2. pc-audio
  3. 191415-193215

Windows Sound Basics - ASIO WASAPI etc

It seems surprisingly hard to get basic information on improving sound from a Windows PC to external DAC.

Specifically I want to bypass the default sample rate set in sound settings and have this passed as per the source. Source could be browser, Tidal app, music player etc

I'd appreciate any help to confirm if the below is on the right track and if there are any good links that I have not found yet.

Seems to be plenty of technical discussions but nothing on the basics to get there.

What I think so far:

  • WASAPI, ASIO and a kernel method are the options to bypass windows sample rate
  • WASAPI should be standard on any recent windows build and to use it there needs to be a setting in the app. I can find no settings in the Tidal app. Haven't checked browser yet.
  • ASIO has to be installed and relies on compatibility with the DAC chip or driver. Unclear how to check compatibility with my old and out of support DAC - Auralic Vega.

PC in this case is an Intel NUC and output to DAC is via USB.

Starting to see why streamers are popular, but even with one of those in the system the NUC will remain for streaming TV and Apple Music and I want this to be good.

In terms of general settings I cam across these sites, but it doesn't cover bypassing windows sample rate.

https://support.focusrite.com/hc/en-gb/articles/207355205-Optimising-Windows-for-Audio

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/guide-properly-setting-up-tidal-for-best-sound-quality-when-using-a-usb-dac.790382/

And these were good to understand WASAPI and ASIO but not how to implement:

ASIO https://www.thewelltemperedcomputer.com/KB/ASIO.htm

WASAPI https://www.thewelltemperedcomputer.com/KB/WASAPI.htm

 

incoming
gdaddy1
130 posts
 

I had the same run around so I ended up signing up with Audirvana. Compatible with either Tidal or Qobuz. They had a bundle deal that ran about $125 for the year. Pre-paid and they threw in 2 free months of Qobuz. 

Audirvana does exclusive mode and bypasses the computer completely and suggests using KERNAL as most direct instead of WASPI or ASIO. 

I am very pleased with the results.

incoming OP
17 posts
 

That's good to know, thank-you @gdaddy1 

Ag insider logo xs@2x
drrsutliff
858 posts
 

I have always tried to download the ASIO driver that manufacturers offer for Windows.  The original VEGA (and subsequent versions) has a downloadable AISO driver that you can find by digging around their site The original one was for older Windows versions such as “VISTA and Windows 8”. There is possibly  a newer option available.  I was informed I should avoid the WASPI drivers to remove as much interaction with the Windows operating system as possible.  

incoming OP
17 posts
 

Thanks @drrsutliff 

I need to find out more about the ASIO driver. I have the latest Vega driver, and indeed needed it to get the dac working. Maybe there is additional configuration to bypass the windows sample rate?

 

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