Audio-gd Digital Interface

[Dynobot]

Great thanks for the update, I should be getting mine soon.  I'm going to test the upsampling and other switches as well as with the Adum isolator.  I'm going to be using it with Linux, but will also try it out with Mac OS.
 
Quote:

Hi guys,
 
I have tried to keep up with this thread but somehow I'm sure I missed it, if it's been covered.  My apologies...
 
Just received my DI and I am very pleased, however, WASAPI (Foobar) with it is buggy.  KS, no problems at all.  I usually use KS even in Vista, but like to check every possible output works fine.
 
Thanks

 

[HeatFan12]

Quote:

Great thanks for the update, I should be getting mine soon.  I'm going to test the upsampling and other switches as well as with the Adum isolator.  I'm going to be using it with Linux, but will also try it out with Mac OS.
 

 

Hi Dynobot,
 
That's great...Have not opened mine up, just received it a little while ago.  KS is working great.  I'm tapping wireless with a laptop to my NAS upstairs.  They are not dropouts with wasapi, just skipping quite often after a few minutes.  I just plugged it in and Foobar recognized it in the output right away.
 

 

[Dynobot]

Check your buffer settings under wasapi, it can be picky sometimes.
 
You might also want to increase the priority of Foobar with wasapi.
 
These also are a must with Windows wireless...
 
http://www.wlanbook.com/vista-wifi-60-second-lag-problem/
 
http://www.martin-majowski.de/wlanoptimizer/

 

[HeatFan12]

Quote:

Check your buffer settings under wasapi, it can be picky sometimes.
 
 

This is true, but that was exactly what I was trying to avoid.  On XP when I use ASIO4ALL, I have to move everything.  I plug in a variety of gear to this laptop and have never messed with the buffer.  I used to, but it seems to be a pain (albeit a small one) to change buffer settings from one piece of gear to the other.  With this same laptop, I have been listening to the NFB-3 & DAC-19DSP and they both were "plug and play" no setting adjustments needed.  I was just curious if anyone experienced this issue.  KS works great and the DI sounds very good, so I am just using KS......
 
Thanks

 

[Dynobot]

Try those two links....they can't hurt and chances are they will help...if not Foobar then they will at least increase your wireless connections.
 
Another MUST have tool for Windows users....Revo Uninstaller.  It removes every trace of programs so your Windows machine will always run smoothly.
 
http://www.revouninstaller.com/revo_uninstaller_free_download.html

 

[HeatFan12]

Quote:

Try those two links....they can't hurt and chances are they will help...if not Foobar then they will at least increase your wireless connections.
 
Another MUST have tool for Windows users....Revo Uninstaller.  It removes every trace of programs so your Windows machine will always run smoothly.
 
http://www.revouninstaller.com/revo_uninstaller_free_download.html

Oops, sorry, I guess I quoted before you posted the links...Thanks,...Looking at them now....That revo looks interesting...
 
Well, it's not a wireless issue with wasapi.  I have about ten albums on this laptop and it still does it.....

 

[Dynobot]

Quote:

Oops, sorry, I guess I quoted before you posted the links...Thanks,...Looking at them now....That revo looks interesting...
 
Well, it's not a wireless issue with wasapi.  I have about ten albums on this laptop and it still does it.....

Thats odd with wasapi but since KS sounds great no need to aggravate yourself with wasapi..
 
I used Revo when I was trying out all sorts of software with my Windows machine, it cleans out the registry and looks for all traces of programs and lets you remove it.  Essentially it makes it as if you never installed the program at all.  Together with Crap Cleaner and auto defrag my WIndows machine ran like a top...still does.
 
Have fun with your DI...

 

[ninjikiran]

Yea there is no real significant difference between KS and WASAPI imo.  ASIO has some functionality which might be useful to a small percentage of people, and ASIO4ALL is just awkward and I wouldn't use it ever.
 
So go with what works~ and don't worry about the rest.  Simplicity at its best.
 
On a side note using my sound card as transport I need to use a fairly high buffer size(~1000), but if I connect my DAC by USB which I have done just for laughs every so often I need a low buffer size.
 
Its really really wierd and I could not explain it.  Granted I only have one device connected so I just use my sound card as transport.

