Experiments with PC computer audio!
Posted by: DHT on 01 December 2009
I thought I would experiment with a PC for my 'office' system ( I use a Mac/dac in my main )I downloaded Foobar and DB Poweramp ,my old dac only has Sp/dif , I was chatting with my 'dealer'and he lent me a new USB'Spdif converter , only a little pen thing that plugs ito the USB port, but the sound from my old machine is great really good, really super,it plays hi res files up to 24/192, perfect with my old dac, I am going to have to compare it to my proper set-up.
Posted on: 01 December 2009 by js
Careful, as you may not be getting 192 to the DAC even if it plays fine. The OS or foobar may be down converting on the fly. I believe USB of the type you're using is limited to 96k on a good day. Which version of windows? Try the Kernel streaming or ASIO plugins for foobar especially in XP. You can check online for an ASIO driver for the USB device. Avoid ASIO4ALL. The site should also give max rate specs. If vista/7 there's also WASAPI and hi res is easier. Good luck and hope you have some fun with it.
Posted on: 01 December 2009 by DHT
Js Hi, thanks for all your help by the way, I am pretty sure I am getting bit perfect, because the device ,an M2Tech hiface makes you download a kernel streaming application for Foobar which you haveto place in it's 'components' folder, it also has a bit of software to load , it really does sound brilliant playing some HDX files at 176.something!
Posted on: 01 December 2009 by js
I don't think you can get a better usb transfer than what that device describes anywhere near that price. 2 crystals for symmetry at the most likely clocks. Nice! I find Foobar a bit stark as an interface but I understand why M2Tech recommend that route with their dedicated driver for kernel streaming. Good sounding free player. Unfortunately it's pretty useless as a wav library as I like it. Works fine if I just default it and play from my wav folder instead. What files types are you trying and does it handle the meta data well? AIFF/ALAC? I was going to make some AIFF files and check. I suspect that the HIFace may work with more players both kernel and otherwise but really don't know. I don't recall but if your old DAC is a Lavry, try narrow. You may prefer it if the HiFace is as good as described.
Posted on: 01 December 2009 by DHT
Thanks for the advice JS, i have been listeing to FLAC and WAV files there doesn't seem to be an issue, I will have a much more careful listen when I get some spare time, the little hiface is really super, I never thought that a usb/spdif interfacce could sound so good, and it isn't expensive.
it really makes it simple to set up a PC to be bit perfect,I am impressed.
