If you have the availability of software attenuation, i.e. ROONs media playback software offers the option, then you will want to compare use of the software volume control versus the hardware volume control.
Results will vary on performance, and there is no telling prior which will be superior. I always compare the two regardless of which integrated DAC is being used. Results are not universal; with one integrated DAC the software vol. control yields a superior result, while a different integrated DAC I use yields an opposite result, and is far better with the hardware vol. control and the software output fixed. You simply must try them both.
Beware that if you are not careful, a software volume control can be bumped, touched and send the system into max output. Caution is necessary when using such attenuation. However, dedicated DAC direct to amp is always cleaner, if not fuller. YMMV
I strongly recommend the addition of SONORE's systemOptique to convert Etherent signal to optical, as it drops the noise carried on Ethernet. Striking change, improvement. See my article about it at Dagogo.com
I have no interest in arguing with people about "bits" and resolution, etc. Superior performance is easy to hear.
Results will vary on performance, and there is no telling prior which will be superior. I always compare the two regardless of which integrated DAC is being used. Results are not universal; with one integrated DAC the software vol. control yields a superior result, while a different integrated DAC I use yields an opposite result, and is far better with the hardware vol. control and the software output fixed. You simply must try them both.
Beware that if you are not careful, a software volume control can be bumped, touched and send the system into max output. Caution is necessary when using such attenuation. However, dedicated DAC direct to amp is always cleaner, if not fuller. YMMV
I strongly recommend the addition of SONORE's systemOptique to convert Etherent signal to optical, as it drops the noise carried on Ethernet. Striking change, improvement. See my article about it at Dagogo.com
I have no interest in arguing with people about "bits" and resolution, etc. Superior performance is easy to hear.