panord

Just to correct my original posting... the usb>spdif converter I am using is a Xitel Pro-HiFi Link. I don't know where I was coming up with Xilink as the manufacturer (duh). Not sure if that helps to provide any insight on the problem with kernel streaming.

Thanks PeterST. I did confirm the master volume control is disabled when the audio device is unmapped. But there does appear to be some resampling. The Monica can handle 16bit/48khz, but I have been able to play some higher res files through just the unmapped device. I have not been able to play the high res through ASIO4ALL. The Xilink is an older usb>spdif converter. I bought it 5 yrs ago when I first dabbled in computer audio. I gave up on it then because I didn't want the computer in the living room with the stereo and running long cables was impractical. The wireless setup solved that issue. Eventually, I'll look for a better interface than the Xilink. ASIO4ALL seems to work seems to work OK with the Xilink/Monica combination. Not sure why this works but not the kernel streaming plug in. I thought ASIO4ALL was kernel streaming in an ASIO wrapper...but I'm outside my realm of expertise, here. I had not tried XXHighend since, from what I've read, it is designed for Vista and 7, not XP. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I have, what I hope, is a simple question. I am not a computer expert, so bear with me. Does unmapping the audio device in XP accomplish the same goal as kernel streaming via ASIO4ALL? I have an Acer Aspire One with XP Home (couldn't pass up the Black Friday deal). It is linked wirelessly to my main computer which is acting as the music server. Using the usb from the Acer >Xilink HiFi Pro usb-spdif converter>Monica3 dac. I am currently using Foobar and have tried the kernel streaming plugin, but can't get it to work through the usb connection. I do get good results by using ASIO4ALL, but if unmapping the audio device accomplishes the same results it seems like a simpler solution and ASIO4ALL is unecessary. It does seem like I get a little more full bodied sound using DirectSound through the unmapped device vs ASIO4ALL (could be psychological).