ios/ipad digital output level

Discussion in 'Computer Audiophile: Software, Configs, Tools' started by Noodlz, Jun 15, 2020.

  1. Noodlz

    Noodlz Almost "Made"

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    so i’m connecting my ipad to my melodiius mxu8 >Modi Multibit >cth amp, playing from the apple music app, and i realized a couple things:

    1. i can control the volume on the ipad (strange... id expect the digital out to not be able to adjust volume at all)

    2. the level seems a bit hot. if i dial the volume down by two on the ipad then it seems better. (i can turn up the cth past 9 without feeling like i’m going to damage my ears) i can’t help but feel that this decrease the quality somewhat tho.

    question - am i doing something wrong? what’s the proper way of setting this up for the proper level? (for reference i end up listing to the cth at around 7-8 o clock, 9 and it becomes too much for me (when at max volume from the ipad)

    edit: connecting my iPad to my tascam 2x2 audio interface it behaves like it should, meaning volume is stable / unadjustable from the iPad and the signal doesn’t sound too hot. This makes me wonder if its like an apple MFI usb requirements thing? I also tried connecting it directly to the modi Multibit and the issue remains where the signal is hot and volume can be adjusted on the iPad.

    Does anyone know if there’s a USB cleaner or USB>spdif interface that would play nice with iOS to give it proper digital out without volume adjustments showing up?
     
    Last edited: Jun 16, 2020
  2. Jay

    Jay Facebook Friend

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    Everything I've ever read said that it's recommended to set your digital volume to max and then adjust the analog volume pot to your personal preference. I've tried to do some tests with my gear, and I've never been able to tell the difference except for maybe some placebo or confirmation bias. One time, I inadvertently decreased my digital volume and never knew any different until I caught it.

    I suppose the one benefit of maxing out the digital volume is you won't have to increase the amp's volume, thereby keeping the audible noise at a lower volume. But, today's amps are so good you can't hear the noise at normal listening volume.

    I use the Pure i20 dock for my iPod Classic, but it's the 30-pin flavor. I've yet to find a lightning dock of the same function.

    You could get the lightning camera adapter and run usb from your iPad into the Modi. That might lesson some of the hot volume.

    I guess in this long-winded reply, you're not doing anything wrong or harmful by turning down your digital volume.
     
  3. Noodlz

    Noodlz Almost "Made"

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    thanks~ actually did try out the cck kit but didn’t help. i did manage to find these (harrison?) -12db attenuators that i had before when i had my super 7 and needed to tone that down, seems to work ok i guess i can live with this for now lol

    would much prefer to know that the ipad is outputting optimally. though i’ve been reading up the whole pi2aes thing, so maybe i’ll go that route instead
     
  4. Jay

    Jay Facebook Friend

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    I'd assume your iPad is outputting within spec. It's been my experience that Apple and iOS do their own things, often against the popular grain. They spec things out with the lowest common denominator for how the majority of users will operate it. For example, my Apple TV still won't do true 24.000 fps correctly (it properly handles 23.97 fps) because the majority of users won't bother to change it from 60 fps. Judder be damned.

    One thing popped in my mind, could be completely off base. Since Apple starting moving away from headphone jacks in favor of bluetoorh and the lightning to 3.5 mm dongle, I bet they increased the volume settings. People like their music loud and probably wanted more headroom, and they also probably assumed most people wouldn't be using the lightning port to feed a usb dac. Also, a quick search informed me several users find Apple's minimum bluetooth volume to be too hot. Maybe it's all related. Maybe not.
     
  5. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I currently use an iPod touch 7 with cck adapter and when connected to my RDAC I’m able to control the volume (iFi dac/amps on the other hand lock the volume) and at full volume my THX 789 amp distorts. I have to turn it down just a bit. It definitely bothers me to have to do this and that the volume isn’t locked but I guess it’s a good thing it’s not locked this way I can avoid the overly loud signal from making the 789 distort.

    so you’re not alone in your observations. The output from the cck adapter must be on loud side.
     

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