2. pc-audio
  3. 1168589271

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
gmood1
1,251 posts
 
Ben I bought my unit from Buyoyo.com. The guy on agon is based in Canada. These units ship directly from Hong Kong. If their in stock and you go courier shipping. You'll have one within a few days. The UD-10 units are selling faster than the manufacture can produce them. Their always out of stock. I waited a month for mine..hopefully it will be faster for you.

I'm trying to find a 5 volt AC/DC 1.5 amp power supply converter so I can plug this unit into the wall. Not having much luck! I assume the sound would be about the same as using the batteries.
pardales
652 posts
 
I ordered the UD-10 from the dealer on Audiogon last week. I will report my findings after I receive it.

If I am using a MAC with the OS X and iTunes 7 - then do I have all those different settings (sample rates, buffer setting, etc.) some of you PC'rs are talking about through ASIO and Foobar? Would someone else who uses a MAC chime in on this?

I am aware of the Audio MIDI control panel which might have some relevance to this but have not messed with it or seemed to need to.
gmood1
1,251 posts
 
Pardales I wish I could help you with that.Can you use foobar? Just asking because I have no clue. The ASIO is definitely the way to go with the UD-10 using PC. The difference using the ASIO as the output is quite staggering! I tried using the DS:USB DAC and Primary sound driver as outputs. The ASIO was heads above them.

You may want to try that SRC also and see if it makes a difference.

I have a linear power supply on the way. Thanks to a very nice Agon member. This will eliminate the use of the battery supply. Try to find a AC/DC converter that will power the SB3..this same unit will power the UD-10. Make sure it uses a non switching power supply..not the basic wallwart.
thesauce OP
21 posts
 
Just following up with my decision to purchase a UD-10. I received one in the mail yesterday that I purchased from a dealer here on Audiogon. Unfortunately, it died after about an hour of use. This may have been my fault though, I don't know. It worked great until I plugged in the AES/EBU digital. The moment I plugged that in, it threw my DAC into a frenzy, making digital noise and lights on the front were acting weird. I immediately unplugged the digital cable, but my DAC was still going nuts, so I unplugged the power from the DAC (no power switch). Luckily after I restored power to my DAC, it came back up and works fine, but the UD-10 is now dead (at least no output from any of the digi outs anymore, the headphone out still works).

I wrote the seller on this to see how to work the warranty on this thing, but haven't heard back yet. It really sounded MUCH better than my internal card digital outs (coax) and I didn't even get to use the battery yet. So I'm curious... Is it common practice to unplug from the USB any time a digital connection is made to a USB DAC? I want to know if the device was faulty or if it's possible that its my fault for making a connection while it was powered on by the USB. The problem here is that the UD-10 didn't come with any manual whatsoever... not even a piece of paper decribing the device. There was nothing to tell me not to make any connections while it's plugged to the USB. I've done this many, many times in the past (other devices powered on when making digital connections). Actually most DAC's don't even have a power button, so they expect you to plug them in while powered on...

Anyway, it's a sad thing right now. Hopefully it's not a huge hassle to repair/return under warranty. I'll let you guys know how it goes. I will say that for the short while that I heard it, it was much better and I would buy another one if I knew it was reliable.

Ben
gmood1
1,251 posts
 
That's a bummer Ben. Well I've plugged digital outputs up too mine... no problems at all. You are suppose to unplug the USB when plugging or unplugging the power supplies. I haven't seen anything about the DAC being turned off. I've had two DACS plugged up at the same time ..no problems. Maybe the unit was just defective?

If you think it sounded good off the USB power. You should hear it with the battery or linear power supply.

I hope the Agon dealer takes care of you. The unit is definitely worth the $90. You'll spend several thousand on a CDP to match it combined with a good DAC.
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