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
incoming OP
17 posts
 

Thanks @drrsutliff . The Gryphon drivers were for your DAC? 

This would make sense to me technically. I am not aware of any configuration available in the Vega driver, but worth a deeper dive on that.

Ag insider logo xs@2x
drrsutliff
858 posts
 

Yes the driver were required for my Gryphon DAC module to properly communicate with the Windows operating system. No driver required for Apple.  That downloadable software from Gryphon had the ASIO driver included.

incoming OP
17 posts
 

Well, some progress at least, the 'Exclusive Mode'is indeed in the Tidal App, just not from the settings menu.

Bottom right is a sound output icon and against the 'Speakers' with DAC name is 'More Settings'.

Will still look to a more system wide solution but this is a good option.

sns
3,203 posts
 

For those of us using extreme custom build Windows/ATX based streamers Euphony OS is a must. Euphony OS optimizes these relatively complex motherboards specifically for audio use. Audiophilestyle forum is place to go for info on using Windows based computers as streamers.

milpai's avatar
milpai
2,377 posts
 

I like to use ASIO drivers when possible. And you can build your own FANLESS audio server with the components YOU choose. I have a separate system build in my system page, to share my experience with forum members.

And I love the way the system makes music. Have not used the silver discs in my Oppo since July 2020. Also love to stream Spotify through the server. Next upgrade is a dedicated DAC and may sell the Oppo. But ASIO never disappointed.

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