PS AUDIO PERFECT WAVE MKII

01-16-15: Aolmrd1241
Knghifi, according to Ted Smith of PS Audio,it does not matter where the volume level is,the DS will not lose any bits digitally.

From PS Audio forums. Ted Smith quote below...

The DS doesn't loose bits digitally no matter what the volume is set to. Still there's an analog noise floor so if you never have the volume set above, say 60, you'd be better off to use the 20dB attenuator and have the volume up nearer 100. Since the 20dB attenuator is implemented passively in analog it lowers the analog noise floor by, well, 20dB.

Also, FWIW, there's nothing special about 100, e.g. 93 (or any volume setting that works for you) will not cause any less accuracy anywhere in the DS than you get with the volume at 100.

Interesting! Thanks.

Volume level-resolution characteristics for the Directstream don't necessarily apply to the PWD MKII.

Bsme85, if Directstream volume control is implemented in the digital domain, I don't understand how bits are not truncated if not running full volume.

If I remember correctly, in the PWD MKII running singled ended, you can attenuate the volume 20db at 3 different levels. This enables you to run full volume and not truncate any bits. To clarify, when I say 100, it means full volume.