Submitted by The Computer Au... on Thu, 07/22/2010 - 22:12
The Computer Audiophile Frequently Asked Questions section is now up. The FAQ section contains questions plucked from the CA forum and questions frequently sent to me via email. The first batch of questions and answers has been published. These questions range from beginner to advanced, but the answers are aimed at readers without extensive knowledge of computer audio. The FAQ section will grow as additional questions arise in the forum. In addition readers can now send questions to faq@computeraudiophile.com. Clearly not all questions can be answered in the FAQ section but the most popular and interesting questions will be published. As usual all readers are encouraged to first ask their questions in the forum. Very skilled CA readers from around the globe with an incredibly broad range of knowledge frequently answer questions quickly. I've elected not to allow user comments in the FAQ section as these comments often confuse new computer audiophiles. All reader comments and suggestions regarding the FAQs are encouraged in the forum or via the FAQ mailbox.
To access the FAQs please click here or the icon near the top of the home page or the left menu link.
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Chris Connaker
Founder
Computer Audiophile
Cool stuff Chris,
hopefully, this will help people achieving bit-perfectness and managing their collection quite faster than browsing (lately somehow hot) forums topic.
Definitely a good idea not to allow comments in this part.
Elp
Yep good stuff :)
1)Cond dis block. Sony Viao(xp32+ASIO4all+foobar) Belkin Pro USB. HRT Music Streamer Pro. Custom balanced XLR interconnects. Exposure 25RC integrated (XLR input mod+caps/res+transformer mods). Modded World Audio HD83 HP amp.HiFi Cables air lock speaker cables. Custom 3 way 52 litre monitors,Volt bass&ABR, Scanspeak mid&Hi. HD595 cans.
2)Quantum Elec based active system self built.
Nice! You mentioned you already had this idea in mind (when we talked at the recent Century Stereo event), but it is great to see. Huge numbers of new people will be entering the CA world for the first time over the next several years. I think having an up-to-date knowledge base will help everyone: new users can get some basic answers while the vets can spend more time digging into the technical minutia. You and this site are really pioneers in getting the word out about this evolution to audio playback.
Regards,
-Max
This is a great addition to the site. Looking forward to this section growing by leaps and bounds.
Thanks for this - and all the other efforts you put forth. Much appreciated.
The FAQ makes it easier to guide new users along our path.
Great idea Chris! Simple yet effective. It already answered 3 questions I had but didn't ask since It seemed too obvious but wasn't sure anyway. Now I know!
I often have questions that I know the answers has to be somewhere in threads but there are so many in here that provide that you know your site/threads well, It might be a good idea *sometimes* to give links to some threads in here thats gives more details on some FAQ. I've learned an awful lot just by reading those. Even the Weiss DAC202 all-over-the-place review thread! :-)
Thanks.
Thanks Chris
A great addition.
If it sounds better to you then it is better...
I should log it in the proper place.
Would you consider widening the interfaces mentioned in the 'What's better FireWire or USB DACs' question? You've already included S/PDIF and Ethernet in the answer to 'What is a DAC and do I need one?', but then make only FW and USB the subjects of the next question. I realise they're probably the most popular, but to me it seems incomplete.
One good turn etc...
Thanks,
ZZ
ZZ - Thanks for the feedback. You wouldn't believe how many people ask the question "What's better FireWire or USB DACs?" It's such a FAQ that it required its own "spot." Another FAQ including more interfaces may be in order.
Chris Connaker
Founder
Computer Audiophile
Chris, can I suggest another question for you...
"How do I connect my DAC (which doesn't have a USB or FireWire interface) to my computer?"
I'm thinking here you could mention USB to SPDIF converters, cards such as Lynx and Asus and ESI, etc.
Eloise
Mac OSX 10.5 with iTunes (mostly ALAC) --USB--> Musical Fidelity A1008 --> B&W CDM 7NT (iPhone remote)
@Eloise - the simple answer would be use a Mac via toslink but then you know that ...and i'm being flippant ..sorry my dear...
@Chris - the Mojo album is pretty good at redbook basic - I gather most of the tracks were one or two take with minimal overdubs...
ooops ..wrong thread ... too much wine ..sorry
yours, rockin, tog
I think you may have an error when you say "all Firewire DACs need software drivers to be installed".
I am using a Firewire DAC on my MacBook and it did not need any drivers to be installed. The Mac recognised it straight away when I plugged it in, and I just had to select it as the audio output in the Audio Midi application.
Hi syganymede - Thanks for that info. What DAC are you using?
Chris Connaker
Founder
Computer Audiophile
It is a very low cost one made by Behringer, the model is FCA202. For all its low cost I like the sound. It is powered from the Firewire connection and has balanced audio outputs. I don't know which DAC chips are used... perhaps you do?
Hi syganymede - Thanks for the info. I just read the manual and it says drivers should be installed. Here are two paragraphs from the manual.
-> To ensure that your FCA202 works properly, make sure you install the drivers before connecting the hardware to the computer. Otherwise, the hardware will not be correctly identified and in some circumstances will not work correctly.
-> If you have already cable-connected your interface, break the connection between the FCA202 and your computer, and then restart your system. Then, install the drivers as described in Chapter 2.2. Connect your audio interface only after you have successfully completed the installation.
Chris Connaker
Founder
Computer Audiophile
Hi
The manual I have says you need the ASIO drivers for Windows and goes on to say
"Things are much simpler with the Mac® platform. With OS X, there is only one driver model, the CoreAudio® driver. Thus there ́s no need to worry about which driver to select."
I am using a MacBook so this works for me...
posting glitch.