[eclein]

My new doctors have insisted that I sit and relax more so I've got myself a nice little setup going using my laptop as a media center PC and of course all the gadgets that requires. So I got jriver media center because WASAPI is apparently the best way to go when outputting audio from a PC. When setting up playback options WASAPI and WASAPI(event) are options which one do I pick?
 When I chose WASAPI I get an error message "unable to playback with current settings"....wasapi is just a way to bypass the windows kernal and get right to the base audio file-I think? So what settings do I need to make, change, forget about, etc..?
 I'm using a SONY VAIO Laptop- WIN7 HomePrem 64bit< USB < Grant Fidelity Tube DAC-09 < Virtue TWO.2 Amp < JBL's

 Are there some basic settings somebody could tell me who uses jriver MC and WASAPI that I could start with to see whats tripping me up. I'm just taking shots in the dark here, I'm using WAVE out and it sounds fine but is there better, is it WASAPI, ASIO (which works 90% of the time). Thanks in advance!!

[srb]

Are you trying to playback files with higher resolution than 16/48, or are you also unable to play standard 16/44.1 files?
 
Steve

[eclein]

Yep, and the error message reads can't playback file at 16/44.1 it may be that your hardware doesn't support it.

[srb]

Under Options > Audio > Audio Output > Output mode settings.....
 
change the format to 16-bit and 44.1KHz and see if standard redbook files play.
 
 
Steve

[eclein]

At those settings Steve nothing would play, but jriver actually threw up a message I didn't need a PHD to understand and said change the settings to:
 2 Channel
 48
 32 bit
and now everything plays, even the 24/96 files I have from HD Tracks and they all sound exquisite, now I really got something here in the way of a nice sterling playback option. Thanks for the tip Steve!!

[srb]

Yes, but I believe with a sampling rate setting of 48KHz, J.River MC15 is downsampling everything to that sample rate.  I could be wrong, but I suspect perhaps if you now try to play a 24/192 file, it will play, and you know the DAC-09 can't do 24/192 via USB (or any input).
 
Steve

[eclein]

Steve, so if I set it up "Resample all...." , 48, 32bit everything plays and everything sounds great and I'm happy if this is it.

1) So I'm taking all my sources 24/96,24/88.?,16/44.1 and resampling them up or down to fit in the 48, 32bit mode right?
 
2) If I want to hear the files in all their hi-rez splendor I would change the first setting to "No Resampling" right? and I'm pretty sure that doesn't work so where is the hardware failure, is it the DAC, the laptop, software,???

3) Looking at the settings ...audio, settings, I should set the resampling option to resample anything above 96 and below 44.1 I think it says correct? and this would get me where I'm trying to go.

 Like I said I'm enjoying it the way it is, just trying to get the last little "bits".

[srb]

Steve, so if I set it up "Resample all...." , 48, 32bit everything plays and everything sounds great and I'm happy if this is it.
The general consensus is that JRiver's resampling software is superior to the Windows resampler.

1) So I'm taking all my sources 24/96,24/88.?,16/44.1 and resampling them up or down to fit in the 48, 32bit mode right?
Yes.

2) If I want to hear the files in all their hi-rez splendor I would change the first setting to "No Resampling" right? and I'm pretty sure that doesn't work so where is the hardware failure, is it the DAC, the laptop, software,???
Yes. The DAC is the limitation.

3) Looking at the settings ...audio, settings, I should set the resampling option to resample anything above 96 and below 44.1 I think it says correct? and this would get me where I'm trying to go.
Yes, you want to avoid resampling your 16/44.1 files to 16/48.  If 24/96 files play with the setting to resample below 44.1 and above 96, use that setting.  If they don't, set it to resample everything above 44.1, if available.
 
Like I said I'm enjoying it the way it is, just trying to get the last little "bits".
A DAC with a 24/192 USB input or 24/192 S/PDIF input with a 24/192 USB to S/PDIF converter would obviously allow you to get all the bits you're paying for with rather expensive high-res file purchases.  But if you have a sense of better quality with high-res files, JRiver/WASAPI and your existing DAC, that may also be partially attributable to JRiver's superior resampling and greater care taken in the mastering of the high-res files.  And your 16/44.1 files should sound better untouched by the Windows 16/48 resampler by using WASAPI exclusive mode.
 
 
Steve 

[Vincent Kars]

If this link is your DAC
http://shop.grantfidelity.com/Grant-Fidelity-Tube-DAC-09.html
This page says
•USB chip is used to transfer data only, decoding is at 24 bit.
•Supports sampling frequency of 32k, 44k, 48k, 88k and 96kHz (automatic - not manually selectable)

In JRMC setting the bit depth to 24 and no resampling should allow you to play the sample rates mentioned above.

[eclein]

Thanks Steve!!!!  When I got it to play the first time yesterday with WASAPI it was obvious to my ears that this is the best way to go for me. Thank you again!!!