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[uvrmd]

I'm using MC on a headless Mac Mini controlled via JRemote on an iPad Mini.  The Mac Mini outputs via USB to my Meitner MA-1, which then runs into my Jeff Rowland Concentra integrated amp.  I use the Rowland's volume control, but am considering replacing it with a standalone amp and using MC to control the volume.  The only issue I have is that I have quite a few DSD files and have heard that MC's volume control does not work with DSD.  Is this the case?  If so, are there any plans to rectify this?

[6233638]

You cannot adjust the volume if you are bitstreaming. (DSD or other formats)
If you are outputting PCM, Media Center's volume control will work.

[uvrmd]

Why is this the case? Can this be rectified through an update?

[glynor]

No.  Because the very concept of bitstreaming is that MC does not decode the source audio and sends it to the DAC as-is, which means, there is no way for it to alter the volume level of the source.

If you have MC decode the audio, and output PCM (in-other-words, high-quality uncompressed digital audio, just like your DAC produces) then it can do this, and does it with a very high-quality digital volume control.

But, if you bypass the entire MC audio engine by bitstreaming, then it cannot, by design, alter the audio in any way.

[uvrmd]

I see.  Does outputting in PCM overide the benefits of DSD and bitstreaming?

[6233638]

It depends - do you hear an improvement or change in the sound when bitstreaming DSD? (thought it might simply get louder depending on your DAC)  I don't with my DAC.
 
I don't really care about formats, only getting the best sounding version of an album, regardless of what format that may be in.

[InflatableMouse]

You can output as DSD, either native or DoP?

In the process it is converted to 64-bit 768kHz PCM to make volume adjustments etc.

Don't forget the configure the DSD input filter plugin.

[uvrmd]

Correct this if wrong, but in his review of the Grace Design M905, John Marks had this to say:

"In the case of DSD, the DoP standard (DSD over PCM) allows DSD data to be 'packed' into a 176.4kHz PCM stream. That way, the computer 'thinks' it's sending PCM audio, which is included in the USB Audio Class Specification. The XMOS chip 'unpacks' the DSD data from the PCM frames and sends it on to the DAC in DSD form."

The Meitner uses the XMOS chip, so I'm assuming this is possible with the MA-1.  If so, how do I enable the DoP with MC?

[glynor]

If so, how do I enable the DoP with MC?

See attached.

[uvrmd]

Thanks!  I'll give it a shot.

[uvrmd]

In output encoding I selected DSD in DoP format, but am still not able to control the volume.  Do I also have to check off Out Fomat, Volume Leveling, Adaptive Volume and Room Correction?