The truth about Apple/iTunes volume control?

Well, it's a USB DAC that I like and I'd prefer not to start talking about how I'm "having trouble" with it unless that's a crucial question here. I'd really like to just focus on the general question of volume control on iTunes/Macs.

I'm a little taken aback that the identity of my DAC has drawn such feverish speculation. Thanks for all the interest, but I'm just wondering whether turning down the volume slightly on the Mac's overall volume control and/or the iTunes volume control can be done without losing bits, and thus solve my problem. Am I grossly oversimplifying this?

Robr45- I don't see what's "completely bizarre" about being reluctant to drag a manufacturer's name into a discussion thread where a lot of folks seem to think there's a scandal brewing. In my humble opinion, your hifalutin tone is what's bizarre. On the other hand, your earlier post was extremely helpful. Thanks for that, whether I deserved it or not.

Ed - thanks for the comments! The "native level" talk was confusing for me too - I was told it's the volume setting your Macbook has when you first turn it on, which is about 40% for the computer itself and 50% for iTunes. So the idea would be that if you've got both settings at at least 60% or 70% you're safe. That's what I was told by a colleague, and it seems to be corroborated by what a lot of folks on this thread are saying.

To answer your question - yes, the DAC shows up as an output option on my midi setup, and the volume control does work with it.

Cutter - thanks, and to your point I think I've either got a problem with the DAC chip, or the power supply that's feeding it!

Jax2 - Above all, thanks for your very valuable and generous commentary here! I don't mean to be coy about all of this. Your "car talk" analogy is quite apt, and I understand how you might be a little exasperated at my reticence about the dac. I guess I'm just being a little protective of a manufacturer that I like, whether that's appropriate in a forum where everybody is looking to learn, I'm not totally sure.

To your point, I did ask the manufacturer who "needs protecting," and the manufacturer suggested turning down the volume to solve the problem.

So, now I guess it's legitimate to ask - is that a totally bogus response from a manufacturer? Should I "out" this manufacturer once and for all for the shoddy operation that it is?

Seriously, thanks to all for the input.

Jax - Yes, was tongue-in-cheek on that last question. No insinuations, no aspersions. Honestly. Thanks for the advice. Over and out.