[n0ah]

i've strictly used USB for years due to never having a computer with SPDIF. finally got one. am currently using WASAPI with foobar for my amp/dac. i only see a couple spots to tweak anything and i'm just wondering what's recommended. on foobar's output data format, 16bit is selected. is that what i should stick with? lastly, going to the properties of my optical this is what all is chosen: http://gyazo.com/d6b266f5d3f5269d62755596d3a1c143.png - should i change anything here? any other tips here?

 

[iceman23]

Set it to the maximum your DAC can support. Most audio is 16 bit, but some SACD and HD tracks are 24 bit. In either case it's quite hard to tell a difference.

 

[Slogra]

Man, 48khz is bad. You should choose 44.1khz output because CD's are also 44.1khz. Try to spot the difference, it can be huge (depending on the resample quality of your soundcard/software).
 
16bit or 24bit doesn't really matter. 24bit won't hurt either so choose that.

 

[Mad Max]

Up-/down-sampling colors the sound and ruins it.  =\
If you don't mind, then don't worry, some people love it.
 
You may get some mild improvement in fidelity with the Dithering option enabled, but you have to output 16-bit.  24-bit or 16-bit, it doesn't really matter since you won't hear a difference between the two unless, purportedly, you turn up the volume until you do hear a difference, but your ears will certainly not survive.

 

[n0ah]

my DAC supports 24bit/96khz - i'm understood on the 16 vs 24 debate but back to what Slogra said, should i stick with 44.1 or do 96?

 

[monoethylene]

If you have 96kHz sampled source than you have to choose to passthrough 96kHz IMO.
 
Another thing is if your DAC can upsample to 96kHz. You can choose this possibility of your DAC because it makes the reconstruction to the analog signal "easier".