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KMixer bypass

Aug 23, 2011 at 12:50 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 21
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szanella

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Hello everybody!
 
First of all, I'm sorry if this has already been answered.
I guess it must have at leats many times, but I swear I tried and didn't find the answers.
 
I have a HiFiMan EF2A DAC/Amp, which uses a Burr-Brown PCM2702 DAC chip.
 
I've been trying to use ASIO to bypass the KMixer and get bit-perfect.
 
Problem is, when I enable ASIO4ALL through Foobar2000, I still can control the audio with the Windows Volume Control, and I feel no quality diference.
I can listen to the music, but it is pretty much the same as the output through iTunes.
I've been testing using a Ultrasone Pro 900, so I guess that's not the headphone's fault hehe.
 
Am I doing something wrong here?
Can I achieve bit-perfect with this DAC?
 
My computer rig is a Core 2 Duo 2.66 GHz, 4gb RAM and the computer audio card is integrated with the motherboard, with no S/PDIF out.
 
Thanks a lot!
Stefano
 
Aug 23, 2011 at 3:14 PM Post #3 of 21


Quote:
karn1911 said:
Are you using XP? If not, Kmixer no longer exists in later Windows versions.
Click to expand...



Hello Karn!

Yeah, I messed up, it's Windows Vista the one I use.
Still, I downloaded the WASAPI dll and although the computer plays only the music through Foobar, I can't hear any sound improvment.
 
Do you know what can it be?
 
Aug 23, 2011 at 4:14 PM Post #4 of 21
First, go into your BIOS and disable your onboard sound. This should now leave your HiFiman as the only playing option. Make sure it is enabled, put in any settings that you want and away you go.
 
I am using kernel streaming as opposed to either WASPI or ASIO and find this works very well. Foobar has a downloadable plugin for KS.
 
Hope this helps
 
 
 
Aug 24, 2011 at 5:42 AM Post #6 of 21


Quote:
heatfan12 said:
Hello Stefano,
 
Like holden... stated, you have several options...I use KS, ASIO4ALL, ASIO (for dedicated devices) & WASAPI (Foobar, Winamp, iTunes (DS).  Is the output device set correctly?  You put the .dll in the component folder?
 
 
Click to expand...

Looking at this I see that you seem to be using the Realtek output and this won't give you direct digital streaming as it's going through your soundcard. If you scroll up you can select KS USB device or WASAPI. Further up is your EMU404 running ASIO.
 
Now is this is what you are running or are you trying to indicate to the OP what he has/has not done that is affecting playback?
 
 
 
Aug 24, 2011 at 6:07 PM Post #9 of 21
Cheers holden4th...
beerchug.gif

 
 
I use Foobar, Winamp & iTunes.  For complete album playback only Foobar, for single tracks on shuffle Winamp & iTunes (when you're kinda in the various genre mood).
 
My listening station has several dacs (E-MU 0404 USB, A-GD NFB-3, Matrix Mini-i, A-GD FUN (A), LD DAC_I as well as two usb to spdif converters- A-GD DI & Pop Pulse PC Link II) hooked up, that I listen through speakers and headphones, so it varies. 
 
When I use Winamp it's usually ASIO4ALL for the device or dedicated ASIO drivers (E-MU0404USB, Musiland Monitor 01USD, when in use).  In iTunes, of course DS (though I check the WASAPI tick box in QT audio properties to feel better...lol...but it's not true bit-perfect, the sound mixer still has volume control).
 
Now in Foobar, I mix it up.  Again, ASIO for dedicated devices, WASAPI & KS.  With all my dacs powered on, this is what my Foobar output dropdown looks like....Good times.....
biggrin.gif

 
 
 

 
 
 
 
Aug 24, 2011 at 7:24 PM Post #10 of 21
Hello Holden4th and HeatFan!

