Jump to content
IGNORED

Where are the computer-controlled DACs, amplifiers and preamps?


Recommended Posts

I've been an on-and-off audiophile for many years, and since retiring a few years back have devoted more attention to the hobby: reading the magazines, following this forum and others, buying some new equipment, digitizing many years of CDs.

 

What I'm wondering is this: why can't I control the volume of the music I'm playing from the same computer I used to select the file that's playing? Why can't I choose among sources from the computer, instead of walking across the room to the preamp to switch sources?

 

Maybe I'm missing a whole line of equipment. Or maybe having Ethernet or wifi in the same box as the amp/preamp would hurt sound quality. If so, please educate me!

Link to comment

I can...

 

Using Naim NAC-N 272 the same app (all be it on iOS device) can control volume and input selection as well as selecting what music to play. If I attach a Naim CD player the app can control that too.

 

Same works if you combine a Naim streamer and pre-amp.

Eloise

---

...in my opinion / experience...

While I agree "Everything may matter" working out what actually affects the sound is a trickier thing.

And I agree "Trust your ears" but equally don't allow them to fool you - trust them with a bit of skepticism.

keep your mind open... But mind your brain doesn't fall out.

Link to comment
Sweet setup, thanks. But what about speaker/amp volume?

As I said; the App controls volume too.

Eloise

---

...in my opinion / experience...

While I agree "Everything may matter" working out what actually affects the sound is a trickier thing.

And I agree "Trust your ears" but equally don't allow them to fool you - trust them with a bit of skepticism.

keep your mind open... But mind your brain doesn't fall out.

Link to comment
why can't I control the volume of the music I'm playing from the same computer I used to select the file that's playing?

 

Ideally you want a DAC with USB HID volume control. Some do, but not all....

 

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f6-dac-digital-analog-conversion/digital-analogue-converter-pre-support-universal-serial-bus-industry-standard-cables-connectors-and-communications-protocols-between-computers-and-electronic-devices-hid-volume-control-27174/

Mac Mini > RME ADI-2 DAC > Hypex Ncore monoblocks > ATC SCM-11 speakers & C1 subwoofer

Link to comment

UPnP or DLNA have volume control messaging too, but it depends if the Renderer is using this function. So I do exactly that using my Lumin or Kazoo apps on the iPad. The whole library at your fingertips and volume control (analog not digital!) Works great.

Link to comment
I've been an on-and-off audiophile for many years, and since retiring a few years back have devoted more attention to the hobby: reading the magazines, following this forum and others, buying some new equipment, digitizing many years of CDs.

 

What I'm wondering is this: why can't I control the volume of the music I'm playing from the same computer I used to select the file that's playing? Why can't I choose among sources from the computer, instead of walking across the room to the preamp to switch sources?

 

Maybe I'm missing a whole line of equipment. Or maybe having Ethernet or wifi in the same box as the amp/preamp would hurt sound quality. If so, please educate me!

 

The technology's there. I recently purchased a Yamaha AV receiver which can be entirely controlled from an app.

 

My guess is that small- and medium-sized audiophile companies invest their R&D into getting their product sonically right, rather than paying geeks to write software.

Front End: Neet Airstream

Digital Processing: Chord Hugo M-Scaler

DAC: Chord Dave

Amplification: Cyrus Mono x300 Signatures

Speakers: Kudos Titan T88

Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now



×
×
  • Create New...