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Best Digital Input from PC to DAC

I'm currently using a Kimber USB cable from my PC to my DAC to play FLAC files ripped from my cd collection to a hard drive. Although the results are quite good I'm interested in other Goners experience with USB or alternate input choices using a lap top computer for manipulating music streams. I've found that FUBAR and the free ASIO drivers render the best results in play back.
frontier1
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Cerrot - you have not heard every USB converter or DAC, so please reserve judgement. I will put my USB converter up against your Firewire anytime. I'm confident that I would win the shootout.

I realize that you believe your system sounds great etc., but trust me, there are lots of systems out there are are superior. Everyone is at a different level here. It is all relative.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
frontier1 OP
42 posts
 


Thanks for the grate feedback.
I'm using the Emm Labs DAC 2 which has numerous input choices, 1 of which is USB. I find the results to vary significantly from my stand alone single box player. Music files sound Slightly distorted and compressed. I know this DAC is capable of very good audio output.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
If you are using XP, I would recommend unmapping the device. This will make the USB interface sound a bit better. USB interface quality varies a lot from one product to another, so it may stil not be better than the S/PDIF input. Here is how to unmap:

Go to Control Panel - System Hardware - Device Manager - Sound Video and Game Controllers – Empirical 1.1 - Right-Click and select Properties - Audio Devices – Empirical 1.1 - Properties - Set "Do not use audio features" and set "Do not map through this Device"

You will need to reboot and then if you change it back to mapped, then you must re-boot.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
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