Questions about sound from the PC to a receiver

[Arkitech]

I'm using a Chaintech AV710 with Envy24 Family Drivers v520b. I'm using the optical out into a Onkyo SR605 receiver, for some reason I have to really turn the volume up extremely high (55 or above) on the receiver in order to get decent sound from the PC. I'm just wondering if this normal, I have the audio properties on the PC turned all the way up and sound still only comes out in a trickle when I have the receiver's volume set to 30. 30 is usually a good volume for my other devices (ps2, dvd player, etc..) it's just the PC that does'nt play well at that number.

Anyone have some ideas as to what might be wrong? Or is this normal?

 

[Auric]

Compare with radio. Dunno aboot PS2 but DVD could be artificially loud if an option to reduce the dynamic range has been enabled. Onkyo receivers have fine volume adjustment in single increments all the way up to 98 ish. Other manufacturers may have coarser increments with a lower maximum of, say, 50 so don't appear to require turning up as much. I find around 40 to be minimum and perhaps 60 for movies. I don't suppose maximum PC output level should vary much between different audio devices (given no amplifier as is the norm).

 

[Arkitech]

hmm looks like it *might* be a software issue. I just realized that the master volume control makes no difference on the sound unless its muted. Turning it up or down does'nt affect the volume, however Wave and PCM SPDIF controls bring the volume up slightly. The sound is still very low, but maybe I'm getting closer to figuring this thing out.

Auric - There's a huge volume difference when using other audio devices, its just the PC that's low. I'm going to try the onboard sound to see if that makes a difference

 

[fleabag]

I've had this issue before with other devices, usually it's a misconfiguration. Though there are some cases where there is nothing you can do but turn up the volume (example being watching basic cable vs. watching HBO or DVDs).

 

[FP]

I had a similar problem with my Creative soundcard. Turns out there were two distinct volume controls (Windows and Creative) that I had to mess with. It was a complete disaster and I almost blew my speakers when I left them jacked up before messing with the volume controls.