[fliz]

If I'm planning on using WASAPI exclusive mode, and feed an outboard DAC (Exemplar XD-1) a 24bit/192kHz stereo LPCM bitstream, would there be any noticeable sound quality difference between using the Realtek ALC889 (on my motherboard) vs. an M-Audio Audiophile 192?

I'm on Windows 7

-a

 

[deadfones]

It's my understanding that the bits coming out of an onboard port will be the same as a dedicated card, and it's up to the dac to translate the 0s and 1s into something audible. The difference will be the kind of bitdepth and sampling rate supported.

 

[FallenAngel]

I don't think the ALC889 is bit-perfect, so going to a dedicated sound card or usb-s/pdif converter will be a better solution.

 

[fliz]

renethx of avsforum said this:

"You don't need a sound card for bit-perfect stereo LPCM over S/PDIF. The onboard S/PDIF (Realtek ALC889) supports 16/20/24-bit 32k/44.1k/48k/88.2k/96k/192kHz stereo LPCM. You just need Kernel Streaming (XP), WASAPI exclusive mode (Vista/7) or ASIO."

I'm inclined to believe that he's right (which would mean that 16/44.1 was truly bit-perfect).

Now, my question is this: if I want to output 24/192 to my dac, the soundcard (ALC889 or MA192) would be responsible for upsampling, correct?

now, does one card do a 'better job' of upsampling to 24/192?

Also, I know there's also the musiland monitor 01 USD as an option.... Does this sit "in between" the other two options? Will a Lynx outperform the MA192 (even though it only does 24/96)?

I'm only interested in the quality of the S/PDIF out I don't care about the sound cards' analog sections as I'll *never* be using them.

thanks!