[Marius]

Hi,

When I stream music through Airplay, it is much louder when played to my Marantz Na7004 connected to the BDA-1 (RCA) than when played to my Airport Express, connected to the same BDA-1 (Optical). Why is this?

No problem, just like to understand why, because I believed/understood there was no volume in these digital-streams.

Greetings Marius

[AvidHiker]

That's beacuse there's no level (volume) standard for these digital processors, they simply do the D/A conversion and preamplify however they please (presumably based on the designer's preferences). In case that's too technical, preamplification takes the digital signal and creates an analog (which must be amplified a bit) signal that's suitable for your equipment. Might not hurt to develop a standard, but given the variety of designs out there, maybe that's not realistic.

[Marius]

Ok.
I noticed that the volume slider when streamed through Airport Express is active and indeed changes the volume, and when played through the Marantz it is not.

Digital signal is changed before it it processed in the BDA this way. That is suboptimal...to say the least.

Thanks,
Marius

That's beacuse there's no level (volume) standard for these digital processors, they simply do the D/A conversion and preamplify however they please (presumably based on the designer's preferences). In case that's too technical, preamplification takes the digital signal and creates an analog (which must be amplified a bit) signal that's suitable for your equipment. Might not hurt to develop a standard, but given the variety of designs out there, maybe that's not realistic.

[James Tanner]

You certainly do not want to change the volume in the Digital mode so I hope these source are utilizing analog controls?

James

[Marius]

afraid not, but I'm not sure. Marantz Na7004 does not utilize the volume slider in iTunes, that is to say, it has no effect. When streaming over Airport express into the BDA, the slider does have its effect. Whether it is a digital or analog control is beyond my knowledge for now. I would think it to be digital, because the stream has to go into the BDA?

Marius

You certainly do not want to change the volume in the Digital mode so I hope these source are utilizing analog controls?

James

[James Tanner]

afraid not, but I'm not sure. Marantz Na7004 does not utilize the volume slider in iTunes, that is to say, it has no effect. When streaming over Airport express into the BDA, the slider does have its effect. Whether it is a digital or analog control is beyond my knowledge for now. I would think it to be digital, because the stream has to go into the BDA?

Marius

I would recommend using it at full volume out on the slider then if it is an important listening source for you.

[Marius]

Yep Thanks James, I am. Thought that to be the preferred choice.

Important, well, it's very convenient. Internet radio alone, especially the vTuner I mentioned earlier, is very easy on the Na7004. All other streaming is also very elegantly done, and through the BDA get a real boost.

Hope to get iTunes to get Airplay working again soon...(don't you start I-told-you-so-ing)

Greets,
Marius

I would recommend using it at full volume out on the slider then if it is an important listening source for you.