PS Audio Announces Fully Balanced USB DAC

saabman · « **Reply #40 on:** 6 Oct 2006, 11:04 am »

I IRC, the worst offender of the MS kmixer is it's automatic resampling of all internal audio signals to 48kHz inside the PC. This is unavoidable unless the ASIO or kernal streaming audio driver is utilized.

Any audio device that allows the kmixer to enter the equation is poorly implemented in my opinion.

kfr01 · « **Reply #41 on:** 6 Oct 2006, 12:23 pm »

Saabman:

I don't think kmixer resamples anymore. You may be relying on old information.

The PS Audio engineers seem to think these issues were addressed service packs ago and that kmixer will now pass just about anything it is input.

Moreover, Vista does not use kmixer.

Finally, I can't hear any evidence of poorly timed or degraded audio.

I frankly think the need to bypass kmixer now is greatly overstated.

saabman · « **Reply #42 on:** 6 Oct 2006, 01:20 pm »

kfr01

Quote

I don't think kmixer resamples anymore. You may be relying on old information.

Not sure who told you that, but I certainly can't find any MS reference to support your statement (but I could be wrong), and every digital output I have seen from a PC has been at 48kHz (which means resampled), except for motherboards that include Realtek 88x based audio chipsets (I know the MSI K8NGM2-FID I own does). These chipsets have a setting that allows digital passthru for no resampling of 44.1kHz audio streams. There may also be a few other audio chipsets that allow this, but I don't think it has anything to do with MS changing Win XP.

Sorry, Vista is so bloated I will never go that route, I've ended my windows purchasing forever. My preference is linux anyway, much better audio options IMO (including slimserver).

kfr01 · « **Reply #43 on:** 7 Oct 2006, 02:47 am »

Can you find a current reference that says MS -does- resample to 48khz? Note, this isn't a flippant challenge, I really think there's a lack of information both ways. All complaints about kmixer seem to be at least a few years old or via "word of mouth."

In any event, my personal opinion is that all of the above is relatively moot, as far as practical audibility is concerned.

BarrelChief · « **Reply #44 on:** 7 Oct 2006, 03:09 pm »

A few of you have them...Can anyone report back on how the new DAC sounds?

Thanks

saabman · « **Reply #45 on:** 7 Oct 2006, 04:12 pm »

Quote from: kfr01 on 7 Oct 2006, 02:47 am

Can you find a current reference that says MS -does- resample to 48khz? Note, this isn't a flippant challenge, I really think there's a lack of information both ways. All complaints about kmixer seem to be at least a few years old or via "word of mouth."

In any event, my personal opinion is that all of the above is relatively moot, as far as practical audibility is concerned.

I'm not sure you understand the implifications of what you are saying, re: audibility.

In XP, MS still resamples everything audio in the OS to 48kHz and also mixes the system sounds (beeps) into the same audio output data stream @48kHz (the original reason for the 48kHz resampling of 44.1kHz audio). This is and always has been a fundamental spec of the XP OS. This also includes all PCI sound cards unless the cards provide special drivers (or you use 3rd party ASIO or kernal streaming drivers). This is true for all analog/digital output ports.

There is a very definate reduction in quality of the 44.1kHz original signal (stored on the hard disk) when it is resampled and played back at 48kHz by the XP OS. Everybody I know who has listened (including all those people on AVS htpc forums) agrees that the 48kHz audio playback is of a lessor quality.

In addition every DAC that has a display of the input datastream indicates it is 48kHz from the PC.

Now if you have a motherboard with a new audio chipset, not identified as AC97, then you may have a chance at disabling this automatic resampling to 48kHz in the chipset driver. This is what I can do with the Realtek 880 audio chipset on my motherboard.

Again, this is not an option in the XP OS, but an option of the audio chipset hardware. You won't find MS admitting this though.

BarrelChief · « **Reply #46 on:** 11 Oct 2006, 02:16 pm »

kfr01 & Zoodog:

Please let us know how you feel about your new DACs.

...how do they sound??? Warm??? Analytical???

Thanks

ZooDog · « **Reply #47 on:** 12 Oct 2006, 12:59 am »

Sorry, I've been distracted lately and haven't listened as much as I would've liked. However, thus far I am very pleased with it. I wouldn't describe it as "warm", but it certainly isn't bright or edgy. It is clean, smooth, dynamic, and uncongested. I will try and perform some more formal comparisons with the X-DAC that I have on hand soon.

So far, I can say that it is worth a try if you are in the market for a $1,000 DAC. As I mentioned before, it appears to offer a lot for the money not only in terms of sound, but in features, build quality, and appearance as well.

BarrelChief · « **Reply #48 on:** 12 Oct 2006, 02:10 am »

Thanks ZooDog.

I look forward to hearing your impressions, as you are able to listen more and do some comparisons.

I am up in the air with what I am going to do with my front end. This DAC seems promissing.

I am curious as to how this DAC compares to the Electrocompaniet ECD-1.

Keep us posted & enjoy!

BarrelChief · « **Reply #49 on:** 3 Nov 2006, 12:52 pm »

Hey Gang:

I am getting ready to move forward with some source changes and am giving strong consideration to going with an external DAC, for the first time.

I am trying to keep my budget at $1K or less. Therefore, this DAC is on the list of possibilities.

My taste leans towards a more "analog," "warm," "smooth/liquid" sound.

So, if anyone has the new PS DL III and can chime in on its sound/character, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks

Hantra · « **Reply #50 on:** 11 Nov 2006, 04:48 am »

Quote from: BarrelChief on 3 Nov 2006, 12:52 pm

Hey Gang:

I am getting ready to move forward with some source changes and am giving strong consideration to going with an external DAC, for the first time.

I am trying to keep my budget at $1K or less. Therefore, this DAC is on the list of possibilities.

My taste leans towards a more "analog," "warm," "smooth/liquid" sound.

So, if anyone has the new PS DL III and can chime in on its sound/character, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks

You REALLY need to hear Scott Nixon's USBTD. He's got one coming out in the very near term that is just absolutely unreal! It's going to be a killer, and I am so lucky to already have mine! The old USB one is just sitting off to the side. This thing is amazing. Scott really outdid himself.

Don't take my word for it. Ask Carlman. He heard it here too.

B

jmourik · « **Reply #51 on:** 27 Jan 2007, 04:30 am »

Guys, any updates on how we like the PS Audio DAC? I'd love to hear what you think about it. Did anybody compare it to the Lavry da10 by chance?

jan