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USB Audio Output Recommendations? Questions...

Now that I'm actually ripping all my CDs to hard drive in uncompressed format, I'm looking into USB audio outputs again... One thing I can't figure out is whether the 24/96 USB devices are USB 2.0 or USB 1.1--I think someone implied in a prior thread you really need USB 2.0 to do 96 kHz sampling. Any ideas?

Right now I'm using an Edirol UA-1D hanging off an WinXP Pro box and running coax to a Theta IIIA DAC. From there, it goes to an ARC LS16 to a pair of ARC D240IIs to a pair of ProAc RS2s. Doesn't sound bad at all, but I wonder what sonic benefits I get by going to 96 kHz sampling... The UA-1D, to my knowledge, only does 24 kHz.

Which brings me to my questions. How do you get playback of WAV files at 96 kHz sampling? I'm using MusicMatch for playback, but just for it's organizational features. Can 96 kHz playback be enabled in that? Should I switch to foobar or something else?

Anyone compared the Edirol UA-5 with the Waveterminal U24 or the M-Audio Audiophile? Anything else that should be on the list?

Thanks for any input.
edesilva
9 responses Add your response
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
I routinely use the M-Audio Transit to playback 24/96. It uses a special driver and with Foobar2000, it will do 24/96. They is by-far the best-sounding digital playback, even a bit better than iTunes.

Steve N.
Manufacturer
Empirical Audio
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,143 posts
 
Your CDs are 16/44 and unless you subject them to sample rate conversion and bit interpolation they will stay 16/44 when ripped to your hard drive.
edesilva OP
768 posts
 
Sorry, noticed a typo--meant 44.1 kHz sample rate instead of 24 kHz in my original post.

Now I'm even more confused, and I'll be the first to admit that sample rates are not my forte. Are all CDs 16 bit/44.1 kHz sampling rate? (If there are CDs in 24/96 format, are they converted to 16/44.1 when ripped using EAC?) I ripped a remastered "Willy & the Poor Boys" last night that purported to be 20 bit. Are they just referring to the master? If CDs are all 16/44.1, how do transports output 24/96--is that upsampling? Is there a process analogous to upsampling that can be done in a computer for WAV files? Would it be of any benefit?

Argh. Thought I actually had this figured out for a minute.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Are all CDs 16 bit/44.1 kHz sampling rate?

YES

(If there are CDs in 24/96 format, are they converted to 16/44.1 when ripped using EAC?) I ripped a remastered "Willy & the Poor Boys" last night that purported to be 20 bit. Are they just referring to the master?

YES

If CDs are all 16/44.1, how do transports output 24/96--is that upsampling?

YES

Is there a process analogous to upsampling that can be done in a computer for WAV files?

YES

Would it be of any benefit?

Yes, this is what I was explaining above. Foobar and Transit drivers upsample to 24/96. Sounds much better than 16/44.1

This is why I highly recommend getting a DAC and converter that can pas 24/96.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,143 posts
 
Sample rate conversion and word bit interpolation are CPU intensive processes. You might be better off keeping your files at 16/44 and getting an upsampling D/A.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
I have a good upsampling DAC, the P-3A. Doing it in software seems to be better than with the Crystal chipset.
edesilva OP
768 posts
 
Thanks for all the good input... Anyone have any feedback on the various devices out there--Edirol/Waveterminal/M-Audio? I don't like the transit b/c it doesn't have coax out.

Also, in terms of computer interface issues, if I'm running the hard drives off USB 2.0, should I stay away from a USB audio interface and use firewire instead?
rives
953 posts
 
We use (and sell) the waveterminal U24 for our acoustical test kits. I use one at my desk and have it connected to a pair of Stax headphones. It's really excellent sound--but it is a very "matter of fact" kind of sound. I wish I had the tube amp for my Stax--that would sound a great deal better.
awagner2957
1 posts
 

I seem to have awful luck with USB audio devices. I've gone through an iMic and an Edirol UA-1X and they have both functioned properly for less than a year, if that.

I think my next attempt to upgrade my computer audio system will be with S/PDIF and an external DAC or AV reciever. Or maybe I just need to throw more money and get a firewire based adapter...
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