[PhilNYC]

I have a potentially very dumb question:

I have a DAC with a USB input.  How do I set up my computer to send digital audio signal via USB?  I assume I just hook a USB cable between the computer and the DAC, then set something in a control panel somewhere...but where?

Answers for both Windows and Mac are appreciated...

[ZooDog]

For Mac:

System Preferences -> Sound -> Output -> click "USB Audio CODEC".

Set system volume to 100%

[PhilNYC]

Thanks, but my Mac does not have USB Audio CODEC...is there somewhere I can download it?  I can't find it on Apple.com

[tvyankee]

in the mac you do have to select it as the device you want to use for sound because when i hook up my stello to it i have to select it.

i think once it is hooked up just go into audio and select it.

hope that helps

[PhilNYC]

Thanks all...it actually turned out to be quite easy, with the computer automatically making the USB Audio Codec selection.

Now here's another question:  With my computer now hooked into the DAC this way, is there anything I need to do to make sure my audio files are being played without any kind of processing done to the file?  I'm already getting all my computer sounds coming out of the system, so I assume there's some kind of processing that might be going on.

[tvyankee]

hey

do you even here the sounds of the computer when the dac isn't hooked up to it.

if you do then there is a way to turn it off.

i had the same thing going on on my mac and i looked for about 4hrs one day and found it.i will try and rember and get back to you.

go into sounds and look around in there.

[NewBuyer]

...is there anything I need to do to make sure my audio files are being played without any kind of processing done to the file?...

Since you asked for both Windows and Mac answers, mine is a general Windows answer...

What DAC are you using? If the DAC manufacturer makes an ASIO driver, you should use it, along with an appropriate ASIO plugin with your software player. If no ASIO driver exists from the manufacturer, you can still use the ASIO4ALL driver (free), or the usbaudio.com driver (not free). Both are excellent.

Also select the "No Sounds" scheme in the "Sounds and Multimedia" area of your Control Panel, and give your audio playback software a highest priority setting.

[PhilNYC]

Since you asked for both Windows and Mac answers, mine is a general Windows answer...

What DAC are you using? If the DAC manufacturer makes an ASIO driver, you should use it, along with an appropriate ASIO plugin with your software player. If no ASIO driver exists from the manufacturer, you can still use the ASIO4ALL driver (free), or the usbaudio.com driver (not free). Both are excellent.

Also select the "No Sounds" scheme in the "Sounds and Multimedia" area of your Control Panel, and give your audio playback software a highest priority setting.

I'm using a Bel Canto DAC3.  It didn't come with any drivers, so I'll try the drivers you recommend...

Thanks!