Chaintech AV-710 Setup Thread, Including True 44.1kHz Wolfson Output in XP

[santiclaws]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brewmaster /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'll throw up a copy of mine. Note that I have Foobar set to ASIO 2 - Prodigy 7.1, 32 bit output. All resampling and other effects dissabled.

You have this going via a digital connection?

 

[Brewmaster]

Ilgello,
Are you using the digital out of the AV710? The Prodigy hack is only for the digital out.

 

[ilgello]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brewmaster /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ilgello, Are you using the digital out of the AV710? The Prodigy hack is only for the digital out.

Yes optical cable from blue jeans....

 

[ilgello]

Quote:

Originally Posted by santiclaws /img/forum/go_quote.gif You have this going via a digital connection?

I thought the Q must be left disabled

 

[Brewmaster]

I don't know what the "Q" is for, but it makes no difference to me if it is on or off.

 

[infinitesymphony]

Let's not get too far off-topic, since this thread is about the AV-710's analog capabilities. It's nice to have a slight diversion about flashing the card to improve digital output, since a lot of people have asked about it, but let's not turn this into a digital discussion.

 

[ilgello]

Quote:

Originally Posted by infinitesymphony /img/forum/go_quote.gif Let's not get too far off-topic, since this thread is about the AV-710's analog capabilities. It's nice to have a slight diversion about flashing the card to improve digital output, since a lot of people have asked about it, but let's not turn this into a digital discussion.

Is there an official thread just for the prodigy ?

 

[edguetzow]

Howdy!

I am new to this fantastic forum thanks to this great thread! I was searching for an upgrade for a sound card and tried the Chaintech 710. It is now bit perfect (analogue with Wolfson DAC)) as set by the initial thread recommendations. The only problem that I was having was that I could not get the Spdif digital out to send a correct DTS signal. After much reading, I found that a fellow Headfier (can't remember the poster or thread) was faced with the same scenario and solved it by simply adjusting the volume on the PCM spdif out to 100%. It had been slightly below full volume and this minor adjustment allowed the DTS signal to be recognized - hence, bit perfect proof! As I didn't notice this in this current thread, I thought it might be helpful to other noobs like me.

I am using a Headroom Airhead (older model) with Senn Hd-495. I have already upgraded to Senn HD-650. The difference is amazing. With enough savings, I will be looking at getting a Gilmore Lite or GS-1.

My setup is currently quite simple:
EAC Flac -> Foobar2K 0.9.5 -> Chaintech 710 -> Headamp Airhead -> HD650

Now I spend a LOT more time updoading and rediscovering the music in my collection!

Ed G.

 

[infinitesymphony]

Thanks for that, edguetzow. It's always nice to hear about satisfied Head-Fiers.

Your point about gain staging is a good one. For proper gain staging and bit-perfect output in Windows, all volume controls should be set to 100%, especially in software players. If you need to lower the volume, the Windows Master Volume slider (often controlled by the sound card drivers' Master volume slider) should be used as it has been found to exhibit the least amount of distortion when below 100%.

 

[andre.beat]

This is probably a silly question but here it goes. If I'm using headphones (HD595) with no amp should I also plug them into the black jack?

 

[infinitesymphony]

Quote:

Originally Posted by andre.beat /img/forum/go_quote.gif This is probably a silly question but here it goes. If I'm using headphones (HD595) with no amp should I also plug them into the black jack?

That's sort of a complicated question. The green jack (VIA DAC) will yield inferior sound quality, but it does have its own amplification section capable of driving headphones. Since the HD-595s only have 50 ohm impedance and high sensitivity, they shouldn't be difficult to drive, so the black jack (Wolfson DAC) is probably fine to use.

Ideally, you should consider purchasing or building a headphone amplifier to have the best of both worlds.

 

[andre.beat]

Yes I'm considering that option but right now it is not an option. By the way I have some stuff in 24-bit 96khz (mostly vinyl rips in flac), if I use this method it will be downsampled to 16-bit 44.1khz right? How should I play it for it not to be downsampled but still have the best quality?

 

[infinitesymphony]

For material higher than 48 kHz, you'll need to switch to the 2CH Hi-Sample Rate mode in the Audio Deck--this will enable the 96 kHz and 192 kHz sampling rates. Then, when you're done, switch back to regular 2CH mode using the method in the first post.

 

[hubcaps]

Does anyone know how to uninstall version 5? Every time I uninstall it and try to install 4.73b, it installs as version 5.

 

[infinitesymphony]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hubcaps Does anyone know how to uninstall version 5? Every time I uninstall it and try to install 4.73b, it installs as version 5.

Just running the uninstall program was enough for me... Make sure to reboot to finish the uninstall process before installing different drivers.

Edit: Also, don't go by the version number listed in the Audio Deck. This number is the Audio Deck software version, not the driver version.