Streaming DSD? I'd like to know that myself.
otherwise, Could be off here some from poor memory, but here’s my slant.
ASIO and WASAPI are more protocols than drivers. Initially Audio Stream Input output, ASIO came along early on as a better way to diminish lag times for recording purposes between software and hardware.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_Stream_Input/Output
Audio Stream Input/Output (ASIO) is a computer sound card driver protocol for digital audio specified by Steinberg, providing a low-latency and high fidelity interface between a software application and a computer's sound card.
A bunch of software apps allowed or included ASIO protocols for music playback via USB sound cards to yield as best a SQ as could be had by defeating or at least circumventing the windows sound mixer which was impossible prior to ASIO tech.
When Windows Vista came along WASAPI became a default for the new OS way for handling audio formats. Its pretty much an alternative to ASIO but allows for volume control from the app.
I believe its more flexible to with varying word lengths and bit rates.
As previously stated, Kernel streaming and direct streaming are alternative paths for sending music out of the digital environment and onto or into digital converters, despite the interface being used.
Different streaming protocols offer this or that. I’ve used them all. They seem more hardware dependant than anything else. IOW some apps support KS for ex. And some don’t.
Some streaming protocols will only be seen or accepted by the hardware, the interface may be proprietary in some cases.
If your DAC doesn’t convert, see, accept, or support DSD, you’ll have to depend on your soft app to convert it to PCM. I’ve yet to meet the DAC which won’t play PCM info.
Some servers will do the conversion of DSD to PCM too. Some renderers will as well.
I’ve not become familiar enough with DSD 64/128 or DOP to say more. I’ve never heard of DSD quarto. Just Master Quality Audio, as tidal is streaming.
Here is a link to Roon KB that might help too.
https://kb.roonlabs.com/Audio_On_Windows
otherwise, Could be off here some from poor memory, but here’s my slant.
ASIO and WASAPI are more protocols than drivers. Initially Audio Stream Input output, ASIO came along early on as a better way to diminish lag times for recording purposes between software and hardware.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_Stream_Input/Output
Audio Stream Input/Output (ASIO) is a computer sound card driver protocol for digital audio specified by Steinberg, providing a low-latency and high fidelity interface between a software application and a computer's sound card.
A bunch of software apps allowed or included ASIO protocols for music playback via USB sound cards to yield as best a SQ as could be had by defeating or at least circumventing the windows sound mixer which was impossible prior to ASIO tech.
When Windows Vista came along WASAPI became a default for the new OS way for handling audio formats. Its pretty much an alternative to ASIO but allows for volume control from the app.
I believe its more flexible to with varying word lengths and bit rates.
As previously stated, Kernel streaming and direct streaming are alternative paths for sending music out of the digital environment and onto or into digital converters, despite the interface being used.
Different streaming protocols offer this or that. I’ve used them all. They seem more hardware dependant than anything else. IOW some apps support KS for ex. And some don’t.
Some streaming protocols will only be seen or accepted by the hardware, the interface may be proprietary in some cases.
If your DAC doesn’t convert, see, accept, or support DSD, you’ll have to depend on your soft app to convert it to PCM. I’ve yet to meet the DAC which won’t play PCM info.
Some servers will do the conversion of DSD to PCM too. Some renderers will as well.
I’ve not become familiar enough with DSD 64/128 or DOP to say more. I’ve never heard of DSD quarto. Just Master Quality Audio, as tidal is streaming.
Here is a link to Roon KB that might help too.
https://kb.roonlabs.com/Audio_On_Windows