 

[HeatFan12]

 
 Quote:

Yea there is no real significant difference between KS and WASAPI imo.  ASIO has some functionality which might be useful to a small percentage of people, and ASIO4ALL is just awkward and I wouldn't use it ever.
 
So go with what works~ and don't worry about the rest.  Simplicity at its best.
 
On a side note using my sound card as transport I need to use a fairly high buffer size(~1000), but if I connect my DAC by USB which I have done just for laughs every so often I need a low buffer size.
 
Its really really wierd and I could not explain it.  Granted I only have one device connected so I just use my sound card as transport.

Quote:

Thats odd with wasapi but since KS sounds great no need to aggravate yourself with wasapi..
 
I used Revo when I was trying out all sorts of software with my Windows machine, it cleans out the registry and looks for all traces of programs and lets you remove it.  Essentially it makes it as if you never installed the program at all.  Together with Crap Cleaner and auto defrag my WIndows machine ran like a top...still does.
Have fun with your DI...

Thanks guys...Absolutely....If it works, don't try to fix it....lol.....Curiosity can get you in trouble.....lol
 
Cheers......

 

[Nada]

Quote:

Hi guys,
 
I have tried to keep up with this thread but somehow I'm sure I missed it, if it's been covered.  My apologies...
 
Just received my DI and I am very pleased, however, WASAPI (Foobar) with it is buggy.  KS, no problems at all.  I usually use KS even in Vista, but like to check every possible output works fine.
 
Thanks

This topic has been covered and a simple search might have saved yourself some hassle.
 
WASAPI in Foobar is great for getting clean digital out running Vista or Windoze7 for me. The catch for most of us is in the BUFFER SIZE.  It requires a very small buffer . If the buffer is left unchanged at above 300ms after selecting WASPI, Foobar plays back as if its in ultra fast forward mode or skipping as if it needs a bigger buffer - this is the trap.
 
Try to put the buffer down to 50-150ms for WASAPI
 
If that doesnt fix it increase the priority for Foobar using control-alt-delete to bring up "Task Manager" => Processes -> Right click on Foobar and set Priority to "High"
 
If your fussy then set your Notebook to turn off the hard drive when you are doing dedicated listening, using Foobar - Preferences - Advanced-Playback-Full file buffering and set all your spare RAM as the stipulated figure. Then in Windows  - Control - Power =- Advanced - turn off your hard drive asap. I think a high end set up might be needed to hear any difference with this tweak but you dont know till you try - your hard drive-notebook might be a noisy combo.
 
Dont stop being curious unless you want to stagnate. Enjoy

 
Please let us know exactly what works. Cheers.

 

[Dynobot]

When I used to use Foobar I created a .bat file that when launched would start Foobar with Realtime priorities.  Vista is possible but I think Win7 max is High Priority
 
cmd /c start /Realtime foobar2000.exe  -or- this might be even better cmd /SEPARATE /c start /REALTIME foobar2000.exe
 
Use text editor and just copy and past the command in the file and save it as foo.bat in your foobar folder.   <----edit added were to put file.
 
When you double click it Foobar will start with realtime priorities
 
More options:
 

 Options: /MIN : Minimized /MAX : Maximized /WAIT : Start application and wait for it to terminate /LOW : Use IDLE priority class /NORMAL : Use NORMAL priority class /HIGH : Use HIGH priority class /REALTIME : Use REALTIME priority class /B : Start application without creating a new window. In this case ^C will be ignored - leaving ^Break as the only way to interrupt the application /I : Ignore any changes to the current environment. [i] Options for 16-bit WINDOWS programs only[/i] /SEPARATE Start in separate memory space (more robust) /SHARED Start in shared memory space (default)

 

[HeatFan12]

Quote:

 
This topic has been covered and a simple search might have saved yourself some hassle.
 
WASAPI in Foobar is great for getting clean digital out running Vista or Windoze7 for me. The catch for most of us is in the BUFFER SIZE.  It requires a very small buffer . If the buffer is left unchanged at above 300ms after selecting WASPI, Foobar plays back as if its in ultra fast forward mode or skipping as if it needs a bigger buffer - this is the trap.
 
