Airplay & Digital Volume Control?

[bellang]

Hi, wondered if anyone, or probably everyone, was more well versed than me in the control of volume in Airplay...

If I use Apple TV 2 as an Airplay device, connected to an Amp/Receiver/TV, and I then control the volume of the music through iTunes this presumably alters the digital level of the audio in order for Airplay to do this. I believe this is undesirable for music quality as your changing the original waveform information.

My understanding is that the best way for volume control is at the analogue level. So my question is, if you have an Airplay Amp/Device, is the digital volume ignored and only the analogue level changed as its all being done on the same device?

I'm looking at maybe getting an Airplay enable Receiver, though already have an ATV2 so could potentially just connect that to a non-networked receiver. But wanting to get the best possible sound quality (on a budget), wanted to avoid the digital signal being amended.

Thanks for any help.

 

[n0dder]

So my question is, if you have an Airplay Amp/Device, is the digital volume ignored and only the analogue level changed as its all being done on the same device?

From what I can see in the below video, AirPlay devices are able to adjust Volume "the Right Way (TM)".
http://cnettv.cnet.com/pioneer-vsx-1021-k-airplay-functionality/9742-1_53-50103660.html
Wether this is generally supported, or optional, I don't know.

I'm looking at maybe getting an Airplay enable Receiver, though already have an ATV2 so could potentially just connect that to a non-networked receiver.

I'm pretty sure that neither Airport Express nor ATV2 supports analog adjustments, so an AirPlay capable receiver is probably the only way :-/

Regards,

 

[bellang]

From what I can see in the below video, AirPlay devices are able to adjust Volume "the Right Way (TM)".
http://cnettv.cnet.com/pioneer-vsx-1021-k-airplay-functionality/9742-1_53-50103660.html
Wether this is generally supported, or optional, I don't know.

Great, thanks for that. I've also just managed to speak to an Zeppelin Air owner, who says the same thing as shown on the video. So potentially its an Airplay standard, which would definitely be a good thing.

Thanks.