24/192 From Windows 7 USB?

Posted by: Dreadatthecontrols on 14 September 2015

Hi,

I am mainly an analogue LP listener, but in resistance of any luddite tendencies have started to have an eye on the possibilities of Hi Res streaming/downloading.

I am interested in dipping my toes in the water and have been looking at entry level DAC's capable of handling full 24/192 from my Windows 7 Laptop. Top of my shortlist is Meridien Explorer or Director (available at a major online retailer for just £199 0r £249 respectively) Not sure how they will sound through my NAC 202, IXO, 2x Nap 90/3's, Allaes, but I can return them within 30 days if not satisfied.

I see most reviews saying that as recommended as they are, very detailed and spacious soundstaging, for some they could be a little lacking in the PRat department.

However, I recently read somewhere, I think on HRT's website, that Windows based computers cannot currently handle 24/192 through USB, something which no reviewer seems to have reported.

Is this correct?

Thanks

Posted on: 14 September 2015 by SongStream

No, it works fine. Naim provide a Windows 7 driver allowing 24bit and 384khz via USB, but 24/192 is a standard windows offering and not a problem. Providing the DAC itself supports 24/192 obviously, not all do.

Posted on: 15 September 2015 by Dreadatthecontrols

Originally Posted by SongStream:

Thanks SongStream,

Initially I will probably try downloading a few HiRes albums from somewhere like Quobuz rather than subscribe to a streaming service. I expect though that my storage capacity on the laptop hard drive will soon get full with large 24/192 files, any suggestions on a solution?

Posted on: 15 September 2015 by Mike-B

The most logical - after the toe dipping - is to go for a proper network player & NAS

Another point to ponder is whilst 16 to 24-bit normally gives a noticeable change in SQ, the higher sample rates give less of a change, the difference between 24/48 & 24/192 might be audible depending on ears & equipment, but between 24/96 & 24/192 its very small & many will admit to not hearing any difference. This leads to your concerns with file size; a short single track in 24/192 is typically 133MB, whereas 24/96 is around 65MB - twice as many albums in a given HD.

Finally with a Naim network player & NAS you have DSD (bit-stream) open to you.

Posted on: 15 September 2015 by karlosTT

.....or if the library gets too large just keep it on a USB hard drive, eg Western Digital. You can get 2TBs for 70 odd quid.

No probs at all on Win 7 with the sample rate, its all about what the DAC will work with. Some DACs do however require a driver to be installed to achieve 192 khz, whereas up to 96 khz is typically plug n play.

Posted on: 30 September 2015 by Dreadatthecontrols

Thanks for the information guys, sorry for the delay in getting back. I appreciate this is probably kindergarden stuff I'm asking but its completely new ground for me.

One more query, I'm not sure if windows media player handles 24/92 or higher, so if I need to buy software any recommendations please?

Posted on: 30 September 2015 by cgarden

Is there an easy way to determine the output quality from a Windows 10 / USB port?

The reason I ask is that yesterday I accidentally selected a 24/192 file in Foobar to play through the Arcam rPac that I use for headphone listening in the office, and it played with no problem.

I know the rpac can only manage 24/96 natively, so I guess something is down sampling, but is it Foobar, Windows or the Dac?

Chris

Posted on: 30 September 2015 by SongStream

Originally Posted by cgarden:

It depends on how you have Foobar configured for the audio output. If this is on a default setting and refers to Direct Sound, it will be going through the Windows mixer, and up or down sampled according to the settings in the Windows control panel for the audio device in question. I think the windows default is 24/48, possibly 16/48, so unless you've changed these settings at any time, that's probably how your DAC is handling a 24/192 file.

To get the bit depth and sample rate via USB to match that of the source file, you need to select WASAPI Exclusive Mode for the device within the Foobar settings. With these settings the Foobar application will bypass the Windows mixer completely and control the audio format providing the bit-perfect audio of the original file.

And this might be stating the obvious, but as implied and for good reason, while you have Foobar open in Exclusive mode, no other application will be able to make any sound. Once closed things return to normal.

Posted on: 30 September 2015 by cgarden

Ah, thank you Songstream. Good point, I'm sure I had it configured for exclusive operation, but the recent Windows 10 upgrade may have restored defaults.

Posted on: 08 October 2015 by Dreadatthecontrols

Originally Posted by Wat:

Windows usually requires a special driver for USB audio at full resolution: nearly all DACs come with a suitable driver. You can then use a program like J River Media Centre to play various file formats.

If you run out of space then you could use one Western Digital's excellent external drives. I use a Western Digital DUO with my Mac Mini, but it would work with Windows too. I have 2 x 4TB drives, which is enough for around 8,000 CDs. Storage is not really a problem, you just buy a suitably sized disk - I would always buy at least two external (one for backup) in case one goes wrong so you don't lose all your music.

I have avoided the need for a network player or NAS. I'm not a streamer & doubt I ever will be (OK I do have access to Amazon Prime Music & Movies), so directly attached storage works perfectly for me.

My recommendation for an inexpensive DAC would be iFI Nano iDSD (or Micro iDAC2) which plays PCM (32bit/384kHz), DSD256 (11.2MHz) and DXD (384kHz) through a Mac, PC or iPhone/iPad/Android. Not only does the iFI perform as an excellent FAC, it also works as USB to SPDIF convertor for a DAC like the Naim DAC.

All the best, Wat

Thanks Wat, interesting

Cheers

Richard