Rockbox Technical Forums

Support and General Use => Audio Playback, Database and Playlists => Topic started by: michael.conner on September 01, 2007, 08:43:28 PM

Title: sansa e200 comparatively quiet compared to other targets?
Post by: michael.conner on September 01, 2007, 08:43:28 PM

Have noticed that when using builds r14559-070831 and r14530-070830, my new e250 is much quieter than my Gigabeat at similar volumes.

My settings on both the sansa and the gigabeat = crossfeed off, replaygain on, replaygain in "track mode if shuffling," eq off.  To match the Gigabeat @ -25dB (too loud for quiet indoor listening), I have to turn the Sansa up to -15dB.

Are the volume scales on different targets supposed to match up?  Or is this simply a case of the Sansa build being still a bit young?

Title: Re: sansa e200 comparatively quiet compared to other targets?
Post by: AlexP on September 02, 2007, 06:06:21 AM

The volume scales are relative to line level at 0 dB, not absolute.

Title: Re: sansa e200 comparatively quiet compared to other targets?
Post by: michael.conner on September 02, 2007, 08:57:31 AM

Thanks for the clarification.  

Title: Re: sansa e200 comparatively quiet compared to other targets?
Post by: woodensoul on September 04, 2007, 12:42:11 AM

I have several Rockbox targets and the Sansa does seem to be the quietest by far, tested at full volume into the auxiliary input on my car deck.  I assume this is just do to lack of power in the amp in the Sansa.  Can anyone confirm?

Title: Re: sansa e200 comparatively quiet compared to other targets?
Post by: senab on September 14, 2007, 01:51:14 PM

I can definetly confirm this. It's definetly seems to be a rockbox issue too, as the OF is much louder in both 'normal' and 'loud' volume settings.

Title: Re: sansa e200 comparatively quiet compared to other targets?
Post by: Llorean on September 14, 2007, 02:04:33 PM

Just as a note, the volume being louder in the original firmware doesn't actually prove anything. You can make the volume louder in Rockbox by applying digital gain, but that doesn't change what the analog gain range is.

So, while something may still be wrong with the hardware setup in Rockbox, please don't say it's "definitely" an issue unless you're prepared to show that either the original firmware applies no digital gain (unlikely as the Loud setting is almost certainly applying, or adding more, digital gain, and as you can't get the volume as soft in the OF as in Rockbox, it's quite possible they've already added some in the normal mode) or that you know what needs to be changed in the hardware use.

Title: Re: sansa e200 comparatively quiet compared to other targets?
Post by: senab on September 14, 2007, 03:21:08 PM

I may have been a little rash with my choice of adjectives, I was simply trying to show the (obvious, I know) difference in volume between the firmwares.

I have some low impedance headphones (E2C's - 16Ohms) and I have to crank the volume to around -6db at home, and if I'm out and about then 0db+ is necessary (with my old iPod, volumes: ~-20db and ~-10db respectively). I haven't used my Sansa in my car yet but I'm guessing i'm going to have to really crank up my car stereo too.

Might have to try the PreAmp...