Chaintech AV710 SSRC Resampling with Foobar2000

[kamuela]

I just got my Chaintech AV710 yesterday and I'm really impressed with the sound I'm hearing directly to a loaned pair of Grado SR60's. This has been my first investment in anything to really better my audio setup, etc, and as of now, I'm very happy I made it.

Anyway, I've followed a lot of the guides on the site to set it up, and I'm using the 1.43d to get away from the apparent volume bugs in the newer VIA drivers. I'm using Foobar 0.9.4.2 and since there's no 24-bit with padding to 32-bit option, I'm just using 32-bit (as my computer likes to crash after 3 seconds of playing with just 24-bit enabled, heh) and I'm hoping that's not degrading the sound in anyway, and I am indeed experiencing 24-bit sound. I have enabled output through the Wolfson DAC with the "Enable High - Sample Rate (96KHz)" radio button ticked in the VIA drivers.

Now, on to my real question. If I understand this concept correctly, Kernel Streaming bypasses the windows sound mixer and outputs directly to the card. Knowing this, the sound coming out of Foobar has to be compatible with what the card is configured to accept, hence 24-bit, 96000KHz sound. I am using KS with foobar and the SSRC resampler, resampling to 96000KHz in Ultra mode. When I switch resampling to 44.1KHz, the playback stops with a KS error. This makes sense to me. However, what doesn't is how playback continues when I resample to 48KHz, 88.2KHz, 96KHz, 178KHz, and 192KHz. Shouldn't none of these modes be working while the AV710 is using the Wolfson DAC? It makes me wonder if I'm really using Kernel Streaming, or if my card is setup correctly... It would be wonderful if my underlying logic or anything could be corrected, but yes, any help is appreciated. I'm going to be honest and say I don't notice MUCH of an improvement with the change in sound from onboard, but I understand it's because my ears are probably not really trained in picking up the differences, and my sources are mostly V2/V0 LAME MP3. Anyway, thanks in advance.

Also, I'm also wondering how I could configure direct 44.1KHz 16-bit playback. I've tried different configurations with ASIO4ALL/KS and haven't been able to figure that out. Optimally, I'd like to compare original CD sound with upsampling to see what I liked. Thanks one last time!

 

[infinitesymphony]

I'm using the latest driver that allows direct 44.1 kHz playback (by using a hack), v4.73b. I've never used 1.43 and don't know if it has the same trick, but with 4.73b, you need to disable the hi-sample rate mode (change to 2 CH regular mode), enable the S/PDIF digital output, and switch Sample Rate to Auto. Then, magically, you'll get 44.1/48 kHz sound from the Wolfson DAC. The only "volume bug" that I could see was that the meters no longer displayed volume information, since the card assumed everything was being output digitally.

Before I downgraded from the most recent drivers (v5.00b), I too used Foobar + resampler + KS at 96 kHz. I tried SRC, SSRC, and the included PPHS, and actually found PPHS to sound the best. Either way, the sound was a little on the bright side, very extended but a little unnatural at the same time. Sometimes, the sound in Foobar would just cut out, even when I hadn't touched anything. Plus, resampling was a huge CPU drain. After setting up true 44.1 kHz playback, the sound became more neutral and balanced, and the few sound errors I had before disappeared.

The guides here on Head-Fi are somewhat outdated and contain contradictory information. I'd suggest at least giving 4.73b a try after uninstalling your current drivers.

 

[kamuela]

Thanks for the tip, and I think I like the sound better as well.

 

[EdT]

I am also considering on getting this card, but I have two questions first, I need to set it up to provide a signal from the DAC to my amp(non-optical), I believe that is the last jack(Rear Surround) next to the optical out and also a jack for my unamp Grado headphone. Currently, I have a 7 year old Yamaha Waveforce 192XG, it does all the above very well except it won't support 96k/24bit.

1. Is the DAC output only on one jack when set to high sample rate 96k/24bit ?
2. Is there a seperate jack just for the heaphone and is it loud enough, how does it sound ? on the Yamaha the volume slider on the KMixer is on the 2nd notch and it is already very loud with ASIO or KS in Foobar2000.

 

[infinitesymphony]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdT /img/forum/go_quote.gif 1. Is the DAC output only on one jack when set to high sample rate 96k/24bit ? 2. Is there a seperate jack just for the heaphone and is it loud enough, how does it sound ? on the Yamaha the volume slider on the KMixer is on the 2nd notch and it is already very loud with ASIO or KS in Foobar2000.

1. Yes. Hi-sample rate mode only applies to the Wolfson DAC, and its output is only on the black plug labeled "Alt. Out."

2. No, you'll have to plug directly into the Alt. Out. The sound will be underwhelming because the output, like any other source output (ex. CD player, external DAC, etc.), is designed to be sent to an amplifier. That said, some people find plugging headphones into sound card outputs to have acceptable sound quality.

 

[EdT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by infinitesymphony /img/forum/go_quote.gif 2. No, you'll have to plug directly into the Alt. Out. The sound will be underwhelming because the output, like any other source output (ex. CD player, external DAC, etc.), is designed to be sent to an amplifier. That said, some people find plugging headphones into sound card outputs to have acceptable sound quality.

You mean plugging it to the other channel outputs won't sound good for headphones ? Guess I am going to keep using my Yamaha, too bad not many here have it to compare.

 

[infinitesymphony]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdT /img/forum/go_quote.gif You mean plugging it to the other channel outputs won't sound good for headphones ? Guess I am going to keep using my Yamaha, too bad not many here have it to compare.

No, I'm saying that you can't use the other channel outputs at all when you're using the Wolfson DAC / Alt. Out. If you want to use the Wolfson DAC, you're limited to one output.

 

[EdT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by infinitesymphony /img/forum/go_quote.gif No, I'm saying that you can't use the other channel outputs at all when you're using the Wolfson DAC / Alt. Out. If you want to use the Wolfson DAC, you're limited to one output.

Thanks for the info, that sucks, I need at least two output jacks connected to the DAC

 

[infinitesymphony]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdT /img/forum/go_quote.gif I need at least two output jacks connected to the DAC

The problem is that it's not the sound card's job to distribute the output; that's the job of a source selector like a receiver. So, it's unlikely that you'll find a card capable of satisfying all of your needs without a workaround here or there. Assuming you won't be using the two devices (i.e. headphones and amplifier/speakers) at the same time, you could always use a Y-adapter. You'll need a 1/8" male to two 1/8" female adapter.

Something like this: Monoprice 1-2 Stereo mini Y-adapter



Some Cablesforless alternatives:

https://www.cablesforless.com/index....D&ProdID=13734
https://www.cablesforless.com/index....D&ProdID=13731

I'm not sure how well those companies are set up to handle orders to Canada, so it might be worthwhile to check your local electronics stores for something similar (or even better).

 

[EdT]

Using the Y adapter would tax the ouput signal. Right now I just mute my "Line Out" to my phones on my current sound card when I use the "Speaker Out" to my amp. I don't want to keeping plugging and unplugging the plugs which can lead to other wear of the jack.

 

[infinitesymphony]

I sympathize with you there... I don't like extra connections either, since they'll only degrade quality (though by how much, I'm not sure). You should save up and get something nice, like one of the E-MU USB interfaces (0202, 0404). They're good values (can't beat studio gear for that) and they both have dedicated headphone jacks.