What is the best way to control the volume?

[verycd]

It is said that the volume control in the Touch is manipulated digitally before line level out. I am wondering, when the analogue line out is in use, if it is better to keep the volume on the Touch in the middle (default, I guess) and control volume via receiver/amplifier or at the max on the Touch. Which method has less distortion/better sound quality and more efficient performance. I suspect keeping the volume at max is never good even on the Touch. It may also force the Touch work "very hard". However, I don't know for sure.

[Mnyb]

kepping the Touch's volume at 100% would not make it " work hard " it's a line level source.
the Touch itself has it lovest noise levels and distorsion at 100%, aka s/n ratio.

the systems total gain stagin is also a question of which amp and preamp and speakers and room is involved, but to make it simple if Touch does not overload the amp or preamp at 100% there is no problem, Touch is a typical circa 2v volt source similar with many cd players.

Use your normal volume control, Touch is a versitile device it has volume controll, but you don't always need it, it is also used with replaygain tags and it's use in a squeezeboxes ( a way to keep songs at similar level an optional function that you can use or not )

[Mnyb]

Fyi the volume works on the digital out to

[verycd]

Thank you, Mnyb.

If I set the volume at 100% on the Touch (not the "fixed maximum volume") and select "smart gain", will the touch still be able to adjust the volume automatically?

[Mnyb]

Thank you, Mnyb.

If I set the volume at 100% on the Touch (not the "fixed maximum volume") and select "smart gain", will the touch still be able to adjust the volume automatically?

Yes, smart gain works "down" against a reference level as you can't go over "100%" aka the max bitlength.

so in general most tracks would sound a bit lover in volume and older or better recordings ( better dynamic range ) will get higher volume to sound at similar level. but at a lower reference level to make sure that no digital clipping occur.

But it think it so that "fixed maximum level" and "smartgain" can work together ?
Maxvolume smartgain and fade is independent.

if you for example want bitperfect output on the digital output you turn of all 3 these functions.

As you noticed this is a per player settings, one of my players is completely fixed the rest use thier volume

[Beech]

I would recommend leaving the volume full up on the Touch and do the controlling on your amp.

[verycd]

Ok. I will set the Touch at fixed maximum volume and smart gain at the same time then.

[Phil Leigh]

Thank you, Mnyb.

If I set the volume at 100% on the Touch (not the "fixed maximum volume") and select "smart gain", will the touch still be able to adjust the volume automatically?

Yes provided you have replay gain tags in your files.

[Phil Leigh]

It is said that the volume control in the Touch is manipulated digitally before line level out. I am wondering, when the analogue line out is in use, if it is better to keep the volume on the Touch in the middle (default, I guess) and control volume via receiver/amplifier or at the max on the Touch. Which method has less distortion/better sound quality and more efficient performance. I suspect keeping the volume at max is never good even on the Touch. It may also force the Touch work "very hard". However, I don't know for sure.

It's not "said",it's fact.
Generally you want to keep the Touch volume high and the volume of any subsequent pre-amp low. Keeping the volume high is ALWAYS good, unless you have a pre-amp with very sensitive inputs, in which case the solution is to use in-line attenuators.

[verycd]

Thanks, Phil,

I guess no "facts" can be communicated without being "said" in one way or another. My barbarian ears can't tell the difference between different volume settings so the facts were not heard but heard about. That is way I was asking.