Volume Control(s)

[SeVeReD]

From a post about the "Memory Player" PeterSt says "...Oh, but I can tell you that with 32 bits that's perfectly allowed *and* far better than an analogue volume...".  http://www.phasure.com/index.php?topic=91.msg1032#msg1032

Are you planing to add volume control to the player, (that I assume won't ruin SQ)?  That would be great for me.  At the moment, for me to change volume I have to adjust 4 knobs.  I've gotten pretty good at it, but still a bit of a pain.  The one thing nice about adjusting four volumes is I can dial in balance very well and have learned that quite a few albums "lean" to one side or another.

My suggestion/hope would be that you might create a digital volume control for each channel with very fine gradations... not like most balance controls that are too big a leap in volume to be useful.  Perhaps you could "lock" the two together for those that don't want the hassle and an "unlock" feature for those that would like to tweak?  Just throwing it out to you PeterSt.

[PeterSt]

How many steps do you think there are in 32 bits ? hahahaha too many to write down.

But no, it can't happen. Not without loosing on SQ. The point is, you don't have a 32bit DAC ...
With 24 bits it becomes "kind of" possible, but you'd have to play at over 12:00 of your normal volume knob at least.

Anyway, it sure is (more longer term) planned to do the things you ask, and all of them are not difficult. Note though that it will put constraints to your environment, and that all is one big knot which is *very* difficult to workout decently / sufficiently. One example to get you going :

My Fireface has ADAT channels, meaning that I can send 8 channels (2 x 4) to that soundcard, the soundcard distributing them to all the preamps or main amps (you'd want the latter) (thinking in terms of per loudspeaker channels (with crossovers)). Nice eh ?

Yeah well, I can do that only if I use the DACs from the soundcard. And I really won't ...
So I'd need 4 stereo DACs. And 4 x (x 2) digital-out from the ADAT supporting device. I won't buy those DACs and the Fireface does not support all the digital-outs.

But the time will come that this is all going to work ...

[SeVeReD]

How many steps do you think there are in 32 bits ? hahahaha too many to write down.

But no, it can't happen. Not without loosing on SQ. The point is, you don't have a 32bit DAC ...
With 24 bits it becomes "kind of" possible, but you'd have to play at over 12:00 of your normal volume knob at least.

Anyway, it sure is (more longer term) planned to do the things you ask, and all of them are not difficult. Note though that it will put constraints to your environment, and that all is one big knot which is *very* difficult to workout decently / sufficiently. One example to get you going :

My Fireface has ADAT channels, meaning that I can send 8 channels (2 x 4) to that soundcard, the soundcard distributing them to all the preamps or main amps (you'd want the latter) (thinking in terms of per loudspeaker channels (with crossovers)). Nice eh ?

Yeah well, I can do that only if I use the DACs from the soundcard. And I really won't ...
So I'd need 4 stereo DACs. And 4 x (x 2) digital-out from the ADAT supporting device. I won't buy those DACs and the Fireface does not support all the digital-outs.

But the time will come that this is all going to work ...

mmmm
that sounds nice
I'm using the Pass Labs electronic xover right now (hence the 4 analog vol knobs), and it works pretty well at letting me choose a ton of different xover points and vol settings... but putting them all in the digital range with good dacs going straight to the amps would sound even better.... someday.