True 24/96 from USB/Firewire...

Hello all. This is my first post so just want to say hi first off.

Great website BTW, and sorry for my "poor" English.

There are many PCs that are ready to play files 24/96 with integrated speakers or via external powered, BUT I am sure that the Music is a downmix to 16/44 or in better cases to 16/48. This is because the audio board (or the processor?) is capable to do "only" this.

During these times, Intel HD audio and maybe others have added the full 24/96 -192 or 32 bit resolution.

My question is, when connected via USB (or better firewire: better because USB 1.0 is NOT capable to send 24 bit, the USB 2.0 yes, but...firewire...) a PC really is streaming 24 bit BYPASSING many chip and components that are usually wrong for an audiophile think? All the PCs? Mor simple: when connected via USB/Firewire, the PC is like a real transport device?

We can speak also about the priority to send current (voltage) from the master processor to the USB ports: not all are in the same way used...

Thank you.

Luca.

Hi Luca - I think some of your assumptions are a little off. USB 1.1 is fully capable of 24/96 audio and is used often. When you connect a 24/96 USB DAC the PC (if setup right) just sends the audio to the DAC. Sure the internal components of a PC are not audiophile centered, but the best you can do now is to have an external DAC isolated from the PC's components.

PCs and Macs are very real audiophile transports! Yes, USB ports are not all the same. See my recent article on this topic.

Is this the kind of information you are seeking?

Hi Luca - welcome to C/A. Your English was fine. I followed it!

Thank you, innertube for the feedback and, of course, to the founder Chris.

Yes, if you mean that a PC when connected via USB (1.1/2.0 ok ;-) or better Firewire (nobody has tested the difference?) is a real transport (so files are worked by the software, to the master chip and then direct to the output port) it is what I needed to know.

I want to be sure because I want to play the hires files (24/96) with the best way from a PC (or similar Hdisk players) connected to my DAC that is capable to accept 24/192. (equibit integrated digital amplifier-dac from Lyngdorf/TacT).

For "best way" I mean the shortest passage and with the best ports...because jitter is there ready to damage the Music!

And remember that main voltage plus the distribution of the current to the port are also wrong...

L.

If you are on a Windows based computer you'll want to use an app like J-River with ASIO to bypass the Windows KMixer and send the music straight to your DAC without an manipulation by the operating system.

On a Mac iTunes is bit perfect natively and will send the audio out to your DAC perfectly.

The USB port used does matter a lot. Since I don't know your system you'll have to test it yourself by trying different USB ports. I play high resolution 24/96 files on my Mac output to a Benchmark DAC1 PRE and it sounds very good. At CES this year a lot of the manufacturers were using music servers via USB.

Thanks Chris,

I have a G4 iMac but I think to replace it 'cause I think its USB 1.0 ports does not stream the 24/96 files...and no spdif is included.

I also have a portable Pentium IV but with its AC97 audio board I am always in a bad situation...

Finally I own a "hifidelio" (european version of olive first release) that is very interessant but...24/44...max.

So, I have to move myself to a better players: I have to note that the notebook is too much noisy (fan) and also desktop iMac uses these gears.

What about Lacie Cinema?

Packard store and play?

http://www.lacie.com/it/products/product.htm?pid=11002

http://www.packardbell.it/products/storage/store-and-play

/Store-and-Play-3500-%C2%A0%C2%A0--%C2%A0320GB/productsheet-C050500000-477.html

Ther are no info about 24/96 output. They have no fan, toslink output...anyway...

Hey Luca - I took a look at those two devices and I'm personally not a big fan of them. They are too limiting for my tastes. I prefer a complete computer so I have all the options available in case I need them. The LaCie product does have a fan in it, but I'm not to sure how loud it is.

I use a MacBook Pro and I can hear the fan(s) at all when listening to music. I think you should look into a new MacBook / Pro. Highly recommended!

Along this line just to clarify, can devices like the Echo Digital AudioFire firewire boxes (http://www.echoaudio.com/Products/FireWire/AudioFire2/specs.php) be used to pass signals such as 24/96 direct to their SPDIF outputs? From what I can tell, they seem to have lots of options regarding bitrate, etc for this, and are Mac-friendly. Relatively cheap, and you get an ADC thrown in for those "old" analog sources. Am I missing something?

Hi Scott...

We have already link here that gear: yes it seems like "Maudio" (http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/flypage/product_id/1777) USB based 24/96 good to handle hires formats; anyway they are "toys" in hiend thinking because the measure are not so good...

If I can suggest this is more interessant and thank you to the right measures:

http://www.lynxstudio.com/lynxl22.html

Ciao

Hi Scott - At first blush it looks like this device supports 24/96 output through SPDIF. Based on experience it might take an email to them to get the final answer. I read the manual, but manuals for these products can be very misleading. Let me know if you want me to get in touch with Echo Digital and I'll do some leg work on this one.

Around here it something sounds good to you than it is good. Doesn't matter to me who makes it or what it costs.

Yeah Chris, I would love to know. Like you, I am not so sure by just reading the manual. If you have a chance to get some info right from the company I would appreciate it.

Well here is what I heard from them.

can devices like the Echo Digital AudioFire firewire boxes be used to pass signals such as 24/96 direct to their SPDIF outputs?

"- Sure"

From what I can tell, they seem to have lots of options regarding bitrate, etc for this, and are Mac-friendly. Relatively cheap, and you get an ADC thrown in for those "old" analog sources. Am I missing something?

"- No, it's no problem at all...."