This is interesting. It means my Mac Mini running the latest OS/X is capable of 24/196 USB output. But who is making a USB Audio Class 2 DAC? Anyone knows?
What is the reality of USB and High Sampling Rates
Here is some information that I found on a Website. Thought that I would share it:
THE WELL TEMPERED COMPUTER
An Introduction to Computer Audio
USB Audio Devices can use USB 1 or USB 2 but all conform to the USB Audio Class 1 specs. USB Audio Class 1 supports resolutions up to 24 bits/96 kHz. All operating Systems (Win,OSX,Linux) support USB Audio Class 1 natively. Alot of USB DAC's are limited to 16 bit 32/44.1/48 kHz. This is obviously not a limitation of the USB Audio Class 1 Driver but a matter of a cheap Hardware solution. The more expensive models support the full Audio Class 1 Standard. Very few support the Sample Rates 176 and 192kHz because this requires the development of a custom USB Audio Driver. The Final Specs. for USB Audio 2.0 were released early (2009). USB Audio Class 2 now supports 176 and 192 kHz. At this moment (August 2010) USB Audio 2 is available in OSX 10.6.4 and Linux. It is unclear if Microsoft is going to support USB Audio 2.
Not my words guys. Any comments?
THE WELL TEMPERED COMPUTER
An Introduction to Computer Audio
USB Audio Devices can use USB 1 or USB 2 but all conform to the USB Audio Class 1 specs. USB Audio Class 1 supports resolutions up to 24 bits/96 kHz. All operating Systems (Win,OSX,Linux) support USB Audio Class 1 natively. Alot of USB DAC's are limited to 16 bit 32/44.1/48 kHz. This is obviously not a limitation of the USB Audio Class 1 Driver but a matter of a cheap Hardware solution. The more expensive models support the full Audio Class 1 Standard. Very few support the Sample Rates 176 and 192kHz because this requires the development of a custom USB Audio Driver. The Final Specs. for USB Audio 2.0 were released early (2009). USB Audio Class 2 now supports 176 and 192 kHz. At this moment (August 2010) USB Audio 2 is available in OSX 10.6.4 and Linux. It is unclear if Microsoft is going to support USB Audio 2.
Not my words guys. Any comments?