Higher bit DAC & XXHE volume

[SeVeReD]

Right now, through usb my dac can only accept 16/44.1:

Start Audio Device Analysis Exclusive Mode support
040FFD38

   Supported : 2|16|44100|176400|4
Not supported : 2|24|44100|264600|6
Not supported : 2|32|44100|352800|8
   Supported : 2|16|48000|192000|4
Not supported : 2|24|48000|288000|6
Not supported : 2|32|48000|384000|8
Not supported : 2|16|88200|352800|4
Not supported : 2|24|88200|529200|6
Not supported : 2|32|88200|705600|8
Not supported : 2|16|96000|384000|4
Not supported : 2|24|96000|576000|6
Not supported : 2|32|96000|768000|8
Not supported : 2|16|176400|705600|4
Not supported : 2|24|176400|1058400|6
Not supported : 2|32|176400|1411200|8
Not supported : 2|16|192000|768000|4
Not supported : 2|24|192000|1152000|6
Not supported : 2|32|192000|1536000|8

As nice as it would be to find a usb/firewire solution for all these rates (or even 384 hehe), I think I may be able to squeeze 24/96 from the Stello if I use it's coax input.  To that end, I'm thinking about a usb to coax unit like http://www.empiricalaudio.com/ USB Offramp Turbo Two ("...The USB Off-Ramp Turbo 2 is a true audiophile USB to S/PDIF converter. This converter will pass most audio formats, including MP3, .wav @16/44.1, .wav@24/88.2, .wav @ 24/96 and iTunes. AC3 is also possible by requesting the M-Audio driver..."),
or should I just get the Fireface 800 (I wonder if they'll upgrade existing firefaces to work with higher rez?), or ...

I would like to use the digital volume on XXHE, my Pass xover preamp XRV1 & Moscode amp just doesn't give me enough control of the volume (too loud, so very narrow volume range).  Would I be able to use the volume of XXHE without losing any bits on my 16/44.1 cue/wav files if the stello can see 24/96 ?

From PeterSt
"There is one other exception currently not triggering the new code : Cue Files; Because at this moment a Cue File album is processed in full (hence not per track), it will not fit in the so far advised amount of memory (2GB). See the next topic as well.
Note that when the DAC can't exploit more than 16 bits, this doesn't matter anyway (special message to SeVeReD )."

Does this mean that if I do get the stello to 24/96 that I won't be able to use the new code algorithm because my cue/wav files are too big?  Need more memory/computer? or just won't ever do it.  Are my 16/44.1 wav/cue files using the new code without volume, as I'm doing now?

[edward]

To that end, I'm thinking about a usb to coax unit like http://www.empiricalaudio.com/ USB Offramp Turbo Two ("...The USB Off-Ramp Turbo 2 is a true audiophile USB to S/PDIF converter. This converter will pass most audio formats, including MP3, .wav @16/44.1, .wav@24/88.2, .wav @ 24/96 and iTunes. AC3 is also possible by requesting the M-Audio driver

Dave, I've thought about picking one of these up myself. But I would advise you to be careful, and/or at least be sure you have a trial period or there is a return policy - because Steve (Empirical Audio) has licensed the same firmware from Centrance that Benchmark is using. (Unless you ask him for the M-Audio driver, which some people say is cr*p) Keep your eye on the Benchmark thread to see if the issue is resolved as far as being able to use exclusive mode with XXHighEnd:

http://www.phasure.com/index.php?topic=431.0

[SeVeReD]

To that end, I'm thinking about a usb to coax unit like http://www.empiricalaudio.com/ USB Offramp Turbo Two ("...The USB Off-Ramp Turbo 2 is a true audiophile USB to S/PDIF converter. This converter will pass most audio formats, including MP3, .wav @16/44.1, .wav@24/88.2, .wav @ 24/96 and iTunes. AC3 is also possible by requesting the M-Audio driver

Dave, I've thought about picking one of these up myself. But I would advise you to be careful, and/or at least be sure you have a trial period or there is a return policy - because Steve (Empirical Audio) has licensed the same firmware from Centrance that Benchmark is using. (Unless you ask him for the M-Audio driver, which some people say is cr*p) Keep your eye on the Benchmark thread to see if the issue is resolved as far as being able to use exclusive mode with XXHighEnd:

http://www.phasure.com/index.php?topic=431.0

Oh, thanks.  This is new and useful info for me.

[PeterSt]

Would I be able to use the volume of XXHE without losing any bits on my 16/44.1 cue/wav files if the stello can see 24/96 ?

You would be able to use it, and you then can attenuate to -48dB without loosing any bits. Attenuate more and you won't be able to hear the lost bits.

Does this mean that if I do get the stello to 24/96 that I won't be able to use the new code algorithm because my cue/wav files are too big?

Currently, correct. But of course this is something to solve. It is just that it is not so easy why it wasn't done yet.
Let's say that by the time you have 96/24 running, I will make it for you ASAP. Ok ?

Need more memory/computer?

This is another matter;
When individual tracks start to be over 30 minutes or so, it won't fit into memory, especially if the source is 96/24 as well.
You could buy additional memory for that (but be careful your PC sees it which IMO for a 32 bit OS is not always the case), but ... you could also say that for that more rare long tracks you use the Mem checkbox. Also note that you'd first need to judge that checkbox unchecked as better sounding.

Are my 16/44.1 wav/cue files using the new code without volume, as I'm doing now?

If I understand the question ... No. But note that also it just isn't needed.
Also note that even *with* Digital Volume it isn't needed for 16 bit output. That already was pre-processed, and nothing changed to that matter. Only more than 16 bits (output) benefit (if at all, and to your judgement, once you can).

[SeVeReD]

Does this mean that if I do get the stello to 24/96 that I won't be able to use the new code algorithm because my cue/wav files are too big?

Currently, correct. But of course this is something to solve. It is just that it is not so easy why it wasn't done yet.
Let's say that by the time you have 96/24 running, I will make it for you ASAP. Ok ?

Ah, thanks, I feel the love. hehe
I sure would like to be able to use the volume of XXHE someday.  Envisioning my next XXHE computer/dac frontend is always on my mind.  I kinda have funds for it right now... but not going to jump big until ???? always the question.  Thanks for going through the questions above.