RaspyFi - Topic: Big volume differences with direct play (MPD) and Airplay http://www.raspyfi.com/forum/tweaks-and-optimizations/big-volume-differences-with-direct-play-mpd-and-airplay/ Simple:Press Version 5.2.6 Ste on Big volume differences with direct play (MPD) and Airplay http://www.raspyfi.com/forum/tweaks-and-optimizations/big-volume-differences-with-direct-play-mpd-and-airplay/#p2023 Tweaks and optimizations http://www.raspyfi.com/forum/tweaks-and-optimizations/big-volume-differences-with-direct-play-mpd-and-airplay/#p2023 Hi, just an answer regarding airplay.

I still didn't understand if airplay streaming is comparable to MPD playing. What is the maximum bitrate in airplay?

Thanks and greetings for the great job!

]]> Fri, 06 Dec 2013 17:15:23 +0100 tc-fi on Big volume differences with direct play (MPD) and Airplay http://www.raspyfi.com/forum/tweaks-and-optimizations/big-volume-differences-with-direct-play-mpd-and-airplay/#p1712 Tweaks and optimizations http://www.raspyfi.com/forum/tweaks-and-optimizations/big-volume-differences-with-direct-play-mpd-and-airplay/#p1712 Similar issue - volume is too loud when using iTunes/Airplay as compared to MPD.

I'm seeing that RaspyFi configures my DAC, an HRT MSII, without a softvol Master Volume control in alsa. That means the samples are sent to the DAC at 0 dB gain (??) That's ok as long as player application has very fine grained volume control. MPD seems to have fine grained volume control but iTunes does not, particularly when approaching zero-volume (silence).

iTunes volume stepping is quite coarse. More precise are the OSX and Win7 System (Master) volume controls but even those start flaking out as silence is approached. Windows is a bit better than OSX in my testing.

Also there appears to be a bug in iTunes 11 Airplay where it fail to set OSX (Mavricks) audio output device. This will screw up volume.

Another issue is whether or not a System (Master) volume control is even enabled by the OS for a given audio device including Airplay. Here are some test results with HRT MS-II DAC that show how the audio subsystems in OSX Mavricks and Windows 7 handle Master Volume assignment and Device Listing.

DAC Connection----Master Volume----Listed as Audio Device
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OSX USB----No----Yes
OSX AirFi----Yes (1)----Yes

WIN USB----Yes----Yes
WIN AirFi----No----No (2)

(1) This is a bug. The iTunes Airplay control does not automatically set Audio MIDI Setup to "use this device for audio output". This must be done manually before Master Volume control shows up.

(2) Since Airplay is not even listed as an audio device in the windows Sound control panel there will never be Master Volume control.

]]> Tue, 05 Nov 2013 07:40:25 +0100 admin on Big volume differences with direct play (MPD) and Airplay http://www.raspyfi.com/forum/tweaks-and-optimizations/big-volume-differences-with-direct-play-mpd-and-airplay/#p1132 Tweaks and optimizations http://www.raspyfi.com/forum/tweaks-and-optimizations/big-volume-differences-with-direct-play-mpd-and-airplay/#p1132 Not yet, but we'll add in next release...

]]> Wed, 18 Sep 2013 13:40:29 +0200 jdefockert on Big volume differences with direct play (MPD) and Airplay http://www.raspyfi.com/forum/tweaks-and-optimizations/big-volume-differences-with-direct-play-mpd-and-airplay/#p1115 Tweaks and optimizations http://www.raspyfi.com/forum/tweaks-and-optimizations/big-volume-differences-with-direct-play-mpd-and-airplay/#p1115 Hi all,

Ilreally like the distribution, I am running it with a model B and a Musical Fidelity V90DAC and ALAC files shared from a NAS (wired ethernet).

There are still some occasional cracks and pops particulary when the database is being updated.

I notice that there is big volume difference between playing the files directly through MPD or Airplay (Airplay Volume is maximized).

Directplay is a lot louder than Airplay which is annoying when switching between the two.

Is there some setting in MPD or Shairport where I can set the volumes to avoid waking the neighbours Wink

Thank you in advance.

Kind regards,

Jasper

]]> Tue, 17 Sep 2013 18:08:37 +0200