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Title: Question on computer's digital output Post by: glynnw on June 21, 2010, 04:14:49 am I have been happily using a Wavelength Brick and recently had it upgraded to latest 24/96 specs so I could play with Peter's new oversampling toys in XXHighend. Today I just bought a used Benchmark DAC1 and should receive it in a week or so. My goal is to try out the 24/192 oversampling and see if I prefer it. Initially I will just hook it up to the coax digital out on my ASUS motherboard, which uses a Realtek device. Do you guys think this motherboard will give me a sufficient quality digital signal to do a comparison with the Brick, or should I expect to get a much better sound by purchasing a separate sound card, like the Juli@, just for it's digital out signal? I have done a bit of searching on this subject, both here and on other forums, but as always, there are many differing opinions. If I can get 95% of the optimal sound quality off this motherboard, it will be enough for my initial comparisons. I really don't want to invest in an pricey soundcard, only to decide I like the USB Wavelength better.
Title: Re: Question on computer's digital output Post by: PeterSt on June 21, 2010, 09:08:11 am Quote I really don't want to invest in an pricey soundcard, only to decide I like the USB Wavelength better. Then I don't think you will get there (the right decision), haha. But before discussing this further, does your hires mobo sound device ever support KS ? Chances are not so big you know ... So look for the KS: device(s) of it, and let me know. Peter Title: Re: Question on computer's digital output Post by: glynnw on June 21, 2010, 07:34:53 pm I can find nothing about kernal streaming among the scant info I am provided by ASUS. It does offer an environmental sound effect called "sewer pipe", among others.
Will the Juli@ card give me what I need to utilize the features of XXHighEnd? Title: Re: Question on computer's digital output Post by: Marcin_gps on June 21, 2010, 08:11:43 pm Integrated audio devices don't support Kernel Streaming. I've tried several and none could do it.
Title: Re: Question on computer's digital output Post by: easternlethal on June 22, 2010, 07:39:07 am If you're using a USB DAC (like the Benchmark) it's not necessary to go through any integrated audio devices. You can disable them and just plug the DAC straight into the USB port. You should then be able to run the Benchmark and the PC in KS mode. I currently have a similar set with my Weiss Dac, except that my connection is firewire.
I can understand people who need to get a separate soundcard for other reasons (such as the ability to run convolvers or if the DAC itself only accepts AES such as a the Pacific Microsonics DAC) but if you're not in that category then a soundcard is really not required. You'll have a sweet, short chain from PC straight to DAC. In order to compare the Wavelength against the Benchmark you should just use the USB connections. Title: Re: Question on computer's digital output Post by: PeterSt on June 22, 2010, 09:26:50 am Quote but if you're not in that category then a soundcard is really not required. Allright ... but point me to one situation where you can choose which does not sound (totally !) different. Will the Juli@ card give me what I need to utilize the features of XXHighEnd? Sure. But it costs 135USD or so. Title: Re: Question on computer's digital output Post by: glynnw on June 22, 2010, 06:13:10 pm Thanks guys. The Benchmark Dac1 I have purchased is not the USB model, so I am going to purchase the Juli@ soundcard. Not only will I be able to compare it to my Brick this way, I will have the ability to try a greater range of DACs in the future, particularly if I desire to use sugnals greater than 24/96, which USB at this time cannot handle.
Title: Re: Question on computer's digital output Post by: AUDIODIDAKT on June 22, 2010, 06:22:53 pm To get a proper coaxial spdif output from the juli@, you need to tweak it.
see here (http://www.phasure.com/index.php?topic=1191.msg10564#msg10564) Roy |