Audio-GD NFB-11.32 & NFB-11 (2014) (Delivery & Impression Thread)!!!

[koonyue]

Kingwa,
 
We all know fw#4 and driver v1.2 is newly release, and personally I really don't mind if the native VIA ASIO driver can work under 32-bits or not (I switch to Linux recently)
 
However, since all my previous DAC are working with ASIO 32 bits, it is the only way I can compare your DAC with my previous one, head to head
 
To:extreme4099
"This is assuming you already have set the sample rate to 32 bit + Whatever sample rate you chose higher than 44.1k in the A-GD usb deck"
 
Yes, I have choose 32 bits in A-GD usb back (aka Envy control panel), see my post here
http://www.head-fi.org/t/638251/audiogd-dac-with-asio-problem
 
I have the same conclusion as Warrax, the new VIA ASIO driver can only work under 16bits, as it show in this screenshot posted by Warrax before:
 

 
So, I only have ONE question, can Kingwa, or anyone, give me a screenshot like above in Foobar, showing a bitrate beside 16 bits, be it 24 / 32 bits, whatever. Please let me know and share your settings
 
It is no use for us to try difference settings, or reinstall driver (already did this > 10 times), just post a screenshot to proof the driver is OK (either XP / Win7).
 
Thanks

 

[PeterCraig]

I'm thinking ASIO 4 ALL is required if you need 32 bit output.
 
Anyway ASIO output is in test mode only at this time.  So I'm also thinking that if it is not working to your liking or need then suggestions are a better approach on how you would like to see these latest Firmware and Drivers be improved or modified.
 
The default for USB-32 is Firmware #3 and Driver v1.1 which does not support ASIO.

 

[Voltot]

Hi all. I have a problem with optical NFB11.32 input through ASUS Xonar's STX s/pdif and same problem through my motherboard digital output. Music with 192khz sampling rate doesn't play. Used different audio players such as foobar2000 winamp, Aplayer etc, changed Xonar's driver.
From audio-gd site: [size=small]Optical model: 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz (176.4KHz and 192KHz available if the source support)[/size]
Kingwa I need you help and advice.

 

[Saraugie]

Website is down

 

[FredG]

Quote:

I have the same conclusion as Warrax, the new VIA ASIO driver can only work under 16bits...
 

 
 
And I can confirm with JRiver and driver 1.21 under win7 64bits:
 
 
 

 

[Kingwa]

Quote:

Hi all. I have a problem with optical NFB11.32 input through ASUS Xonar's STX s/pdif and same problem through my motherboard digital output. Music with 192khz sampling rate doesn't play. Used different audio players such as foobar2000 winamp, Aplayer etc, changed Xonar's driver.
From audio-gd site: [size=small]Optical model: 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz (176.4KHz and 192KHz available if the source support)[/size]
Kingwa I need you help and advice.

Most optical transfer output have limit up to 96K because optical transfer  the bandwide limit .
Like the one well know USB conversion which is made in Italy, the manual have declare the optical output is up to 96K supply.

 

[Voltot]

Thank for your reply.

 

[Eryk]

Hi,

I'm new owner of Audio-gd NFB-1.32 DAC.
I have firmware #3 for USB chip.

I have connected it to the Squeezbox touch via USB.
I have installed EDO (enhanced digital output) written by Triode.
Everything works fine except one thing.

DAC doesn't work in asynchronous mode under Linux.
Squeezbox touch is build on Linux.

This is problem because it operate only in adaptive mode.

And as I understand USB audio 2.0, this mode means that
Squeezebox or any other device is master (and using his clock)
when sending digital audio to DAC. My DAC is with the upgrade
for USB clock (additional TCXO clock). So these means that
in this adaptive mode this clock isn't used and instead of this
much worst clock from squeezebox (or other device) is used.

So going to asynchronous mode and using this TCXO clock
should be a better solution for sound quality.

Here I have question for anyone who has connected his
NFB-11.32, NFB-7.32, NFB-1.32 or Reference-5.32
or any other DAC using USB-32 chip ( VIA Vinyl Audio VT1731 )
to PC working under Linux or any other device based on Linux
to check settings if his DAC works in asynchronous mode.

You have to open file with device list:
cat /proc/asound/cards

check the name for USB-Audio Device, in may case it is
1 [SVB202D ]: USB-Audio - SVB-202D
i-top SVB-202D at usb-fsl-ehci.0-1, high speed

go to this device folder and display stream0 file, in may case it will be
cat /proc/asound/SVB202D/stream0

and check if you have any async interface for this device.

I have three interfaces and all of them are adaptive. Description for first interface:

Interface 1
Altset 1
Format: S32_LE
Channels: 2
Endpoint: 4 OUT (ADAPTIVE)
Rates: 44100, 48000, 88200, 96000, 176400, 192000, 352800, 384000
Data packet interval: 250 us
Max Packet Size = 768
EP Attribute = 0x0

If you are using Squeezebox with EDO plugin you can go to the
Settings -> Audio Settings -> Digital Output
and select your USB audio device in my case it has name 'SVB202D'.
And check what type of connection it using.

If everyone will have the same results it means that firmware for
USB chip has to be changed to support asynchronous mode for
USB Audio 2.0.

 

[koonyue]

Eryk,
 
I am using Ref 5.32 DAC, with FW#4 and driver v1.2, and confirm async usb work under my Puppy Linux / MPD setup, by CAT out the steam of the DAC
 
I also try the latest driver v1.21, also no problem for async USB
 
Maybe try switch to FW#4?
 
 

 

[Eryk]

Hi Koonyue,
 
thanks for this advice. I didn't change to FW#4 because it was mantioned
on the page that is not 'not in warranty'. I hope that changing firmware doesn't
break the warranty for the DAC.
 
