Thread: Mytek Stereo 192

Given that it appears from this manual that you are using in part the Rigisystems USBPAL system does that mean the Mytek DSD DAC can be easily upgraded to process 384/24 PCM?

http://www.rigisystems.net/index.php/usbpalen.html

There would also appear to be scope for a multichannel DSD (or PCM) DAC using this design?

Hi Michael,
Which player software you have used to test DSD native playback?
Is there any condition for the native DSD playback? (besides the custom driver installation)

... that the waiting time is (almost) over :-)

But I would like to add some additional questions to the ones asked above:

1.
How is the "Volume Trim" function implemented?
If I would like to bypass the analogue volume control, could that function be used to adjust the (maximum) outputlevel to match the input/level requirements for my powered monitor-speakers?
If yes, that would come very handy!

2.
How is the clocking done if used with USB/FireWire playback.
Does it adjust the samplerate according to the incoming stream automatically? (I tend to assume the answer is "yes", ...)

3.
What function does the Dice/JettPLL (TCElectronics) chip have if used with USB?
Is it used as a reclocker?
(because if thats the case, the unit would not work as a "real" USB asynchronous device)

Looking forward for one to try it for myself, but it would be nice to get some things clarified before ... ;-)

Thnanks in advance!

Cheers
Harald

Does it support DSDx64 & DSDx128 via USB 2.0 right out of the gate?

First were supposed to be delivered late August.

Have one on order, but have not heard from dealer.

I think they are too busy supplying kit to communicate!. This DAC has created a lot of interest worldwide. Mine was ordered online on August 2nd and according to Michal Jurewicz, four hours ago or so, "yours either just shipped or is about too within next couple of days". The sales@mytekdigital.com email address on your sales receipt is non functional. Use the web contact form on the .com website.

Ted, as you know I have the Playback Designs, and in order to play native DSD on this DAC you need a Mac USB driver implemented by the DAC manufacturer.
This driver allows DSD native playback on Audirvana Plus and Pure Music.

Audiozorro, after I begin to play native DSD files (about a month ago), I have a mixed bag regarding SQ of DSD versus DXD. I think it depends on the source of the original recording, for example:

DSD from Blue Coast Records, where the source is 2" analogue master tape.

WAVE 24/352.8 from 2L, where the source is the same as the DL, DXD.

My favorite is DSD, even if the files I have are only DSD 64, I can't find anything on DSD 128. There was some some on 2L, but not anymore.

But maybe my ears are biassed to analogue, and those DSD from Blue Coast comes from analogue, and sound (to my ears) as analogue.

When I made some conversion from 24/192 or 24/176 to DSD 64 with Korg AudioGate, I prefer the PCM sound output.

Roch

convert to DFF...it's one of the reasons it exists...for Korg DSD equipment. It converts easily either way. have you used it??

audiozorro, Ted give you the answer, please remember there is a recent version (2.2?)

Roch

Not liking PCM-to-DSD is a whole different issue...you said it was not possible to do with Audiogate!

I also agree that converting PCM to DSD may be a waste. In fact, to me, even my DSD-to-PCM conversions have been hit or miss, as I've stated in a few threads here. There is something amiss with the conversions (and of course the lack of truly professional gear). So, if it's PCM leave it, if it's DSD, find a Mytek. And if it's analog...well then ripping vinyl or tape to DSD prolly makes sense for those with DSD playback.

Currently breaking in this DAC (The black mastering version)and will report here eventually more fully. A couple of points: DSD playback is still an unfolding event as the software support is still materializing so have yet to try that. Sonically, first impressions that is,its very neutral/colourless if not polite as one would expect from a company who makes professional gear but its too soon to give a full comparison without more detailed AB testing and more break in. Its a solid well made little brick. There is a new version of the manual posted online, new firmware expected soon to allow DSD playback with at least one Windows software player. In the meantime ask any questions.

great news. at least real-world users!
could you please tell me what you'll be A/B-ing with?
best regards
André

DSD will be compared with Marantz SA7001KI should be get it working. PCM will be compared wth comparable value/performance items: Musical Fidelity X-DAC V8(Solid state mode) using SPDIF (sourced from SPDIF out on Musiland 02 Xilinx FPGA based USB DAC), and modified Zhaolu D3 DAC via I2S (Cat 5/TG-Link) from a Togo Technologies PCI sound card.

I got mine too today, and so far all the driver-installation (currently "USB 2" only ..., namely for the RigiSystems USBPAL) has went smoothless.

Later I will also test the TC/Dice Chipset-derivers for Firewire on my Dell laptop.

Playing back via ASIO out of Foobar worked without any hickups so far (including auto sampling rate switching - displayed on the Mytek Dac).

Buffer settings are at 990ms for/in Foobar, "Streaming Buffer Size" and "ASIO Buffer Size" set to "small" (acc. 4 + 8 ms respectively) in the Drivers control Menu.

DSD playback doesn't work at the moment (using the SACD decoder plugin for Foobar set to "DSD -autoswitch"), but hopefully this could be fixed asap - because thats my main point in getting this unit anyway ;-) ...

Later I will connect the DAC to my main system to see (hear) if I could detect some sonic differencies to my current rig.
But as thats allways VERY subjective (and speaker/room dependent ..), don't hold your breath on this ...

Cheers
and happy listening
Harald

Its obvious that from the point of view of the hardware the Mytek 192 DSD DAC can playback 64fs and 128fs DSD. Mytek are long time gurus of DSD. However the physical DAC is only one part of the equation. It relies upon an ecosystem of software providers (USBPAL, Firewire, ASIO, Audio client, Firmware) who are in the same boat you are in. They have likely just received the DAC and are testing their software with it. You are going to have to pay the price of an early adopter: patience.

AFAIK there is an overdue firmware (supposed to be released last Monday) update which allows the Mytek ASIO driver to work with Signalyst HQDesktop playback software. Now I dont care for this software myself, it crashes and burns and it seems brittle to me but it will be soon followed by support from JRiver Media Center, hopefully by year end or in the next release of their product of native DSD playback using Asio 2.x/Steinberg API and possibly the dCS proposal. There upsampled PCM solution for DSD works very well even for multichannel DSD and I am sure they will get native working competitively. There is also planned support for Mac Users using Pure Audio. And there is talk with the Korg software developers for Audiogate maybe. Others will no doubt fall into line to offer DSD playback, now there is an affordable, reasonably open standard DAC to work with. Mytek's release will hopefully spur on yet more hardware from competitors.

Its in Mytek's interest to have software that coperates with their DAC and I am sure they are working on it but no software developer wants to release software that doesnt work reliably or that impairs the audio.

If Mytek can't deliver DSD playaback on the Win/Mac platform by the end of the month using at least one player/client then I think we might start an Internet petition.

Signalyst HQDesktop playback software. Now I dont care for this software myself, it crashes and burns

If you manage to crash the current 2.7.1 version, please just send me email and we can see if there's anything we can do about it.