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Post by rockman85 on Apr 11, 2019 13:01:24 GMT -5
I know that you can digitally control volume if you are using Spotify Connect or the like whereby the actual digital signal is altered in some way. But when using a fixed output mode, shouldnt both digital sources give the same level of volume?
Example: I have a Samsung TV Optical out using Toslink and a Bluesound Node2i using Coaxial to feed my DAC. Both are fixed outputs yet the Node is way louder than the TV. Is the difference due to Toslink vs Coaxial, or is there some other explanation?
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Post by thrillcat on Apr 11, 2019 13:17:38 GMT -5
The Samsung is likely decreasing the overall volume level of everything it sends to avoid potential issues in the wide variety of possible consumer setups. They're less worried about sending audiophile quality than they are about not bothering their tech support staff because, hypothetically 15% of users are experiencing distortion with XYZ brand soundbar, or whatever it might be. The Node2i is likely more concerned with sound quality for its markedly more "enthusiast" customer base.
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Post by rockman85 on Apr 11, 2019 13:19:06 GMT -5
The Samsung is likely decreasing the overall volume level of everything it sends to avoid potential issues in the wide variety of possible consumer setups. They're less worried about sending audiophile quality than they are about not bothering their tech support staff because, hypothetically 15% of users are experiencing distortion with XYZ brand soundbar, or whatever it might be. The Node2i is likely more concerned with sound quality for its markedly more "enthusiast" customer base. Interesting, so I am actually getting an altered source signal from the TV... Is there a work around for getting the best sound (for tv and movies) in a 2 channel setup? |
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Post by thrillcat on Apr 11, 2019 13:23:17 GMT -5
Altered sounds harsh. I would just say lower-level.
I have tons of audio and video software. I can take a digital audio file, run it through, say, Logic Pro, and decrease the volume by a couple db without altering anything but the level, and without ever leaving the digital domain. That's basically what's happening. It's just not as loud, which in turn could raise your noise floor, and will limit overall volume, but it's not going through any additional DA>AD steps because of it.
The best way would be to not use the TV apps, and get a quality streaming device that suits your needs. The Samsung TV is also likely sending a compressed Dolby Digital stream out.
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Post by rockman85 on Apr 11, 2019 13:25:58 GMT -5
Altered sounds harsh. I would just say lower-level. I have tons of audio and video software. I can take a digital audio file, run it through, say, Logic Pro, and decrease the volume by a couple db without altering anything but the level, and without ever leaving the digital domain. That's basically what's happening. It's just not as loud, which in turn could raise your noise floor, and will limit overall volume, but it's not going through any additional DA>AD steps because of it. The best way would be to not use the TV apps, and get a quality streaming device that suits your needs. The Samsung TV is also likely sending a compressed Dolby Digital stream out. I use a Roku, HDMI in to TV, Toslink out, is there a better device you can recommend? Also, what do you think about using this device to reroute the digital signal and pass the video through to the tv? www.amazon.com/ViewHD-Extractor-Optical-Toslink-Converter/dp/B00KBHX072 |
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Post by thrillcat on Apr 11, 2019 13:28:06 GMT -5
Explain your setup better. You're going from the TV to what?
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Post by thrillcat on Apr 11, 2019 13:28:49 GMT -5
The short answer is to never send the audio to your TV. Send it to your amplifier directly.
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Post by rockman85 on Apr 11, 2019 13:34:11 GMT -5
The short answer is to never send the audio to your TV. Send it to your amplifier directly. Sorry, I use Roku and PS4 in to my television, the TV optical out is going into an Emotiva DAC / AMP setup with 2 Channel Speakers hooked up. Since the sources are both HDMI, I would need to extract the audio somehow to bypass the TV. (Since the Stealth DC-1 has no HDMI support) |
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DYohn
Emo VIPs 
Posts: 18,345
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Post by DYohn on Apr 11, 2019 13:36:49 GMT -5
A peramp (or pre/pro) would help.
