Volume (audio): VLC vs Stereo player

[marksealey]

VLC 2.0.1 on 10.7.3 using AirFoil and Airport Express to a ParaSound stereo system.

Should I expect distortion if I adjust the VLC Volume Slider to the right - even with FLAC files?

What's best practice to balance controlling volume when outputting to stereo equipment (with its own volume control, of course)?

I'm used to maximizing volume at source - in this case VLC and adjusting on external equipment accordingly. In this case, too high a volume in VLC induces distortion?

Is this documented anywhere, please?

+ what's the role/purpose of the VLC Effects > Filter Volume normalization, please?

TIA

[kdean]

100% or less shouldn't introduce distortion. You can go higher that 100% because some sources are lower than normal and need the extra boost.

[marksealey]

Thanks, kdean; but - I can't see a scale (%) in the slider at bottom right of the main window.

Is some distortion normal, to be expected - even with FLAC?

Or are you referring to the Virtualisation slider?

How should I set about getting maximum volume with zero distortion, which control (VLC or pre-amp) should i set first? And to what level?

…help appreciated!

[kdean]

100% is half way across the volume slider. You should see percentages on screen if you use Command-Up Arrow or Command-Down Arrow. Commands also shown under the Audio menu.

So, by having the volume slider all the way over to the right, you're at 200% and will very likely have distortion with audio that's recorded near 100% normally.

[marksealey]

Thanks; that makes perfect sense.

Does 100% imply some sort of parity, then; some sort of guarantee of no distortion?