Windows Sound Basics - ASIO WASAPI etc

The best results happen, ime, when a DAC manufacturer offered a dedicated ASIO driver (for Windows based PCs) with their DAC...

For Linux, there are a few tweaks around..but, nothing too conclusive about what's the best thing to do/sounds the best.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This was posted by Brian from Roon on their site 2 years ago:

”ASIO and WASAPI are different interfaces that applications can use to play sound on Windows. WASAPI is Microsoft’s current native interface for audio playback, and ASIO is a 3rd party alternative built to suit the pro audio market decades ago.

Your main goal should be to bypass the "software mixer" built into the operating system. This mixer is what allows you to hear Windows noises mixed with notification sounds, mixed with Youtube at the same time. This is convenient, and appropriate for most software, but it modifies the audio content along the way in a manner that is optimized for performance/battery life over sound quality. Not ideal for focused music listening.

ASIO always bypasses the software mixer. WASAPI bypasses it only if you choose to do so. If you want to bypass the software mixer with WASAPI, you use something called "Exclusive Mode", which means that your app takes exclusive control over the audio hardware while it’s playing, thus boxing out other apps and the software mixer. If you are having a focused listening session with an external DAC, I would recommend using either ASIO or WASAPI Exclusive mode to ensure that the communication between software and DAC is as clean as possible.”

Though no the identical situation I do use Roon and when I installed the Gryphon drivers it gave me the option to choose which one I would employ.  I chose ASIO and have not had any desire to revels it that choice.  

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?

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.  

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

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.