2. pc-audio
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Help with PC Audio Quality vs. CD

I hope someone with real experience can help out with this. I am having a hard time getting the same quality sound from a PC that I get from a CD player. I recently built a HTPC running Windows MCE and ripped all my cd's using lossless compression. I'm using an M-Aduio Audiophile 192 sound card and run a coax digital out of the PC to an external DAC and to my amps. It just sounds flat to me, not that it's not clear sounding, but the bass is weaker, I can hear a harshness that's not there if I run any old CD player to the DAC through the same connection. Has anyone else experienced this? I keep reading in this forum that people are saying how much better the computer transport is in theory, but I have yet to witness it. I heard that the Windows KMixer is the problem. I tried ASIO and Kernal Streaming drivers that are supposed to bypass this, and it sounds clearer, but still not as 3-dimentional and "black background" as a CD player (and I mean ANY cheap CD player, I've tried 3!)

Can someone out there with an external DAC try this and let me know their results? Use a DVD player or anything with a digital out... I don't get it. My soundcard alone cost 3 times as much as the cheap DVD player I tried and it doesn't sound as good. Anyone experience this or have any suggestions?

Here's my system so you can understand the sound I'm looking for.

I have an external MSB Link DAC III Full Nelson that I've been using for years and I really like the sound of it. I've been using a couple Sony CD changers and running them to a MSB Digital Director that will automatically switch between digital inputs, out to the DAC, then to a tube pre and tube power amp (modded dynaco ST70) and out to a pair of Monitor Audio GR10's. This system (with the right tubes) sounds so sweet to me. I'm into the huge soundstage, crisp, smooth sound - melty mid-range... you know, the analog tube sound!

I have experience in recording studios and work professionally in computers, so I have a good understanding of both, so don't be afraid to get technical with me. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Ben
thesauce
sorenson
2 posts
 
You setup very similar to mine, I also use my HTPC as A/V source with a M-Audio Audiophile 192 using the SPDIF OUT into my A/V Marantz Receiver (acts as DAC) then using the pre-outs into my Aragon 4004 MkII power amp.

as software is concerned I use the latest drivers from M-Audio 5.10.00.5052v3 the great thing about these is that they natively support ASIO and AC3/DTS pass-through.
Foobar2000 0.9.4.1 and lossless FLAC (ripped with EAC).

as for trouble-shooting you problem, first off I would try a different digital IC, you might also want to check the M-Audio Control Panel and check the settings and share with us how you have your software settings set up.

also it is not uncommon for a lot of Pcs to have sub-standard power supplys, it might be something worth looking into, maybe an Enermax or a Seasonic as high quality replacements
gmood1
1,251 posts
 
As promised I am reporting on what the Trends audio UD-10 does or does not do. So far so good! If buying this unit..best to get the battery power supply. It makes quite a difference in my system and easily recognized. The same with the different digital outputs. I tried three of them..optical,coax and BNC. I prefer the BNC to the others.
The BNC was cleaner and clearer.

I noticed more snap with the battery supply running. My only real gripe is not being able to leave the unit plugged to the Converter while it charges. You have to unplug the supply in order to recharge the batteries.

For a $115 which includes shipping ...it is a no brainer if using PC direct. Is it the best USB converter?..I don't know..it is the best for me at the present. Connected to a good Dac and PC on the other end, I find it hard to imagine a one box player embarassing the combo.

I'm officially done with CD players or conventional transports as a whole..just doesn't make economical or convenience sense to me now.

I've watched some of you scream PC audio for over a year now..sorry I'm a little slow.;-)
I'm late to the party with no intentions of leaving it now! LOL

Good listening
racerxnet
54 posts
 
Try running Foobar 8.3 with the SCR and dithering. Yes, adding noise to the DAC can open up the imaging a bit more. Run ASIO4All with the card or asio drivers for Foobar. Make sure you try 44.1 output first. Upsampling in software has proven no discernable difference with my setup. As for Vista being a better software solution for audio, I doubt that it will play a significant part when one considers the DRM and content protection schemes that degrade performance at the consumers expense.

Cheap a** Chaintek 710 sound card modded by me.
Tri Vista 21 DAC
Genesis Digital lens
4- 7BST amps
BP 25 Pre
Infinity RS-1B speakers

Cheap a** Chaintek 710 sound card modded
Tri Vista 21 DAC
Levinson Pre
Levinson 33H amps
Genesis 200 speakers

Happy Listening

MAK
gmood1
1,251 posts
 
I've been listening basically all day to this setup. Reconfiguring the Foobar and ASIO4all many times. I think now the unit sounds fantastic even without the battery pack. Adjusting the buffer to 128 without latency and using the ASIO4all as the primary output in the foobar menu sounds best too me. I set the SRC to 48khz upsampling.

I have no idea what the jitter level is in this UD-10. The website claims +/-10 ppm.I know it's bettter than my Superclock 3 player/transport by a mile.So it must be extremely low from what I'm hearing now. Going back through well known recordings. It makes the soundstage so well defined...like I've never heard before. It does this without glare or hardness.....No edginess either. It is though the lid was taken off. The notes just flow like I've never experienced! I urge anyone not on the PC train..try one of these units out if you already have a non USB DAC. It takes patience and time to find the right settings,but once you find them...Oh my GAWD!!

This is another one of those little Gems that's a true value best buy!
thesauce OP
21 posts
 
Gmood1 - Thanks for sharing! I'm going to order me one. Did you buy from eBay or Audiogon? I haven't got a response from the seller on Audiogon yet...

-Ben
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