whunter31

I am attempting to set up the J. River Media-Center software – Version 16 and have been so-far unsuccessful. Specifically the software returns the following warning: “Playback could not be started using the format ’88 kHz 24bit 2ch’. The software suggests that the following format would work ’48 kHz 24bit 2ch’ and asks to change settings and continue Playback?” The computer’s motherboard is GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD3R LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX which has provisions for and can be connected through on-board connections for HD Audio Out & SPDIF In/Out. Presently I have the motherboard connected to the Bel-Canto USB Dac 1.5 through the motherboard’s S/PDIF Out connection. I am using Windows Version 7 – 64 bit. The system appears to work at the proper bitrates when I play samples from the HDTracks website. The Bel-Canto DAC reports a bitrate of 192K and the music sounds awesome. However, after purchasing the same album (in FLAC format) from HDTracks and attempting to play any of the album’s selections through J. River, the error is returned. J. River is set up with the following settings: Audio Output: WASAPI Event Style Output Mode Settings: WASAPI Settings: Device: Realtek Digital Output (Realtek High Definition) Open device for exclusive access selected Hardware buffer-size: 100 milliseconds As I say, the system seems to work perfectly when playing album samples from HDTracks through Google-Chrome but the same album does not work when attempting to play through J. River version 16. Would anyone have any suggestions? Thanks - Bill.

mwheelerk, Thank you for your recommendations. Being new at computer music-servers, I appreciate your suggestions and feel that with I have already learned a good deal in the 24 hours since I originally posted my question. I hope to A/B compare the USB with the S/PDIF connections later today; however it makes sense (now) that the greater bandwidth provided through the S/PDIF connection should provide for a richer sound. Thank you again for your help. Regards, Bill

EslDude, Thank you for all of your suggestions. I was successful in connecting the Bel-Canto DAC 1.5 through USB, as well as through the on-board S/PDIF and intend to A/B compare the sound from the two connections today. Also I found a Monster Cable - Interlink® Datalink™ 100 Low-Loss S/PDIF Style Digital Coaxial Cable to use as a digital S/PDIF interconnect. By way of your suggestion to compare an external USB/SPDIF converter like the Musical-Fidelity V-link, I was unable to find any brick-and-mortar stores in the Washington DC area (MicroCenter, Best-Buy) to purchase. Of course, the converters are available for purchase on-line and will need to review alternatives. Once again, thank you for the time you took in responding to my questions. I truly appreciate your advice and hope that I may be able to return the courtesy at some time in the future. Regards, Bill

I apologize up-front for the simplicity in my questions. I am a complete new-bee and would appreciate advice as to the best way to connect a Gigabyte P55-UDR3 motherboard driven computer (Windows 7/Professional) being used as a music-server to the Bel-Canto DAC 1.5 for the best sound. The three methods available for connection are as follows: [*] USB - The Gigabyte P55-UDR3 motherboard's USB port supports the USB 2.0/1.1 specification. This of course, would be connected to the Bel-Canto DAC 1.5 USB Input for playback of any audio format up to a 24/96 data rate. [*] Coaxial S/PDIF - The motherboard incorporates a direct S/PDIF connector which provides digital audio out to the Bel-Canto DAC 1.5's SPDIF1 and SPDIF2 Input RCA connections from any 75 ohm SPDIF source and operates up to and including a 24/192 data rate. [*] Xonar D2/PM sound card - Installing an Asus Xonar D2/PM/A sound card onto the motherboard and utilizing the S/PDIF-out from the sound card. The Asus sound card sample rate and resolution is capable of 44.1K/48K/96K/192KHz @ 16/24 bit, Dolby Digital, DTS and WMA-Pro, according to the manual. Last question - Does S/PDIF require a special cable or can an audio cable such as the Monster Cable Interlink-Reference 2 * High Performance Bandwidth Balanced Audio Interconnect Cable with MicroFiber Dielectric Insulation be used? Thank you for any direction you could provide. Bill