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Computer line level volume question

B

byrdmk

Member
Anyone have any idea?

I have my iMac running into the aux input of an old Pioneer SX-3600. Just a standard "y" splitter cable, the headphone out of the iMac into the aux input of the Pioneer.

I guess I have had the computer volume turned down fairly low. Today I decide to turn it all the way up and then just use the volume knob on the Pioneer to control the volume of the speakers.

It was really distorted earlier...and so far it seems if I keep the computer volume at about 50%, then I get a good sound from the Pioneer > Original Large Advents.

Are there any guidelines here? My basic question is, where should I set the computer volume and just leave it, so I can then use the Pioneer as the master volume control.

Thanks for considering this novice question!
 
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thing is with computer levels for volume there are a few variables to be taken into consideration ..if you can download a comprehensive mixer i would go that way . first turn all levels down on pc then turn amp to say 70 percent then set levels on pc mixer to distortion and back off master on pc until under distortion . and leave at that ....basically you don't want to be able to turn up anything on pc so it can distort .. say if you are running you favourite music player and it gets turned up to full it shouldn't distort at the amp
 
Absolutely. Wasn't sure if there was kind of a rule of thumb here, or just a situation I have to figure out...

Right now there is no distortion with the computer at 50% volume. I am sticking with that for now.
 
I will push the volume up to 70% and see if I get distortion. I think that the type of music I am listening to might make a difference too, but so far no matter what type it is, I am getting distortion with the computer volume at 100%.

Or, maybe I'll just hit up my turntable all day today. It's a rainy day.
 
In general, headphone outputs do not make good line outs for plugging into other amps. This includes iPods, computers, radios, etc. this is because of the amplification stage in the headphone circuit. A true line out from a computer sound card or USB dongle will normally provide a significant improvement in sound quality as it bypasses the headphone amp.

When I run an iPod into an amp, I always use a line out cable from the base of the iPod. The sound improvement is dramatically better than through the headphone jack.
 
njcanuck said:
In general, headphone outputs do not make good line outs for plugging into other amps. This includes iPods, computers, radios, etc. this is because of the amplification stage in the headphone circuit. A true line out from a computer sound card or USB dongle will normally provide a significant improvement in sound quality as it bypasses the headphone amp.

When I run an iPod into an amp, I always use a line out cable from the base of the iPod. The sound improvement is dramatically better than through the headphone jack.
Click to expand...

I agree, but if you don't mind explaining more, how do I run a USB out from my iMac and have that adapt into an A/V cable? The only audio output on my iMac is the headphone jack.

I know what you mean about the line out from the base of the ipod. How do I get a line out from my iMac? Just download some software that helps do that? What USB dongle are you talking about, is there one that is well known that I could buy?

I couldn't find a USB to A/V adapter cord. Help... ;)

I will also say that if you keep the computer volume about 50%, then it doesn't seem to tax the receiver power any more/less than my record player. So I think 50% up to I guess 70% is probably about right.
 
byrdmk,

You need a USB DAC and there's a whole gamut of them at all price points. Another option at just under $100 is to use an Apple Airport Express Base Station to stream audio from your iMac to a stereo. I have 3 of them and they sound great. Think of it as an 802.11 N wifi DAC.
 
First, always use the line-out, not the headphone output.

Second, keep the volume at 100% - electrical interference from circuits inside the computer will be present in the output, and this noise floor is constant. Using the computer's volume control will only guarantee that the external amplifier is also amplifying this excess noise.
 
As mentioned, most PC soundcards are meant to drive headphones, which is a much higher level than most receiver inputs. I'm using a Cambridge Soundworks 2.1 speaker set up on my home office PC, with included inline volume control. The software level control, is barely past the 1 level, with the Cambridge control way down too. You can buy these Cambridge Soundworks inline controllers direct, for about $20 bucks.
 
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