An audio playback path of an audio apparatus includes a digital modulator, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), and a power amplifier. The digital modulator receives a playback signal corresponding to playback audio content and generates a digital input signal in accordance with the playback signal. The DAC receives the audio input signal and generates an analog preamplifier signal. The power amplifier generates an audio output signal in accordance with the preamplifier signal and an analog attenuation determined by the analog attenuation signal. The apparatus may include a volume control input to receive a volume control signal and a playback controller configured to perform operations including generating an analog attenuation signal in accordance with the volume control signal, monitoring a playback state indicated by the playback parameters, and responsive to detecting the playback state satisfying the playback criterion, modifying a selected playback parameter to improve a performance parameter of the playback path.