Sampling Rate Question

[Tb311]

Ok I just got my Zero DAC/AMP and Im using it with my computer that has the onboard Azalia HD chip. I was getting a crackling sound in the background so I installed ASIO4all and it didn't fix the problem. Then I went into my digital out settings on the computer and changed the sampling rate from 96 to 44.1 and it got rid of the crackling noise. I was wondering what does the sampling rate have to do with it causing the noise, does it have to match my MP3s since its encoded at 44.1khz? Also I cant seem to get the optical out to work with 192khz? Anyone have any ideas?

 

[upstateguy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tb311 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ok I just got my Zero DAC/AMP and Im using it with my computer that has the onboard Azalia HD chip. I was getting a crackling sound in the background so I installed ASIO4all and it didn't fix the problem. Then I went into my digital out settings on the computer and changed the sampling rate from 96 to 44.1 and it got rid of the crackling noise. I was wondering what does the sampling rate have to do with it causing the noise, does it have to match my MP3s since its encoded at 44.1khz? Also I cant seem to get the optical out to work with 192khz? Anyone have any ideas?

AFAIK, ASIO4ALL only works with 44.1

Where in your computer did you change the rate from 96 to 44.1? A screen shot would help.

my ASIO settings

USG

d-_-b

 

[infinitesymphony]

Higher sampling rates are more processor-intensive to play back, and since you weren't playing back the music at its native rate, you were resampling. Maybe your computer couldn't handle it at real-time.

Either way, it's a good idea to play back music at its native rate.

 

[Tb311]

I changed the sampling rate in the control panel using the realtek menu. I dont really care what sampling rate the computer is set at. I guess I was just wondering why there would be stuff higher than 44.1. I thought that maybe it would make the sound more detailed. Anyways as long as I have it on the right setting and everything is sounding great Im ok. Thanks for the info.

 

[E.B.M.Head]

Upsampling introduces noise, especially if you not change the frequency by a factor of 2 (48 -> 96, 48 -> 192, 44.1 -> 88.2 and 44.1 -> 176.4 is OK, but stuff like 44.1 -> 48, 44.1 -> 96 or 44.1 -> 192 is a bad idea and usually sounds worse than the 44.1 original).
Changing the amount of bits usually helps, as this is lossless and shifts the bits out of the computer noise floor that you usually have with PCI or onboard sound cards. Changing 16 bits to 24 bits can help the sound to become better.