I'm thinking of getting a USB Dac or USB to SPDIF interface, but there's so much conflicting or confusing information about bit perfect, I thought I'd ask for some help.
In Windows 7, am I right in thinking that:
1) For most devices, it is impossible to get bit perfect playback using DirectSound?
2) And that this is even the case if you set the shared audio settings in control panel to match the sample rate, due to dither and/or other processing artefacts always being added by the windows mixer?
3) Some devices however, eg Benchmark DAC1 USB, can play bit perfect and autoswitch with material - despite being driverless and using DirectSound? How do they do that? With these devices, what role does the shared audio settings in control panel play (or is it not even an option..)? Does anyone please have a list of some other devices that can do this, or is there any shortcut to knowing which devices can?
I'm also toying with the idea of using a new Ipad 3 with camera connection kit. I'm wondering:
1) Will virtually any USB compliant DAC/interface work?
2) Does the iPad upsample all material to the maximum allowed by the device? Or does it autoswitch with material allowing bit perfect?
Thanks!
