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Question about setting a proper line out volume with the Xonar DX

post #1 of 6
8/9/12 at 6:33am
Thread Starter 
Hello all,

I've been a long time user of the Xonar DX, and it has served me well. Recently picked up a JDS C421 headphone amp to use with the Xonar and my portable music system, and it has helped the overall sound quite a bit. One thing that did concern me, though, was the volume. I've seen recommendations to set the output volume of the Xonar to 100% and use the amp as my main volume controller, but this produces far too much volume since I have to crank the amp up a bit to get over analog channel imbalance at the start.

So does out put volume really affect the overall quality of the line out signal? Is there another way to ensure that I'm getting the cleanest signal out? Thanks!
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post #2 of 6
8/9/12 at 6:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheChillburger View Post

Hello all,

I've been a long time user of the Xonar DX, and it has served me well. Recently picked up a JDS C421 headphone amp to use with the Xonar and my portable music system, and it has helped the overall sound quite a bit. One thing that did concern me, though, was the volume. I've seen recommendations to set the output volume of the Xonar to 100% and use the amp as my main volume controller, but this produces far too much volume since I have to crank the amp up a bit to get over analog channel imbalance at the start.

So does out put volume really affect the overall quality of the line out signal? Is there another way to ensure that I'm getting the cleanest signal out? Thanks!

Lower Windows volume/Xonar volume. Keep the amp volume up.
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post #3 of 6
8/9/12 at 7:17am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Simca View Post

Lower Windows volume/Xonar volume. Keep the amp volume up.

Will that degrade the signal at all?
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post #4 of 6
8/9/12 at 7:26am
No, it'll lower the volume and depending on the DAC you're using may even help the signal. If you're on on-board sound then lowering windows volume DEFINITELY helps produce clearer less distorted sound. If you're on a good external DAC like the ODAC, then you can crank Windows volume to max without any problem.
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post #5 of 6
8/9/12 at 7:40am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Simca View Post

No, it'll lower the volume and depending on the DAC you're using may even help the signal. If you're on on-board sound then lowering windows volume DEFINITELY helps produce clearer less distorted sound. If you're on a good external DAC like the ODAC, then you can crank Windows volume to max without any problem.

That's my main issue. I'm using my Xonar as my DAC and maxing it out as recommended, but the signal is just too loud.
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post #6 of 6
5/19/13 at 8:10pm
old thread but i have never found a solution for this. there seems to be too many contradictions regarding this even the manuals and guides have no idea whats going on. im talking about master volume i leave the mixer at default.
Edited by dioxholster - 5/19/13 at 8:23pm
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