I can choose between direct sound, Windows Audio Session, or safe mode. I don't understand why I should select one from another. In experiments between direct sound and Windows Audio Session it all sounds the same. Here's my computer set-up: Dell Inspiron 14 running Windows 7. iTunes is my favorite media player and files in iTunes library are 16/44 to 24/96. Internal sound card is IDT HD. Right now, however, USB output is sent from laptop to Creative Sound Blaster X-FI HD. From X-FI HD, Optical S/PDIF sends signal to Sony 24/96 DAC. Windows sound properties is set to S/PDIF playback and S/PDIF properties is set to supported formats up to 24/96. Everything in my iTunes library, from 16/44 to 24/96 is received by the Sony DAC at 24/96 since advance S/PDIF properties is set for 24/96 operation in shared mode, and I guess, somewhere, up-sampling is taking place. At any rate, I usually keep supported formats set at 24/96 and shared mode at 24/96. The only problem I have, so far, is an occasional click or pop from my speakers when it appears my computer is doing more than just sending USB out to the X-FI HD.
Edited by sterling1 - 11/1/11 at 9:28am