Thanks a lot for helping me :)
 
So, I tried what Holden said and disabled the audiocard in the Bios.
It didn't solve the problem, windows volume still works! =\
 
Heat (awesome gear btw! haha), I'm pretty sure I made everything right, including the .dll's in the components folder.
 
This is a screenshot of my Foobar:
 

 
('Alto-falantes' means 'Speakers')
 
Why can't I still bypass the windows sound processing???
 
Thanks again!!
Stefano
 
Aug 24, 2011 at 8:46 PM Post #12 of 21


Quote:
heatfan12 said:
Ola Stefano,
 
Thanks!!! 
beerchug.gif

 
Well, it looks in order.  Have you tried KS (Kernel Streaming).  PCM2702 is your dac.  Don't know why it would not work.  It should override windows settings.
 
 
 
Click to expand...


hehehe Ola Heat!
 
Yeah, I've tried it too, and it's the same!
Actually, on every option (DS, KS, ASIO and WASAPI), the sound is precisely the same and I can control the volume through Windows.
The only difference with WASAPI is that it blocks every other program access to sound....
 
Maybe there is something wrong with my PCM2702 drivers? I just don't know...

Thanks again!!!
 
 
Aug 24, 2011 at 10:56 PM Post #13 of 21
Her is a simple test you might like to try
 
Download J River Media Center 16, and enable kernel streaming in output mode just to see if this will run. This is what I am currently using and it works perfectly. One thing that occurred to me when I looked at your screen shot is I couldn't see any indication that this is operating as a USB device. Are you running this from the USB? I don't know the device so this is why I am asking. Also, what OS are you using? I might also ask if you have disabled all other devices (including speakers) in your Sounds and Audio Devices section in the control panel. If you haven't then disable everything but the HiFiman.
 
BTW, I much prefer J River over Foobar but of course after the 30 day trial it isn't free.
 
Aug 24, 2011 at 11:13 PM Post #14 of 21


Quote:
holden4th said:
Her is a simple test you might like to try
 
Download J River Media Center 16, and enable kernel streaming in output mode just to see if this will run. This is what I am currently using and it works perfectly. One thing that occurred to me when I looked at your screen shot is I couldn't see any indication that this is operating as a USB device. Are you running this from the USB? I don't know the device so this is why I am asking. Also, what OS are you using? I might also ask if you have disabled all other devices (including speakers) in your Sounds and Audio Devices section in the control panel. If you haven't then disable everything but the HiFiman.
 
BTW, I much prefer J River over Foobar but of course after the 30 day trial it isn't free.
Click to expand...


Hey Holden!
 
I got the JRiver, and it's still the same... no quality difference and windows volume control workin =\
 
I'm running the HiFiMan EF2A from USB in a Windows Vista with Service Pack 1.
It's the only audio device connected to the PC, and the onboard audio is disabled (through BIOS). In the Control Panel, the PCM2702 is the only audio device...
 
This is really bugging me!
And the Jriver does seem much user friendly-er than the Foobar hehehe - I liked it! :)
 
Thanks!!
 
 
Aug 25, 2011 at 2:05 AM Post #15 of 21
Hi Szanella
 
The fact that you can still control the volume through your Windows mixer suggests that some form of onboard sound is still operational (as you've already said) The only thing I can think of is that you also have jumpers/switches on your motherboard that need to be manually changed to either enable or disable the onboard sound and these need to be reset. You might like to go the manual that came with your mobo to see if this is the case.
 
Some other thoughts:
 
Is your computer 'sounds' scheme still working? if so disable it.
 
Did you save or merely exit when you disabled sound through the BIOS?
 
Does "speakers" (Alto falantes?) show in the audio control panel? It shouldn't.
 
I am at work at the moment but I've got some good sites this sort of thing at home. When I get to it I'll post the website.
 
EDIT:
 
I found these sites very helpful
 
http://www.usbdacs.com/Windows/Windows.html
 
http://www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/downloads/Windows_7_Optimization_Guide.pdf
 
 
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