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Post by thrillcat on Apr 11, 2019 14:06:56 GMT -5
What DYohn said. 999 out of 1000 TVs will send a compressed Dolby Digital stream out through the Toslink, regardless of what you are sending in via the HDMI. At least 999, if not all 1000. You could use the HDMI extractors, or just spend the money and get a good preamp/processor. Send your sources to that, and send video out to the display. The best solution, however, has increased in price quite dramatically. Get an Oppo BDP-103 or 105. Ditch the Roku. Use the apps on the Oppo and connect your PS4 to the input of the Oppo. Use the Oppo as your preamp. |
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Post by thrillcat on Apr 11, 2019 14:08:17 GMT -5
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Post by garbulky on Apr 11, 2019 14:47:08 GMT -5
What DYohn said. 999 out of 1000 TVs will send a compressed Dolby Digital stream out through the Toslink, regardless of what you are sending in via the HDMI. At least 999, if not all 1000. You could use the HDMI extractors, or just spend the money and get a good preamp/processor. Send your sources to that, and send video out to the display. The best solution, however, has increased in price quite dramatically. Get an Oppo BDP-103 or 105. Ditch the Roku. Use the apps on the Oppo and connect your PS4 to the input of the Oppo. Use the Oppo as your preamp. I used to like this solution but I can't get behind it anymore due to cost. Streaming boxes are SO much better than the Oppo in speed and convenience. The Amazon Fire TV first gen has an optical output that does pretty well imo. Also Oppo is discontinued. I would just use a cheap blu ray player and a straming box, connect it to your DAC and control the volume with your dac, done. Unless you are having a multi-channel setup which in that case an Oppo may make sense. |
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Post by rockman85 on Apr 11, 2019 15:31:34 GMT -5
What DYohn said. 999 out of 1000 TVs will send a compressed Dolby Digital stream out through the Toslink, regardless of what you are sending in via the HDMI. At least 999, if not all 1000. You could use the HDMI extractors, or just spend the money and get a good preamp/processor. Send your sources to that, and send video out to the display. The best solution, however, has increased in price quite dramatically. Get an Oppo BDP-103 or 105. Ditch the Roku. Use the apps on the Oppo and connect your PS4 to the input of the Oppo. Use the Oppo as your preamp. I used to like this solution but I can't get behind it anymore due to cost. Streaming boxes are SO much better than the Oppo in speed and convenience. The Amazon Fire TV first gen has an optical output that does pretty well imo. Also Oppo is discontinued. I would just use a cheap blu ray player and a straming box, connect it to your DAC and control the volume with your dac, done. Unless you are having a multi-channel setup which in that case an Oppo may make sense. I've come to realize that the Roku 4 has an optical out on it, I am going to test it out tonight and compare to the tv out, this is probably this simplest (least effort) solution. Ill miss out on the PS4 audio but I can count on one hand how often I used my hifi system a month for gaming so... |
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Post by Loop 7 on Apr 11, 2019 16:01:51 GMT -5
I used to like this solution but I can't get behind it anymore due to cost. Streaming boxes are SO much better than the Oppo in speed and convenience. Agree. Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku and others have evolved so much that I no longer use a BRD player for streaming. |
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Post by garbulky on Apr 11, 2019 16:04:32 GMT -5
I used to like this solution but I can't get behind it anymore due to cost. Streaming boxes are SO much better than the Oppo in speed and convenience. The Amazon Fire TV first gen has an optical output that does pretty well imo. Also Oppo is discontinued. I would just use a cheap blu ray player and a straming box, connect it to your DAC and control the volume with your dac, done. Unless you are having a multi-channel setup which in that case an Oppo may make sense. I've come to realize that the Roku 4 has an optical out on it, I am going to test it out tonight and compare to the tv out, this is probably this simplest (least effort) solution. Ill miss out on the PS4 audio but I can count on one hand how often I used my hifi system a month for gaming so... Yes then you'll now which one is changing the signal |
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