Review: ZERO 24 BIT/192KHz DAC/Headphone Amp/Pre-Amp - Page 606

No, you'll never hear it. Even if you could, it would be with much higher quality gear. The necessity of bit perfect is up to you, again, you'll never hear the difference. That said, I do it. The only SURE way I know is with Vista / 7. Use foobar2000 with the WASAPI plug in for playback. Disable all effects, and leave the volume bar alone. (You CAN adjust volume, but only 100% will be bit perfect) Using optical or coaxial, I would use on-board sound if you have it. This seems to be easiest. If you have a dedicated sound-card, you will need to research as to whether it will change the data stream or not. I've not been able to make it happen with any Creative products, for example, even with ASIO. I'm using an E-Mu for recording, but that won't do it either - I use my stock on-board sound to output to my DAC.

The simple and easiest test is to hook up a surround sound receiver to the output, and play a .wav or .flac file of a DTS recording. (That is, a lossless audio recording of the digital code stream. If there is any change to the audio file's 'bits' or signal, the receiver will not be able to decode it to DTS) If it's a bit perfect stream, the receiver will decode it, and you will hear whatever the DTS file is. if it isn't bit perfect, you will hear static, or nothing at all.

For some reason WASAPI lags a bit when starting songs and doesn't have gapless playback with foobar2000.

i "think"

Don't have that problem here. Some config issues with your PC?

The headamp board has plugs going to it that you can disconnect easily enough.

Hi guys,

First time poster

I am new to all this audio talk so please excuse the stupid question below

Is it possible to use the Zero as a pre-amp for a dedicated power amp (as opposed to a integrated amp), and if so, is it recommended?

I've read the OP, but I assume the Sonic Super T-Amp is an integrated amp?

Thanks for any replies/advice!

the Zero has RCA out so yeah you can use any amp that has RCA in. When using it just as a DAC there is a setting so that you bypass the headphone amp part completely so yes you can use it just as a DAC. From reading reviews and actually owning one its supposed to be a pretty good standalone DAC too.

1. Open the case.
2. Pull the plug out.

I use my upgraded zero with a moon hdam with a DV3322 and I am very happy with it as a dac.

Does any of you know how much power the amp has with different loads?
(ex: xxxmw@120ohm, xxxxmw@300ohm, xxxmw@600...)

man its been a while since iv posted, but unfortunately i didnt want this to be my first post back...MY ZERO DAC IS DEAD!!! i have no idea how this happened. Walked away from my comp and came back and even though it was plugged in with the power switch on, all the leds and unit itself shut off. Not sure if theres any way to reset it but i got nothing as of right now.. let it sit for a few days and tried a different power wire and outlet and it still didnt work. if anyone has any ideas let me know it would be greatly appreciated!

Pull the cover off and I am pretty sre there is a reset switch on the main dac board. PM prickley pete he is pretty intimate with the inner working of this amp but there may also be an inline fuse on the main boards that went.

Good Luck

yeah pushed the reset switch and nothing...held it pressed for ten seconds still nothing. cant figure it out.

check the fuse...

where exactly is this fuse located?
thanks

took the the two screws out (one of them holds the ground wire) figured the fuse would be located inside where the power wire connect however i still dont see how you access the fuse.