[chrisr34000]

Hello,

I have an Asus Xonar D2X which is connected via SPDIF out to the coax input of an AMP/DAC.

The windows sound mixers offers me following output options:

I get sound playback over "Digital Output" as well as over "Speakers", however the sound is different. Over "Digital Output" I experience a much lower sound volume. Now I'm confused why I have two playback options and why they're so different. Do you know what's the difference between the two?

Also: What is "Asus Xonar D2X Converter"?

 

[shaitan667]

Digital out sends the digital signal to the amp. So the soundcards DAC isn't in use, the amp does all the work.
Using the speaker option via optical or coax, the soundcards DSP comes into play before sending the signal.

Not sure what the converter option is, never had a Xonar

 

[chrisr34000]

Do you know what kind of DSP is happening in "Speaker" mode?

 

[shaitan667]

I have a Creative X Fi Elite Pro, and it offers things like X-Fi Crystalizer, which is some sort of upsampler, EAX for Reverb, CMSS-3D for Virtual surround.

Does the sound card have it's own control panel type app? This is mine as an example -

 

[shaitan667]

Here's the software that you should have -

https://www.guru3d.com/articles-pages/asus-xonar-d2x-sound-card-review,4.html

 

[chrisr34000]

Yes, I have the Asus D2X Audio Center as software. But nothing is enabled in the settings. All effects are off.

I cannot understand why the volume is much higher when using "Speakers" and much lower when using "Digital Output". It's like some gain is applied when I use "Speakers". But why? I only SPDIF OUT and PCM enabled in the Audio Center Software.

 

[shaitan667]

Edit

 

[jiiteepee]

...
I cannot understand why the volume is much higher when using "Speakers" and much lower when using "Digital Output". It's like some gain is applied when I use "Speakers". But why? I only SPDIF OUT and PCM enabled in the Audio Center Software.

Maybe because of there are some op-amps in line-level output (speakers/headphones).