Operating System volume vs Speaker volume

Use the speakers as the attenuator. Since the computer is the source, it would benefit the signal-chain for it to send as much information digitally to the speakers as possible.

 

You will get the best sound if you run the digital computer controls to 100% and use analog volume controls on the speaker's built-in amplifier.

THe reason is the digital signal has a fixed number of bits and it works out that a digital volume control has to reduce the number of bits, reducing the dynamic range at the same time. This is physics and logic, not something that can be corrected with engineering so it applies to the most expensive and cheapest systems.

This is the theory at least, will you hear the difference? Maybe not because we don't seem to care if music played very softly has good dynamic range.

Also practically we can't leave all the digital controls at 100% So the best thing is to reduce the volume on the amplifier to the point where the system volume is generally kept fairly high

 

Although what you say above is correct, the specialized advice from a number of DAC manufacturers (like Nuforce) is to follow the "lowest noise rule", while the main control is performed via the amplifier/speaker itself - and yes, all digital knobs (iTunes, System Volume, Audirvana etc.) should be at 100% at all times.

https://www.nuforce.com/index.php?o...controlwhatisthebestsettingforeach&Itemid=219