Hi, I have always found the CA site a very resourceful means of answering computer audio questions and I've learnt a lot from it. From my understandings, a much better way to play music in computer is to bypass the Kmixer in Windows OS and use driver like ASIO, WASAPI or kernel streaming instead of the Windows driver like Direct Sound.
However, I got a contradictory result when running Winamp in my Win 7 (X 64) system. I tried using ASIO4all driver with ASIO plug-in in Winamp but the sound is not as good as using Direct Sound. Same result stands true when I play music with Foobar2K using ASIO or WASAPI plug-in. In those cases, Direct Sound always gives better SQ, especially with Winamp - sounds much cleaner, more details and dynamic, wider sound stage with tighter bass. In all cases, I left the driver settings at the default levels.
My HTPC has a Auzentech HDA Xplosion 7.1 sound card connected via USB to a MF V-Link then to a V-Dac through coaxial. This is a better connection than optical Toslink.
Theoretically, using ASIO or WASAPI to send bit-perfect signal direct to the sound card should produce a better result but my ears prove it otherwise.
I wonder if anyone can explain the phenomenon I have gone through or does anyone has a similar experiment like mine.
Thanks
