volume Control) you're at 16 bits and "didn't get your money's worth" out of your 24 bit music purchase or stream.
You lose the resolution and dynamic range that 24 bit provides but the question becomes, does it matter? Can you hear it? It is a moot question if you refrain from using the Digital Volume control and maintain all 24 bits and control the volume in the analog domain with a preamp.
Related but not about digital resolution as discussed above:
I have used Digital Volume controls on some DACs. Some are better than others but unrelated to the number D/A bits. It seems that many DACs on their own (IMHO) lack the robust, dynamic, and full bodied sound that can be achieved with a good outboard preamp. Some DACs will sound slightly less 'alive' or 'dynamic' and I attribute that to their analog output section and limited drive vs a good preamp.
Edits: 01/23/24 01/23/24 01/23/24
This depends on where the volume control is placed in the circuit and the S/N ratio of the components that are placed after the volume control. For example, if using an integrated tube amp (or separates) with a so-so or poor S/N ratio for the outputs (which are placed after the volume control in the circuit), turning down the volume knob does not reduce the power amp's S/N ratio. However, if the poor S/N ratio is due to the preamp circuitry that precedes the volume pot, then turning down the volume does reduce the S/N ratio along with the signal. Note there are some analog preamps that still have circuity placed after the volume control -- a buffer circuit, for example.
So, a healthy measure of "it depends" when it comes to the subject line. The good news is that most equipment is so quiet these days than it is generally a non-issue.
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