Solution for best PC digital sound output?

[davide256]

Hi all. After doing the Adcom DAC upgrade on another forum thread and upgrading my speakers I decided to play around again with feeding my computer sound outputs to my sound system. So checkbook in hand I went, upgraded my PC motherboard and purchased an Asus Xonar DS sound card.
The results surprised me; into the DAC the computer digital output sounded more musical than the digital outputs of my Linn Genki and Oppo-DV970HD.
So for an expense of around $150 I was getting a more musically satisfying playback from the PC vs CD players.

Now that doesn't mean all is perfect... with the CD players (a) there is more dynamic range (b) better low volume clarity. But at mid volume and higher levels I hear more details with the PC source and I get none of the artifacts causing listening fatigue... I turn the system off because I must do other things instead of listening fatigue. And the external DAC is definitely better than using one on the card....no power supply limitations or noisy environment to overcome.

So my question to the forum, has anyone else had this experience and if so what have they found works to get the cleanest digital output from their PC to a DAC?

My solution so far

Foobar2000 using wasapi plugin, set to 24 bit depth
(Would use VLC if only it had an album view :( )
Asus Xonar DS PCI sound card for optic digital 24bit/48,000 hz SPDIF output

All music ripped in WMA lossless format under WIN7-64 bit

DAC modified Adcom GDA-600

My own ideas so far
(a) buy a better sound card like the Xonar Essence, hopefully that translates
into improved digital i/o but I'd probably only be using 25% of the cards functionality
(b) buy a USB DAC, something like the PS Audio Dlink III... but cant tell from their site if they support asynchronous USB or synchronous (jitter problem child)

[kawizx9r]

Have you thought about going another way about this?

What are you running IE amp/pre/speakers/cables/etc.

I'll say that money you're looking to spend in a USB DAC or soundcard can be better spent on cables between components, cross-over upgrades, even wall/room treatments!

Just my .02

-Freddy

[zingo]

I am currently running my PC music server set at 192/24 via glass Toslink out to my Matrix mini-i DAC, and all lossless files on iTunes. I know iTunes isn't best playback application, but it is very easy to use and provides good options like Remote. I used to run USB and BNC to my DAC, but I like the electrical separation between my PC and stereo rig that optical provides.

However, that toslink connection is out of the MOBO of the PC, so I have a 24/192 PCI sound card on order and will be comparing the Toslink sound quality between the MOBO and PCI sound card. Obviously I'm hoping for an improvement in overall sound quality, but the RCA out will also be a nice upgrade for the media speakers attached to the PC.

[98Badger]

The PS Audio is a very good DAC if you choose to go that route. I've had one in my system for a while. If you decide to go that route you might want to look into the hiFace Evo. I just ordered one after hearing what it did for a friend's system (He has the PS Audio). It basically controls your computer's clock to reduce jitter.

I've personally never had the best luck with computer sound cards, which isn't to say there aren't good ones out there. I currently use the Cambridge DACmagic and am relatively happy with it for now. Room treatments are another good investment as was mentioned earlier. I put them above cables in the hierarchy of what most influences the sound you hear. (Note: The previous sentence is an opinion, not a blanket statement. Lets not open that can of worms again.)

[dkg999]

I've got a basic little PC Audio system using a Musiland 02 USB DAC, MediaMonkey with ASIO plug-in, a Cambridge Audio 550A integrated, and ELT-525 mini-monitors with upgraded x-overs. It sounds suprisingly good!

[davide256]

The PS Audio is a very good DAC if you choose to go that route. I've had one in my system for a while. If you decide to go that route you might want to look into the hiFace Evo. I just ordered one after hearing what it did for a friend's system (He has the PS Audio). It basically controls your computer's clock to reduce jitter.

The hiface is an interesting device since it uses asynchronous USB so should have minimum jitter output to RCA or BNC. I've been reading the web forums doesn't sound like there is any clear concensus on whether spdif or aysnchronous USB is better so will keep an eye out to see after the hiface Evo hits market whether a new concensus develops. Much thanks, wouldn't have known otherwise it existed.

I have found a new ripper favorite... DBPoweramp will decode HDCD's to 24 bit sound and that works well. :D I have a fair number of HDCD's i bought since the Genki is an HDCD player. Getting the full 20 bits output through my computer SPDIF is an improvement both over the Genki digital input to DAC and regular 16 bit CD's. Now if only there was away to rip my SACD's in 24 bit :(

[doctorcilantro]

The hiface is an interesting device since it uses asynchronous USB so should have minimum jitter output to RCA or BNC. I've been reading the web forums doesn't sound like there is any clear concensus on whether spdif or aysnchronous USB is better so will keep an eye out to see after the hiface Evo hits market whether a new concensus develops. Much thanks, wouldn't have known otherwise it existed.

I have found a new ripper favorite... DBPoweramp will decode HDCD's to 24 bit sound and that works well. :D I have a fair number of HDCD's i bought since the Genki is an HDCD player. Getting the full 20 bits output through my computer SPDIF is an improvement both over the Genki digital input to DAC and regular 16 bit CD's. Now if only there was away to rip my SACD's in 24 bit :(

Well, with the HiFace you can mod the PSU if need be, and you get async USB, and a BNC option to connect to your DAC.

[davide256]

After playing around between 16 bit and 20bit recordings the musical difference of more bits is very evident. Since the aged Adcom 600 is only a 20 bit DAC I've decided to try a complete bypass of soundcard and DAC.

I have a MusicStremer II on order and will see how that turns out..."The Music Streamer II features a revised and improved audio DAC along with 24/96kHz compatibility and Asynchronous USB"

Since the reviewers like it, it will be interesting to see how it performs and if it disappoints at $150, well thats only the price of 1 set of Anticables. If it works well, the online 96/24 downloads can expect to see me shopping.