[JaymzN]

I'm curious as to what I should have this set to. I just got a Ultra Micro DAC from Headroom and I believe that is upsamples to 24-bit. Now the majority of FLAC/ALAC/WAVs I play in Foobar are all 16-bit.

So,


Q1. Should I keep the foobar output bit-depth at 16-bit? Or set it to 24-bit?

Q2. Should I switch this setting if I choose the play one of the few 24-bit albums I have?

 

[punk_guy182]

Stick to original source for better SQ. That means 16bit and 41khz

 

[skamp]

The DAC's USB input accepts only 16bit/44.1-48kHz PCM, so you need to set foobar's output to 16bit, no matter what your files are.

 

[JaymzN]

Quote:

Originally Posted by skamp /img/forum/go_quote.gif The DAC's USB input accepts only 16bit/44.1-48kHz PCM, so you need to set foobar's output to 16bit, no matter what your files are.

It's very annoying that none of the documentation that comes with the Ultra Micro DAC states any specifics like this. Cheers for the info though!

 

[skamp]

Actually the product page states "a TI PCM2902 chip handles the computer USB to S/PDIF conversion before sending the numbers off to the ASRC and DAC" and the chip's product page states that it accepts 16bit/48kHz PCM as input, at most.

But yeah, DAC device makers should be clearer about the specs of their products.

 

[JaymzN]

I guess when listening to 24/96 files then, I'll just leave foobars output bit-depth at 16. So essentially, it's being converted from 24bit to 16bit by foobar, then reconverted up to 24bit by the DAC. Sounds kind of messy to me

 

[paaj]

luckily going from 16bit to 24bit shouldn't change anything, but yes, it's sad it does not accept 24bit in the first place.

 

[myinitialsaredac]

Actually,
Just for point of reference, going optical or coaxial you can get 24/96 and 24/192 respectively with the ultra micro. I would also recommend setting your output bitdepth to whatever to source mat is, so 16 44.1 for cds.

Dave

 

[EnOYiN]

16/44.1 is simply a limitation of USB 1.1. It's not something you can blame on Headroom really.

 

[skamp]

EnOYiN: non sense, there are plenty of USB 1.1 devices that support 24bit/96kHz PCM (including mine).

 

[myinitialsaredac]

skamp,
"Due to the USB 1.1 bandwidth limitation, a limited number of interfaces can be
activated at the same time depending on the audio mode selected:
* 16-bit/48kHz ==> 4 channels in + 4 channels out
- Ai+Ao+Di+Do
* 24-bit/48kHz ==> 4 channels in + 2 channels out,
or 2 channels in + 4 channels out
- Ai+Ao+Do or Ai+Di+Ao or Ai+Di+Do or Di+Ao+Do
* 24-bit/96kHz ==> 2 channels in _or_ 2 channels out (half duplex only)
- Ai or Ao or Di or Do"

Cheers,
Dave

 

[EnOYiN]

I never knew the above actually. Is it a problem caused by the implementations of the DAC then? My DA100 can't except anything above 16/44.1 from USB, but does support higher bit/ sample rates when connected with a optical or coaxial cable.

 

[skamp]

myinitialsaredac: yes, that's for the M-Audio Audiophile USB. What's your point, besides proving mine?

 

[myinitialsaredac]

I was simply re affirming your point skamp, that it is possible to have higher bit depth and sample rates over 1.1

Enoyin, it is possible, the problem is the implementation of the usb receiver and dac in dacs. Most of them use either the pcm270x or pcm 290x both of which limit to 16/48. Most dac chips handle spdif by themselves and can handle 24/96 or 24/192 from optical and coaxial respectively. Based on bandwith.

*edit* for a bit more explanation, it is my understanding that the acceptor chips have to convert the usb signal to either i2s or spdif before passing it off to the dac or before converting them to analog waves themselves. Herein is the issue.
Dave

 

[skamp]

EnOYiN: I guess they're lying then, because they claim "As a professional D/A converter, the DA100 can handle any input data up to 96 kHz/ 24 Bit as well as the normal CD standard 44.1 kHz/ 16 Bit.".

myinitialsaredac: well, don't tell me