HagUsb.....

It's not really the drivers you need.
If you use Tidal, or JRiver, or whatever, each has to be set to use the output exclusively.

Otherwise all bits go through the Windows audio mixer.

I think this was not the case with older DAC’s or older versions of Windows.


If you have a USB DAC that is more than 8 years old or so you may need it for high resolution playback. The last DAC I saw that was like this was the ARC DAC 8.


Windows versions before 10 may not be able to play music at all with a USB DAC without the driver installed.


Linux is fussy about DSD due to how they embed supported DAC capabilities in the kernel.


If your DAC supports DSD and you can play it, you are all set.


Best,

E

I think Windows 10 finally caught up. Before this, only Linux and OS X had plug and play for USB 2 DACs.


In your player, make sure you select "exclusive mode" and if your DAC has a volume control, set the software to maximum volume.


I have a Topping desktop unit, and the only thing the driver package adds is a little info screen.

Best,
E