Originally Posted by
Stratmangler
My experiences with using the Squeezebox volume control is that it robs the life from the music.
Don't touch it, it ain't worth bothering with !
Chris
It depends on how much digital attenuation you use, which is why the Transporter has internal jumpers so you can set the output to match the input sensitivity of the power amplifier.
I get the cleanest sound taking a variable output from the Squeezebox to the Beresford DAC and the fixed out from the DAC to the power amp. I need to use no more than 20% attenuation (no less than 80% volume) for normal listening. 90% volume would commonly be used in this mode.
I don't do it that way because I have three digital inputs to the DAC - Squeezebox, Virgin Cable Box and TV. I take the variable output from the Beresford to the power amp because the TV and Virgin box have no variable outs. This is my second best option.
I have a third option: fixed out from the Squeezebox into the Beresford DAC and fixed output from the DAC into a Quad 77 Amp. Pre-amp output from that box to the power amp. That gives me a remote controlled analogue volume control and analogue source switching. It is the worst option, I guess because it is the longest replay chain.
Conclusion, don't dismiss the digital volume control in the Squeezebox: it can be your best option if used sensibly.
I would be interested to hear if the improved variable output of Stanley's new "plus" box changes the ranking.
Brian
In Southampton: Raspberry Pi 4 running PiCorePlayer, Beresford Caiman SEG, Quad 77 Int Amp and CD Player, AVI Neutron 4, Sennheiser HD25 headphones.
In Nicosia: Small Format HTPC, Beresford 7520 ,Quad 405-2, Quart 980s German Tower Loudspeakers.