As many of you know I have been more than dabbling in computer audio multichannel, especially DSD. I wrote the SACD Ripping Guide for Dummies, have over 1100 of my SACDs (and all my DVDA's) ripped to hdd (DSF files for DSD) and wrote a review/primer on a prototype stack of three (3) Mytek stereo-192-DSD DACs and a USB hub doing native DSD 5.1. But of course that solution is a bit kludgy (although wonderful sounding) and requires lots of cables, etc to simply put the thing together.
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=113946.msg1187909#msg1187909This is a sneak peek at a new one-box Exasound E28 multichannel asynch USB DAC. It lists for $3299. I will write the full formal review for ComputerAudiophile dot com, so come over there in a couple weeks if interested at all in this stuff.
It does all sample rates, from 44k to 384k PCM and DSD64, DSD128 and DSD256 (in both standard 44k integer multiples and now 48k integer multiples, all the way up to 12.288Mhz), in stereo or up to 8 channels. The 48k integer DSD capability is especially good for things like foobar's DSD uspample plugin that can target 24/48k, 24/96k, etc. files.
The pics are an indicator of this wonderful DAC that I am privileged to be the first to review. The prototype is RCA outputs only (mini-XLR is a custom order) it has a remote for volume control (if going direct) and input selection (USB, coax, toslink).
Note: the picture of it playing a 12.288 DSD file is actually a 2 channel one as my test pc for this review is my Atom-based client CAPS server, opposed to my other i7-based Asus Zuma powerhouse) and can't quite handle that ridiculous (theoretical, as no software available yet) 8 channel bandwidth of 12.288Mhz. It shows 8 channel as that is the driver I am using. The next firmware update will show actual channels in use. The other pic is realtime music playing in 5.1.
I have been playing multichannel DSD and PCM (from ripped SACDs and DVD-A's, and a few downloads) all week. JRiver does a great job of handling mutlichannel playback, and my jremote ipad app is all I need to browse the library. JRiver even has a DSP function where I added 10db for the PCM LFE level (the DSD LFE was fine, and the DSP function does not run in DSD anyway...so no need to turn on and off). Channel trims can be done in the ASIO driver console or via your analog multichannel preamp. The only sticking point is channel delays, should your speaker distances not be ITU spec'd. This would require a DSP function in Jriver that would not be in effect for DSD playback (or a user selection to downconvert DSD to PCM...yuck). Luckily in my case I have an ITU equidistant setup.
Stay tuned. I hope this is of some interest here, as hi-end DSD (and PCM) multichannel computer playback is AMAZING!
