DAC distortion. Interesting video

[Donuk]

I found this on Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBKDe0s69lc&t=6s

Is there any way of reducing the modulation of the digital signal by 3db as it leaves Minim before it reaches the DAC of one's streamer?

Sorry if a stupid question.

Donuk

[simoncn]

You can do this by using MinimStreamer transcoding with the stream.options property set to this value:

convOut=-af volume=-3dB

[Donuk]

(09-09-2026 21:18)simoncn Wrote:  You can do this by using MinimStreamer transcoding with the stream.options property set to this value:

convOut=-af volume=-3dB

Wow! Brilliant - must give it a try!

[Donuk]

So, I have tried it!
I put in the above code into Minim using Minimwatch.
I rebooted my old Melco N/1A which contains the Minim software. It needed time for a quick rescan.
I rebooted my Linn Klimax DS (old style with organic) for luck.
And listened to some tracks I know well.

And it all sounded better. Not day and night, but better.
Instruments sounded more separated; things sound slightly clearer, but not brighter. And bass sounds a bit deeper without being louder.

I had been prepared the whole to be a bit reduced in volume but this appears not to be the case.

Do try it on your system - you never know, you might have an upgrade for free thanks to good old Minim.

Satisfied customer, York.

[simoncn]

When you tried this, what setting did you have for stream.transcode?

Before you tried this, were you using MinimStreamer transcoding with the same stream.transcode setting?

[Donuk]

I had nothing in the stream option property settings.
Then I put in the settings you gave above.
Donuk

[simoncn]

My question was about the stream.transcode property. If this isn't set, there is no transcoding and no volume reduction. My apologies for not making this clear in my original response.

[Donuk]

Sorry to be thick…
But what should I put in as stream.transcode property?
Something like *:wav?
Donuk

[simoncn]

You shouldn't use *:wav because the * means 'network streams of unspecified type.'

If you have flac files, you should use use flac:wav; or flac:wav24; (the semicolon is important). If you have mp3 files, you should use mp3:wav or mp3:wav24. If you have m4a or mp4 files, you should use mp4:wav or mp4:wav24. For a full list of supported filetypes, see this section.

If you have a mix of filetypes, use multiple settings separated by commas, for example:

flac:wav24;, mp3:wav24, mp4:wav24

[Stake]

A typical case of self-deception on the basis of YT-nonsense.
Quod erat demonstrandum.