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AUDIO FORUMS >> Digital >> Volume - analogue component or Roon's "Device"?
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Message started by RY on 08/29/26 at 04:57:12

Title: Volume - analogue component or Roon's "Device"?
Post by RY on 08/29/26 at 04:57:12

Hello fellow obsessives of musical alchemy,

I write asking for advice on volume adjustment on my digital stream. I currently have been using Roon’s volume adjustment for music listening, “device volume”, using my nagra streamer’s device volume to lower the volume from 100%.

This I think has sounded alright. Though I wonder as my system is reaching a very delicious degree of resolution, if I should consider a different device to control my volume…. Hoping that a device that sits just before my amp that solely controls volume with a remote, would sound better than Roon’s device volume with my nagra streamer.

What do you all think? Do you use Roon’s “device volume” without any sound deficit? Or do you use an analogue volume adjustment device right before your amp?

My setup:

Nagra Streamer —> Soulenote D1 DAC —> Decware Zbit 2 —> Decware Zrock 3 —> Decware 300b Zen Amp —> Pure Audio Project Duet 15 horns

What do you all think?

I asked google’s ai, and was recommended the following (as a point of departure for this conversersation… )

The three best ways to achieve this without harming your system's sound quality include:

1. High-End Remote Passive Preamps (The Purest Approach)
A premium passive preamplifier uses no active electronics or power in the signal path, meaning it introduces zero solid-state or extra tube coloration. It only acts as an analog attenuator.
* Bent Audio Tap-X / Tortuga Audio LDRx: These utilize Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) technology. LDRs change their resistance based on light from an internal LED, eliminating mechanical sweepers entirely. They offer unmatched micro-dynamic preservation and come with a remote control.
* Khozmo Acoustic Passive Preamp: Khozmo builds bespoke passive controllers using a high-precision stepped attenuator driven by a silent internal motor. You can order them with high-end Vishay or Takman resistors. It acts like a luxury extension of the volume knobs you already have, operated purely via remote.

2. High-Performance Transformer Volume Controllers (TVC)
TVCs use custom-wound audio transformers rather than resistors to lower the volume. Instead of wasting the extra voltage as heat (like standard potentiometers do), a TVC steps down the voltage while stepping up the current.
* Music First Audio or BesCustom TVCs: These are highly favored by Decware owners. Because they match impedances perfectly between the ZROCK3's output and the 300B's input, they prevent the dynamic "squish" or high-frequency roll-off that cheap passive devices suffer from. Motorized remote options are available upon request. [1]

3. Active "Super-Transparent" Solid State Buffer
If you are worried that a passive device might slightly reduce the driving energy of the ZROCK3, you want a unit that provides buffering without color. [1]

Topping Pre90
$799.00
4.0
(1)
Parts Express& more
While this is solid-state, it measures with historic, ultra-low levels of distortion and noise (effectively invisible to the human ear). It uses a relay-controlled resistor network for volume adjustments, features a remote, and is widely praised for being an absolute "straight wire with gain" that lets the upstream tube magic pass through completely unaffected.

Title: Re: Volume - analogue component or Roon's "Device"?
Post by Ghostship on 08/29/26 at 11:39:17

The short answer is Yes, using the Roon software-based volume control will degrade your sound quality.

You already have gain (volume) control for each channel on the Sarah 300b, as well as additional gain controls on the ZRock3, so no, you do not need anything else.

Unless what you are trying to accomplish is adjusting the volume while remaining seated in the listening position....then yes, some type of pre-amplifier with a remote-controlled analog gain (volume) will very likely sound better than using Roon's volume control.

Title: Re: Volume - analogue component or Roon's
Post by CAJames on 08/29/26 at 21:57:38

I agree. I don't stream but I use an Intel NUC with Volumio to play files and my experience is software volume control definitely degrades the sound relative to no volume control and using the knob on my preamp. Of course it doesn't cost you anything to experiment for yourself.

FWIW this is my remote control.

Seriously.

Title: Re: Volume - analogue component or Roon's "Device"?
Post by Donnie on 08/30/26 at 00:37:39

The greatest invention of mankind to us that are over sixty!

All it does is raise or lower the volume, nothing fancy.

Title: Re: Volume - analogue component or Roon's "Device"?
Post by RY on 08/30/26 at 02:46:10

does anyone have any experience with passive preamps with remotes, such as this:

https://luminousaudio.com/collections/axiom-ii-passive-preamp/products/axiom-ii-passive-preamp-walker-mod-with-remote-rca

??

and yes, I find (with neighbors in nyc and kiddos and my lady running around the house at times) that I am constantly adjusting volume while listening....

thanks all!
r.