Psalmanazar
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@castleofargh
Through trial and error I figured out the best settings for optimal sound quality for the original ODAC earlier this month
1. Windows: For out the ODAC disable all enhancements, set 24-bit 44.1 kHz output (or whatever sample rate you will be listening to). The ODAC can't entirely bypass DirectSound (the windows volume control is still enabled) due to true exclusive mode not being enabled in the firmware but we can get around the resampler. Do not make the ODAC the default device and remember to mute the built in soundcard along with all open programs. This will ensure that only Foobar is outputting through the ODAC and no other audio streams are mixed in. Since exclusive mode is not enabled in the firmware of the ODAC, Windows volume control will still be in effect. DirectSound will still be floating the 16-bit PCM output to 32-bit and dithering it back to 24-bit. At least you have avoided the horrible DirectSound resampler with it's ridiculous high end roll-off though. See: http://archimago.blogspot.com/2015/11/measurements-windows-10-audio-stack.html
2. foobar preference, output WASAPI push in 24-bit if you want to use foobar's volume control too for some reason. Under Advanced -> Playback -> WASAPI check high priority.
I'm not even sure the DirectSound ditherer isn't terrible either. My Modi 2 Uber in DirectSound sounded comparable to the ODAC in DirectSound/WASAPI when ABed and somewhat level matched with an Iphone app. With WASAPI event and exclusive checked or using the Cmedia ASIO drivers Schiit supplies, the M2U leapfrogged over the ODAC with regards to instrument separation and treble resolution while also being a little louder than with DirectSound (the amp had to be turned down to be somewhat level matched with the phone app). API support and proper driver implementation might be more important than measurements or whatever DAC is used. I'm not sure how an ODAC rev B vs. M2U would turn out but if the ASIO drivers for the rev. B's USB chipset are actually supported, I suspect it would be closer.
You have it backwards: the VST plugins lower the overall volume on the computer side or have anti-clipping settings you should definitely check that lower the amplitude. Thus you need additional amplification from the amp and the O2 needs to be used in 3.something x gain with the HD 650, sometimes towards 3 o clock for a reasonable volume. The combo just didn't have enough juice to use Sonarworks with already rather quiet recordings. Making the O2 clip the peaks from the output from the ODAC isn't so difficult.
Through trial and error I figured out the best settings for optimal sound quality for the original ODAC earlier this month
1. Windows: For out the ODAC disable all enhancements, set 24-bit 44.1 kHz output (or whatever sample rate you will be listening to). The ODAC can't entirely bypass DirectSound (the windows volume control is still enabled) due to true exclusive mode not being enabled in the firmware but we can get around the resampler. Do not make the ODAC the default device and remember to mute the built in soundcard along with all open programs. This will ensure that only Foobar is outputting through the ODAC and no other audio streams are mixed in. Since exclusive mode is not enabled in the firmware of the ODAC, Windows volume control will still be in effect. DirectSound will still be floating the 16-bit PCM output to 32-bit and dithering it back to 24-bit. At least you have avoided the horrible DirectSound resampler with it's ridiculous high end roll-off though. See: http://archimago.blogspot.com/2015/11/measurements-windows-10-audio-stack.html
2. foobar preference, output WASAPI push in 24-bit if you want to use foobar's volume control too for some reason. Under Advanced -> Playback -> WASAPI check high priority.
I'm not even sure the DirectSound ditherer isn't terrible either. My Modi 2 Uber in DirectSound sounded comparable to the ODAC in DirectSound/WASAPI when ABed and somewhat level matched with an Iphone app. With WASAPI event and exclusive checked or using the Cmedia ASIO drivers Schiit supplies, the M2U leapfrogged over the ODAC with regards to instrument separation and treble resolution while also being a little louder than with DirectSound (the amp had to be turned down to be somewhat level matched with the phone app). API support and proper driver implementation might be more important than measurements or whatever DAC is used. I'm not sure how an ODAC rev B vs. M2U would turn out but if the ASIO drivers for the rev. B's USB chipset are actually supported, I suspect it would be closer.
You have it backwards: the VST plugins lower the overall volume on the computer side or have anti-clipping settings you should definitely check that lower the amplitude. Thus you need additional amplification from the amp and the O2 needs to be used in 3.something x gain with the HD 650, sometimes towards 3 o clock for a reasonable volume. The combo just didn't have enough juice to use Sonarworks with already rather quiet recordings. Making the O2 clip the peaks from the output from the ODAC isn't so difficult.