Try to put the buffer down to 50-150ms for WASAPI
 
If that doesnt fix it increase the priority for Foobar using control-alt-delete to bring up "Task Manager" => Processes -> Right click on Foobar and set Priority to "High"
 
If your fussy then set your Notebook to turn off the hard drive when you are doing dedicated listening, using Foobar - Preferences - Advanced-Playback-Full file buffering and set all your spare RAM as the stipulated figure. Then in Windows  - Control - Power =- Advanced - turn off your hard drive asap. I think a high end set up might be needed to hear any difference with this tweak but you dont know till you try - your hard drive-notebook might be a noisy combo.
 
Dont stop being curious unless you want to stagnate. Enjoy

 
Please let us know exactly what works. Cheers.

Thanks Nada,
 
LOL...I know, I got a little lazy...Was trying to do several things at once before I stepped out for the evening and did not search....You figure after four years I would know better....

 
 
The buffer decrease did solve the issue and for now after about an hour, no stutter....200ms is where I'm at atm.  Good stuff.....
 
I did some checking with other devices and another laptop and desktop (not DI) and my setting was 990ms across the board and never had stutters with WASAPI (again, I usually use KS, but the more tools the better).  I never had to change it before, that's why the DI surprised me a bit.  A while back I did have to mess with the settings.  But that was when I was tapping wireless downstairs with a laptop, from an external HD attached to a wireless desktop upstairs that had all my music.  Once I went hard-wired (ethernet) from same desktop and shortly after purchased my network drive, all problems went away and never messed with the settings again.
 
Thanks again guys and good stuff Dynobot....and btw, this little black box is slammin'....Great stuff...Going to move it around with several DACs.  Still connected to the DAC-19DSP for now.
 

 

[slim.a]

 
Quote:

So... any new comparisons or impressions yet

?

 

I received my Digital Interface 2 days ago. So far I have only listened to it in the following configuration: USB2ISO (usb isolator) - Wireworld Ultraviolet USB cable - Digital Interface (w/ Power supply) - Oyaide DB-510 - DAC19 DSP. I didn’t have time to try any other configuration, so keep that in mind when reading my comments.
 
Below are some preliminary impressions:
 
-          Excellent low level details retrieval (similar to the modified Hiface)
-          Excellent resolution: 24bit material is really perceived as superior to 16 bit equivalent (similar to the modified Hiface)
-          Big holographic soundstage, excellent imaging, but lacks a little bit in depth in comparison with the modified Hiface
-          Excellent top to bottom coherency, the timber and pitch of instruments sound very realistic (similar to the modified Hiface)
-          Very smooth and distortion free treble, excellent transient speed
-          Very dynamic sounding, perhaps even better sounding than the modified Hiface
-          Tonal Balance: a little soft sounding at 44.1K and neutral sounding at 96K
-          Excellent upsampling algorithms (to 96K): No loss in the low level details or naturalness, the tonal balance improves (in my system) and images snap into focus.
 
Overall, I feel that the Jkeny’s modified Hiface performs at a slightly higher overall performance. The difference is also more noticeable at 44.1 and not so much at 96K.
However, when it is compared to entry level usb converters (such as the Teralink X2, Musiland), the Digital Interface is a few steps above.
 
Keep in mind that these are some very early impressions (not enough listening, 20 hours of burn-in) that may change after I get to spend more time listening to various recordings with the DI.
My only complaint so far is that it doesn’t accept 88.2K.
 
As a side note, since the first time I listened to Jkeny’s modified Hiface, I have felt that most other converters sounded fake and fatiguing in long term listening. The Digital Interface is the only other converter I have tried so far that seems to be good enough that I don’t feel like I am missing the sound of the modified Hiface when I am not listening to it.

 

[Newk Yuler]

Great and much appreciated to (finally) hear your impressions.
 
Quote:

I received my Digital Interface 2 days ago.

 

[upstateguy]

Quote:

I received my Digital Interface 2 days ago.
 
<snip>
 
.....when it is compared to entry level usb converters (such as the Teralink X2, Musiland), the Digital Interface is a few steps above.
 

 
Thanks for the review Slim.a.  It is much appreciated and enjoyable to read.
 
Realizing that a battery powered transport may be in a class by itself, how does the DI compare to the stock HiFace, which is also one of the entry level converters?
 
USG