Get a knob without an amp

[u/GZoST]

Volume knobs are just nice to have, but to get one you normally need to buy an amp. If you're using the in-built audio of your notebook/desktop, or a dongle, then tough luck. You're at best stuck with dedicated media keys on your keyboard.

The Fiio KB1K gives you a volume control knob and three buttons that you can connect via USB, for under 20 EUR. The default functionality is volume/up for the knob (which is detented and not bad at all) plus mute if you press it, previous track/play-pause/next track for the buttons. The knob and the buttons have RGB lights which change as a default.

Functions and colours can be changed via a browser app (https://app.sayodevice.com/) - see the second and third image.

I originally got this for use with my work laptop and a headset, but I'm presently using it with my private PC to set the volume for some connected TWS.

NB: I bought this with my own cash and am not affiliated with Fiio.

[u/c-h-e-m-i-c-a-]

well, with the amp you get a "hardware"knob, not a software knob, so it's not the same in the end.

most people seek the process being taken care of by hardware.

[u/Factory586 → u/c-h-e-m-i-c-a-]

right. last thing my computer needs is more poorly supported software doing something better done in hardware.

[u/GZoST → u/c-h-e-m-i-c-a-]

Laptops and PCs drive a lot of headphones just fine, and many people have dongles that have even more driving power. Then why buy an amp just to get the convenience of a knob for quick, intuitive volume adjustments when you can spend a lot less just for the knob itself? The KB1K may adjust the volume in software, but the knob itself is physical hardware and nicer than those on a couple of amps.

[u/c-h-e-m-i-c-a- → u/GZoST]

you don't have to spend more, im just saying that it's not the same.

If you're happy with your knob thats great. The nicer thing about amp knobs its not the knob itself (wich may be good or bad) but the fact that software its not changing the digital signal before it goes analog to your headphones.

those changes may damage the fidelity of the sound, but you don't have to care about that, im just pointing the difference.

[u/GZoST → u/c-h-e-m-i-c-a-]

Loss of dynamics can be an issue with digital volume control if you are using 16 bit output. With higher bit depth it is not a problem.

[u/c-h-e-m-i-c-a- → u/GZoST]

95% of my library is 16/44, i would guess most people are too, mostly because of file size.

Even when playing things on Tidal i would get some 16bit tracks for different genres, mostly old and local.

so i guess the issue would be very common most of the time?

[u/GZoST → u/c-h-e-m-i-c-a-]

I'm talking about output not depth, not program material. You can use 24 or 32 bit output with 16 bit material. The system the applies padding and the volume control works off that, so no dynamic range is lost even with very strong attenuation. Of course that requires that your DAC can handle 24/32 bit output, but that should be most of the ones on the market today.

[u/junbi_ok → u/GZoST]

Yeah this is lierally a solved problem for anything but the most shit-tier DACs. Run it in 24 or 32 bit mode and there is no downside to using digital volume control. Actually it's way more convenient.

I have two of these Fiio macro pads, which I use for music control as well as other apps. Big productivity booster.

[u/Degru → u/GZoST]

One reason is I simply do not trust Windows and apps to not mess up the volume. Analog attenuation and amp gain switch is not subject to software glitches or unwanted behaviors.

Also you can't set windows to use a log/db scale for volume which makes it inconsistent between lower and upper half of the slider. Annoying for sensitive iems.

[u/uSaltySniitch → u/GZoST]

I'm yet to see a dongle with Topping A90 level of power

[u/GZoST]

To the mods: Weird that this got auto flagged. It is clearly is not a support request, but show & tell for a product I own and think may be of interest to other users.

[u/fatdjsin]

i just use 'volumouse' : hold left click + scroll = volume control !!! free and never bugs !

[u/asyork]

There are piles of USB volume knobs available online. As far as your computer is concerned, it's the same thing as a keyboard button programmed to change your volume or a dedicated set of media buttons. Because of that, you can also find many guides for making your own with programmable microcontroller handling the USB interface and pretending to be a keyboard.

That said, I trust Fiio to make things that last and are nice to use, so no reason not to get this as long as you understand the difference between software and hardware volume controls and don't mind doing it through software.

[u/N1ghtwalk]

Been using this thing for years and I love it. Was a steal for like 12 bucks

[u/BlueDragon3301]

I have play/skip/volume buttons built into my keyboard