So I changed firmware to #4. In the same time I'm happy und unhappy.
I have now async mode for NFB-1.32 but it doesn't work properly.
 
Sound is played slower than it should and popping (I hope that is good
word to describe this).
 
So I'm checking what can be wrong. As I understand you don't have
such problems. And what about this drivers. I thought that these drivers
are for Windows? There are drivers for Linux?
 
I noticed some changes. Now DAC is reported as 'Audio-gd', not a 'SVB202D'.
And the beginning of the file
  /proc/asound/Audiogd/stream0
is as follows:
 
Playback:
  Status: Running
    Interface = 1
    Altset = 3
    URBs = 3 [ 7 8 8 ]
    Packet Size = 776
    Momentary freq = 48000 Hz (0x6.0000)
    Feedback Format = 14.18
 
and used interface is following:
 
  Interface 1
    Altset 3
    Format: S32_LE
    Channels: 2
    Endpoint: 4 OUT (ASYNC)
    Rates: 44100, 88200, 48000, 96000, 176400, 192000
    Data packet interval: 500 us
    Max Packet Size = 776
    EP Attribute = 0x0
 
when I'm playing 44100 file. But it says that frequency is 48000.
Can you play 44100 file and check what you get in this file?
And attached it to your post. I will be grateful.

 

[Kingwa]

The web page declare not in warranty was mean this firmware chip not in warranty, if with correct replace, the gear can't have any damager .

 

[Kingwa]

USB32 driver v1.22 suport ASIO 32bit for test .

 

[Eryk]

[size=10pt]Hi Kingwa,[/size]
 
[size=10pt]thanks for clarification.[/size]
 
[size=10pt]Hi Koonyue,[/size]
 
[size=10pt]I’m still working on playing 44.1khz music. I tried to find way I have this 48khz. I found something like this:[/size]
[size=10pt]    https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=75895[/size]
[size=10pt]and setting this on my system doesn’t help. I tried to change [/size][size=10pt]defaults.pcm.dmix.rate[/size][size=10pt] param in /usr/share/alsa/alsa.conf to [/size][size=10pt]44100 too.[/size]
 
[size=10pt]This person had 48khz in hw_params file. I have following content:[/size]
[size=10pt]/proc/asound/Audiogd/pcm0p/sub0$ cat hw_params[/size]
[size=10pt]access: MMAP_INTERLEAVED[/size]
[size=10pt]format: S32_LE[/size]
[size=10pt]subformat: STD[/size]
[size=10pt]channels: 2[/size]
[size=10pt]rate: 44100 (44100/1)[/size]
[size=10pt]period_size: 13107[/size]
[size=10pt]buffer_size: 131070[/size]
[size=10pt]so probably without any re-sampling. But I have 48khz ‘Momentary freq’ in stream0 file. [/size]
 
[size=10pt]I also read about MPD setup (I don’t have MPD). I know now that standard setup has re-sampling to 44.1khz.[/size]
[size=10pt]Could you check your /etc/mpd.conf. If you didn’t change anything you should have something like this:[/size]
[size=10pt]audio_output { [/size]
[size=10pt] type     "alsa"[/size]
[size=10pt] name     "My ALSA Device"[/size]
[size=10pt] device   "hw:0,0"     # optional[/size]
[size=10pt] format    "44100:16:2" # optional - here we have fixed sample rate #[/size]
[size=10pt] …[/size]
[size=10pt]}[/size]
 
[size=10pt]and this means that MPD re-samples everything to 44.1khz and output as 16 bits.[/size]
[size=10pt]So comment using ‘#’ the line with ‘format’ and check (probably after restart) how it works now.[/size]
[size=10pt]You can add line with ‘auto_resample "no"’ too, according to http://mpd.wikia.com/wiki/Tuning.[/size]
[size=10pt]And you can add ‘mixer_type "none"’ to be sure that nothing changes signal on his path.[/size]
 
[size=10pt]I would like to know which version of alsa do you use and more about your configuration.[/size]
[size=10pt]Could you give the number displayed by[/size]
[size=10pt]    cat /proc/asound/version[/size]
[size=10pt]and could you attached your files:[/size]
[size=10pt]    /etc/asound.conf[/size]
[size=10pt]    /usr/share/alsa/alsa.conf [/size]

 

[Saraugie]

I must admit that I am not technical as you folks. I try to follow along to stay current on my 11.32 but get lost in all the programing language. As a user all I really am looking for plug and play, set the parameters and enjoy the music.
 
It makes me wonder if I am really getting the 88200 / 32 bit the Midi program is set to?

 

[PeterCraig]

Quote:

USB32 driver v1.22 suport ASIO 32bit for test .

V1.21 was a different direction than V1.1 and better in many ways.
 
V1.22 sounds like an upgraded V1.1 and I really dig it.  I like this direction, sounds good to me Kingwa.
 
Using VIA ASIO output w/Foobar.  Listening to Eric Dolphy's Out There and hearing it for the first time it seems.
 
EDIT: Ooops, appears I had V1.22 installed incorrectly.  It was sounding warm and fuzzy like V1.1.  I guess I like that fuzzy sound; perhaps I need a tube amp.
 
Anyhow another restart of my computer corrected the "problem" and, although I have not compared them head-to-head, V1.22 now sounds like V1.21.  More accurate, tighter bass, more details.  No doubt it sounds like the USB-32 interface has improved significantly but I also enjoyed "warm and fuzzy"

 
EDIT - please see this post for an update:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/624517/audio-gd-nfb-11-32-delivery-impression-thread/285#post_9005046