Hello! Please help a newb to use the amp properly.

[Kreisleriana]

 
Hello! So I've borrowed NuForce amp/DAC from my friend to get a general impression, but I'm already baffled by the interface properties. From my understanding, upscaling the image and video files often causes degradation in quality, but I'm not sure how the amp works with respect to this one. I know that 16bit/44.1khz is the CD quality, but is it the optimal default format that I should choose? The amp should have usb output of 24/96, but I'm not entirely convinced of my choosing that option.
 
Thank you, in advance!

 

[TheAudioDude]

Quote:

 
Hello! So I've borrowed NuForce amp/DAC from my friend to get a general impression, but I'm already baffled by the interface properties. From my understanding, upscaling the image and video files often causes degradation in quality, but I'm not sure how the amp works with respect to this one. I know that 16bit/44.1khz is the CD quality, but is it the optimal default format that I should choose? The amp should have usb output of 24/96, but I'm not entirely convinced of my choosing that option.
 
Thank you, in advance!

Just go for the highest setting.  In my experiences, I can't tell a difference between the 'Default Format' settings.
 
On second thought, maybe it's because I'm bypassing the Windows mixer.  What sounds best to you?

 

[Kreisleriana]

I honestly haven't tried all of them.

How do you bypass the windows mixer?

 

[kboe]

If your library is recorded at 16/44, then thats what your output settings on your computer should be set to.  

 

[Kreisleriana]

Thank you for clarifying!

 

[TheAudioDude]

Quote:

I honestly haven't tried all of them.

How do you bypass the windows mixer?

If you use foobar, WASAPI should be fine.  Also keep in mind those settings you took a picture of are for when you're playing audio in shared mode.  Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but by bypassing the windows mixer and using WASAPI, you are in exclusive mode.  I believe this can be confirmed by playing audio in foobar, and then seeing if you can play back another audio file in a different program (perhaps even a movie in a different media player).  You should only be able to hear your music and the movie will be silent, even if foobar is simply open and nothing is playing... hence 'exclusive mode'.
 
Also, if your audio files are encoded at various sampling rates and you're bypassing the Windows mixer, your DAC should take care of any necessary upsampling and whatnot.  Picking different settings under Windows will have no effect on the audio quality.