Benchmark DAC1 now available with USB

[restock]

If you are using iTunes 7.0 or higher, it is important to set the sample-rate in AudioMIDI BEFORE OPENING ITUNES. If you have iTunes open, close it, then set the sample-rate in AudioMIDI.

Elias/Gordon, what should the word length be set to in AudioMidi when primarily playing 16/44.1 files - 2ch16bit or 2ch24bit. Does the word length setting matter at all?

Also, there is a volume slider below the sample rate setting in AudioMidi that got me confused. What should that one be set to? What does this volume slider do?

[poo]

Got my DAC1 yesterday. In short - I'm not totally sure what I was expecting, but I can say that I was not expecting the quality and general awesomeness I can hear. I have three audio systems that have just been totally transformed!

That's it - back to listening!

[EliasGwinn]

Originally Posted by restock

Elias/Gordon, what should the word length be set to in AudioMidi when primarily playing 16/44.1 files - 2ch16bit or 2ch24bit. Does the word length setting matter at all?

If you are using an audio device that interfaces to the Mac @ 24-bit, then you should always use 24-bit when possible. I can explain why in detail, if you want. But, just know that 24-bit is best if your device is capable.

Originally Posted by restock

Also, there is a volume slider below the sample rate setting in AudioMidi that got me confused. What should that one be set to? What does this volume slider do?

Keep this volume control at 100%. Software volume controls are usually damaging to the audio. The volume control on the newest iTunes is the exception. It works exceptionally well.

Thanks,
Elias

[restock]

Elias, thanks very for the quick response.

I do have Benchmark DAC1USB as well as a Wavelength Brick in my two systems I assume for the DAC1USB you would certainly recommend the 24bit setting.

I did not realize the volume control in AudioMIDI was simply connected to the main volume control. I usually make sure that one is set to max.

I am looking forward to hearing more about your tests of iTunes on Leopard when you get to it.

[Wavelength]

Restock, Elias;

FYI I was making a Brick today and checked the thing out again with the Audio Midi Setup and found that the problem only happens when you put a 24/96 dac on.

I talked to Apple and they say it has something to do with the USB init to the Audio Midi Setup that is causing the problem and for 24/96 dacs it pushes the Fs (sample rate) to the max and for 16 bit it leaves it at 44.1.

I think Lepoard and 7.5 iTunes sounds much better than earlier versions.

Well it could be worse things in life.

Thanks
Gordon

[korben_dallas]

Gordon,

Have you achieved bit-perfect playback with Vista? If so, what was your setup?

[sangel]

Hello Elias,

Thank you very much.

Best regards

sangel

[Wavelength]

Elias,

I talked to Apple yesterday and this morning had a conference call with the engineers.

They were not aware of this problem and it had not been seen in their problem reports.

They are going to try and reproduce it and if not I can send them out my DAC1 for them to see what the problem is.

I did send them your enumeration as they said it maybe linked to the way you handle something.

Thanks
Gordon

[Wavelength]

Originally Posted by korben_dallas

Gordon,

Have you achieved bit-perfect playback with Vista? If so, what was your setup?

KD,

Actually as Thomas has indicated in several posts now this is easy to do. Much easier and more assured than XP ever would and also applications where kernel streaming and ASIO were not supported via Direct Sound (iTunes, WMP, etc) can achieve this.

It does require a 24 bit dac and setting that option in the device panel. At that point 16 bit audio will cruise through uninterrupted.

I tried this out with J River, iTunes and Media Player. Results were much better.

Thanks
Gordon

[Wavelength]

Gang, Elias;

I had a long banter with Apple yesterday in regards to the 7.5 stuff.

Ok here it is and this has been the same for a long while:

I don't believe there have been any changes in this regard, but the driver will try to select formats in the following order the first time a device is attached to a particular port on a system:

1. 2-channel 16-bit @ 44.1kHz
2. 1-channel 16-bit @ 44.1kHz
3. 2-channel 16-bit @ highest supported sample rate
4. 1-channel 16-bit @ highest supported sample rate
5. alternate setting 1 @ highest supported sample rate

If the device doesn't do 16 bit, the correct behavior is probably 24-bit at the highest supported sample rate. After changing the sample rate, channel count or bit depth, the Mac should remember the last setting if you plug it back into the same USB port.

One last thing: 10.4.11 and Leopard have the same version of the USB audio driver.

So really nothing has changed here and why this came up seems to be a question.

Elias, the guys in the sound group want to know who you are talking too as it may not be the correct people.

Thanks
Gordon