Getting ready to go

[Chris V]

Hi Peter

I have on order a new PC with Vista Premium and also a Fireface 400. Cabling will be firewire between PC and Fireface and SPDiff from Fireface to my 'DAC'.

Here is my question:

My 'DAC' is a Tact 2.2X which obviously has an SPDiff digital input. It runs 24 bits at 44.1, 48,  88,  96 or 192 KHz sampling rate. What settings should I start with on your software and the Fireface to optimise the sound?

Thanks Chris

[PeterSt]

Well Chris ... that sounds good !

First most obvious thing : shut off room correction for music playback.

Then, PC -> Firewire -> Fireface -> SPDIF 75 Ohm coax -> TacT -> main amps. Still obvious ...

It is up to you whether you set the playback device (which would be a Fireface device) in Vista to 44K1 or 96K (rightmost tab in the Device Properties !). YMMV here. Today I'm as far as that the upsampling Vista does, is NOT good (never mentioned that before, and didn't really know it just before a couple of days ago).
Note that so far XXHighEnd uses 16bits only (except when the WAV itself has more bits).

When you use 44K1/16bit, set the Buffer Size in the Fireface properties (yellow icon in the Taskbar Tray) to 48;
When you use 96K/16bit, set it to 128.
No real experience on more bits (24/32 and when they are in the source !) yet, but theoretically the buffer should increase when the data rate gets higher.

Small advise, based upon something I didn't workout myself yet :
When you have Firewire on the motherboard, also buy a 10 euro PCI Firewire interface card. It looks that might improve (even much), although it will depend on the Firewire from the motherboard. I can't be certain about this yet ...

Anything else ? hmm ...
Supposed the TacT can upsample (I just don't know that), set the properties in Vista to 44K1 (etc., as mentioned before), and let the TacT upsample to 88K2. Not more !! (or maybe 176K400, but your didn't mention that).

*If* there's a setting in the TacT for 16/24 bits, set it to 24. This will be related to the digital volume control, which I think is in there.
For real listening, try not to go lower with your attenuation than this thread implies : http://forum.bd-design.nl/board_entry.php?id=11215#p11224
I hope you can do the math, I can hardly understand myself what I wrote in there  ...

What remains is : let us know what happened !
Peter

[Chris V]

All sounds a bit daunting, but im sure we'll get through it

I love what the Tact 2.2X has brought to my system. Perfect integration of the BD15 subs with the DX4 Hedlunds. The DSP has snapped the image into firm perspective and of course 'taken care' of room interactions. Will be interesting to see how XX compares in this area.

I still have my old Counterpoint DA-10 DAC (20 bit resolution) with UltraAnalogue D20400 chipset as a reference, so plenty of scope for experiment.

Cheers Chris

[Chris V]

OK the Fireface 400 is here and initially I will use it with my older laptop on XP

Software and drivers installed and communication exists between PC and Fireface. Now to get music from the PC through the Fireface into my DAC using Windows Media Player to get me started.

I am confused by the Audio Properties selection drop down menu which gives me about 18 options for the Fireface 400 - Analogue, ADAT, SPDIF, all with or without MME (whatever that is )

Which one should I choose to send music via the firewire?

[BertD]

I am confused by the Audio Properties selection drop down menu which gives me about 18 options for the Fireface 400 - Analogue, ADAT, SPDIF, all with or without MME (whatever that is )

Which one should I choose to send music via the firewire?

Under XP choose ADAT 1+2 MME for engine #1 (and make that the standard sound device) or SPDIF (not MME) for engine #2 (+ making this the standard device in the sound options). Under Vista just SPDIF..


XP#1 will be highly unstable. You can add a list of tracks and play them but do not touch XX after, it will stop playing. XP#2 is stable...

Bert

[Chris V]

Thanks Bert, fancy meeting you here

Dont suppose you know if windows media player can be sent though this way, and what Fireface settings would apply?

Its pretty difficult here at the bottom of the learning curve

[BertD]

Dont suppose you know if windows media player can be sent though this way, and what Fireface settings would apply?

Windows Media Player will play through the standard sound device.....

It will play through the FireFace, no problem.

Only problem could be the mixer.....you have to tell the FireFace mixer which input goes to which output...

Enjoy!

Bert

[Rupertdacat]

Hi Peter

I have on order a new PC with Vista Premium and also a Fireface 400. Cabling will be firewire between PC and Fireface and SPDiff from Fireface to my 'DAC'.

(snip)

Thanks Chris

Hi Chris and Peter and Bert.

I've just come over from Audioasylum.com.

Would any of you please point me to further info on the rationale for using the Fireface 400 as opposed to using the (for example) SPDIF out of the computer to a DAC?  BTW, my soundcard is "Microsoft High Definition Audio Device"- whatever that is.  This is on a a1730n HP running Vista Home Premium.


Thanks,

Rupe

[Rupertdacat]

Hi again.


I found the following info that relates to my question:

http://forum.bd-design.nl/forum_entry.php?id=13815&page=0&category=20&order=time


I'll get a good look at that board before posting any other questions here.


Thanks,

Rupe

[PeterSt]

Would any of you please point me to further info on the rationale for using the Fireface 400 as opposed to using the (for example) SPDIF out of the computer to a DAC?  BTW, my soundcard is "Microsoft High Definition Audio Device"- whatever that is.  This is on a a1730n HP running Vista Home Premium.

Hi Rupe,

The only thing I could say is that it's a decent connection, it (the Fireface) reclocking the data (eliminating jitter) at the other end of the SPDIF cable. Besides that it's a very convenient device (soundcard) for making audio connections (or recordings).
I don't think you should put more attention to this than that it's "approved", with which I only want to say that other soundcards might be as good. I'd sure have an external one though.

Be careful with the internal High Definition Audio Device, because this would be (to my guess) a sound device controlled by a Class Driver (which is a general driver supporting many general things for sound, but not the specific for dedicated sound devices), and the only one I bumped into on a laptop wouldn't work for Exclusive Mode which is what Engine#3 uses.
I know, a confusing phrase, but since the general advise is not to use internal soundcards at all, you could just scr*p the phrase. 

If you're not bothered by the price of the Fireface, just get it and you're good.
If you are not bothered by the price *at all*, get the Fireface800. 

[Leo]

Hi Peter,

and why should I rather have the Fireface800 than it's smaller brother the Fireface400. Almost any argument will do

Leo

[PeterSt]

Hi Leo, ... more connections. That's all (and maybe the possibility for Firewire800, control the thing from two PC's (with Firewire400)).
For Pro users this also comes down to more ADAT channels.

Peter

[Leo]

Thanks Peter,

I will go for the 400 as more channels and ADAT will not be usefull for me in the near future (like untill the day after tomorrow)

Leo

[Chris V]

Thanks Peter,

I will go for the 400 as more channels and ADAT will not be usefull for me in the near future (like untill the day after tomorrow)

Leo

Comforting also, that I was told by RME that there is no SQ difference between the 400 and 800

[Telstar]

Comforting also, that I was told by RME that there is no SQ difference between the 400 and 800

The FF 400 should have better SQ since they optimized the superclock, or so the website says.