Thread: Physical Volume Control

When it comes to controlling volume in WinXP, or any OS for that matter, your introducing distortion into the audio stream anytime your not at 100% max volume...

http://extra.benchmarkmedia.com/wiki...olume_controls

Dithering can help, if available. Using AudioMulch myself, gives me the option to dither the output. But it's still a band-aid.

I like the idea of having an in-line, pre-amp ANALOG volume device...and I think I might implement something in my car in the future along this idea.

And I'm guessing the CL-RLC basically does what Windows does....digitally alter the signal.

You could even go POST-amp, with something like this...

http://www.xantech.com/products/volume_controls.htm

Just gut the hardware and knob and mount it in-dash?

What makes you think the CL-RLC isn't an in-line analogue preamp device? From the product page:

"The CL-RLC is a true, active level control preamplifier which can be used for subwoofer level control or as an audiophile-grade, full-range volume control. The CL-RLC’s differential-balanced inputs minimize the likelihood of noise.... The control knob only sends volume level signals to the preamp circuit in order to maximize fidelity and minimize the possibility of noise."

You could leave Windows at 100% volume and just have the CL-RLC control the volume. Though I'm hoping there are cheaper devices that do the same thing as it is a bit expensive

no signal passes through the CL-RLC’s control cable and knob. Instead, the control knob only sends volume level signals to the preamp circuit in order to maximize fidelity and minimize the possibility of noise.

Digital dude...

Another option might be to hack out the volume knob from and old stereo or pre-amp...

Or here is a sweet option!!
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=...evelpilot2.gif

$99 on Ebay....
And I'm sure XLR-to-RCA's wouldn't be an issue with some creative thinking...

...or make your own XLR-to-RCA cables...
http://www.mediacollege.com/audio/co...xlr-rca-1.html

Double up the RCA outputs for 4-channel setups...

...or maybe even do a 2-channel external loopback design, if the soundcard permits this.
It would have to be analog output...
This would probably be the only way to do a multi-channel setup, especially if it was an active, multi-channel setup.

Seeing as my setup uses 2 sound cards and active crossovers (9 channels with sub), I might run digital S/PDIF output to an external DAC, then 2-channel analog to the Level Pilot knob, then 2 channel out to my Xonar Line-In's, then from there, thru AudioMulch and finally to the analog output stage to the amps...
Or if Line-In can't pass-off the audio to AudioMulch, then an analog to digital convertor, then to S/PDIF IN on the sound cards...
Phew!

I'm using 2 CL-RLC , one for my active tweeters and one for my woofer...check my sig for schematics and more details...

I may buy one more for master volume control, that way i can bypass windows mixer (mangler)...

Oh, it also is a line driver, so it ups your preout voltage....

Originally Posted by pcpete

I'm using 2 CL-RLC , one for my active tweeters and one for my woofer...check my sig for schematics and more details...

I may buy one more for master volume control, that way i can bypass windows mixer (mangler)...

Oh, it also is a line driver, so it ups your preout voltage....

So basically your using the CL-RLC's for level matching your tweets and mids?

You maybe by-passing kmixer by using a CL-RLC for your master volume, but the CL-RLC is still digitally altering the signal to control the volume...
Basically putting you right back where you started.
Correct me if I'm wrong...

Not sure of the internal workings of the cl-rlc, but I believe it works like a small powered pre-amp. It is powered off the car battery.

It takes the input signal, amplifies it (line drives it?), and sends it along to the output jacks. The knob controls the amount the signal that gets amped. One thing for sure, the knob is not a pot , no audio signal is being sent to it. What and how the knob varies how much the signal gets modified, I have no idea. I doubt the signal gets digitized , volume adjusted, and then converted back to analog.

If anyone has cracked one open or has any idea of the inner workings of these units, please share..

You all have lost me now, I do plan on putting in things like steering wheel controls so should I just stick to a software controlled device to avoid confusions??