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    Max volume in program or globally in windows produces better sound?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by Brawn, Mar 12, 2011.

  1. Brawn

    Brawn The Awesome

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    Hi,

    was just wondering if audio processed through, lets say winamp, first goes through the volume level of "windows" or "winamp", and whether which is set at maximum affects sound quality

    for example, you get better sound quality if you set the volume of windows to maximum and then only adjust the volume of an attached analogue amp

    so my question is does the sound get "amp'ed" first through windows, or through winamp, and if it makes a difference
     
    Brawn, Mar 12, 2011
    #1
  2. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Try?

    -> I'm pretty sure with foobar it makes zero difference as foobar doesn't actively amplify the sound. I'm not sure Windows does either actually, I think the maximum sound level will just 1:1 reproduce the sound level of the file, but I might be wrong.

    -> Now Winamp might actually amplify the sound at maximum, I'm not sure there, but in that case it would be better to max out Windows first unless the amplification is done via a good algorithm.
     
    DetlevCM, Mar 12, 2011
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  3. Brawn

    Brawn The Awesome

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    unfortunately i cannot tell the difference in sound quality if i test this myself on my laptop

    it's more of a theoretical question, may not have any practical use for me :)
     
    Brawn, Mar 13, 2011
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  4. shakennstirred

    shakennstirred Notebook Evangelist

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    shouldnt make any difference
     
    shakennstirred, Mar 13, 2011
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  5. qhn

    qhn Notebook User

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    Windows only makes audio drivers available to media apps. Sound quality depends on system speakers - software can only do so much.

    So to your query - yes (to the placebo effect of media apps) and no (to better sound via 3rd party apps)

    cheers ...
     
    qhn, Mar 13, 2011
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  6. namaiki

    namaiki "basically rocks" Super Moderator

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    Technically, I believe you need max volume in both digital volume mixers (winamp and windows) and running WASAPI output for 'untouched' audio. Otherwise the audio will be resampled. (not that you will necessarily be able to tell the difference)
     
    namaiki, Mar 13, 2011
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  7. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

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    WASAPI/Kernel streaming will access the sound device directly and skip the Windows Mixer, so you just need to max out the digital volume on the app.

    Windows Mixer and other sound processing will reduce the quality. Kernel streaming is needed to achieve bit perfect playback
     
    flipfire, Mar 13, 2011
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