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Post by bobbyt on Dec 14, 2010 22:13:38 GMT -5
As I understand it you can have foober2000 display the bitrate as it plays, but I haven't found where the option is.
Can anyone let us know? That would end the discussion pretty quickly.
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Post by malibujeff on Dec 14, 2010 22:28:27 GMT -5
We have a handfull of current owners who verified that they are running the XDA with 24/96 and 24/192 music without incident. V How did they verify this? How did they verify the PC is outputting 24/192 via the USB? How did they verify the XDA-1 in not down sampling? |
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tomrc
Sensei
Please don't dominate the rap Jack, if you've got nuthin new to say. GD
Posts: 151
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Post by tomrc on Dec 14, 2010 22:45:26 GMT -5
I'm sort of confused (my normal state), what would be the reason to choose USB over optical s/pdif? is it convenience? better sound quality if all things are equal? less processing? just wondering as I'm thinking about getting an XDA-1 for downloaded HD audio and was planning on just using the optical s/pdif.
Thanks,
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tomrc
Sensei
Please don't dominate the rap Jack, if you've got nuthin new to say. GD
Posts: 151
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Post by tomrc on Dec 14, 2010 23:21:23 GMT -5
Thanks Steve, that answered my questions.
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Post by roadrunner on Dec 15, 2010 3:22:05 GMT -5
We have a handfull of current owners who verified that they are running the XDA with 24/96 and 24/192 music without incident. V How did they verify this? How did they verify the PC is outputting 24/192 via the USB? How did they verify the XDA-1 in not down sampling? They verified it by running the USB output from their PC to the UMC-1 which displayed that the incoming signal was indeed 24/192. There is no need to verify whether the XDA-1 is down sampling because it can not change the sampling rate of the signal it receives. It simply processes the signal as it is sent. If you send a 16/48 signal that is what it outputs; and if you send a 24/96 signal that is what it outputs. After verifying with the UMC the cables were moved to the XDA and played the music tracks beautifully. Just read some of the XDA threads and you will see where they simply hooked the XDA-1 to the USB port of the PC, which has Internet access, and the driver was downloaded automaticfally... just as Eric said it would. |
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kazoo
Emo VIPs 
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Post by kazoo on Dec 15, 2010 9:09:11 GMT -5
I messed with this yesterday a little trying to get ASIO drivers installed to Foobar2000. One thing I did notice is when I went into the properties and output tab to find the AISO driver I seen a tag for the Emotiva XDA-1 as the output device. So my computer recognized it, so I picked it. I also had a short version of a 96k file and it played fine. This is on a HP laptop running Windows Vista. Has anyone else had their computer see the XDA-1 by name?
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Post by jlafrenz on Dec 15, 2010 9:58:00 GMT -5
I messed with this yesterday a little trying to get ASIO drivers installed to Foobar2000. One thing I did notice is when I went into the properties and output tab to find the AISO driver I seen a tag for the Emotiva XDA-1 as the output device. So my computer recognized it, so I picked it. I also had a short version of a 96k file and it played fine. This is on a HP laptop running Windows Vista. Has anyone else had their computer see the XDA-1 by name? Yes, my PC's have recognized the unit as XDA-1 in the loading of the driver, in foobar2000 and ASIO. |
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Post by rixtergonzo on Dec 15, 2010 10:11:24 GMT -5
They verified it by running the USB output from their PC to the UMC-1 which displayed that the incoming signal was indeed 24/192. There is no need to verify whether the XDA-1 is down sampling because it can not change the sampling rate of the signal it receives. It simply processes the signal as it is sent. If you send a 16/48 signal that is what it outputs; and if you send a 24/96 signal that is what it outputs. After verifying with the UMC the cables were moved to the XDA and played the music tracks beautifully. Just read some of the XDA threads and you will see where they simply hooked the XDA-1 to the USB port of the PC, which has Internet access, and the driver was downloaded automaticfally... just as Eric said it would. According to the UMC-1 manual, the USB Data port does not accept USB audio, but "allows for firmware updates only." Therefore it would seem the only way someone would get a digital audio input into the UMC-1 would be via S/PDIF, AES/EBU or HDMI, and the XDA-1 does support 24/192 through S/PDIF and AES/EBU. The USB driver that my Internet-connected Windows 7 computer automatically downloaded upon connection to the XDA-1 will only allow the selection of 16/44.1 or 16/48. If higher resolution files are played with a software player that cannot run in exclusive mode and cannot use an ASIO or WASAPI driver (iTunes, Media Player, Media Center), those files will play, but are downsampled by the Windows mixer. If higher resolution files are played with software players that can run in exclusive mode and can use an ASIO or WASAPI driver (J. River Media Center, Media Monkey, foobar2000), they will output a bit perfect stream bypassing the Windows mixer and will not play and return an error that the resolution is not supported. These are the results of my actual tests, and I am not quoting heresay from other people. If Emotiva or anyone else would like to provide a software driver that can allow higher resolutions, I would be more than happy to try it. Steve srb - Steve, you have it right on! Those are my exact results. Every thing else is smoke and mirrors until there is concrete proof otherwise! Rick. |
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Post by malibujeff on Dec 15, 2010 10:49:38 GMT -5
They verified it by running the USB output from their PC to the UMC-1 which displayed that the incoming signal was indeed 24/192. There is no need to verify whether the XDA-1 is down sampling because it can not change the sampling rate of the signal it receives. It simply processes the signal as it is sent. If you send a 16/48 signal that is what it outputs; and if you send a 24/96 signal that is what it outputs. After verifying with the UMC the cables were moved to the XDA and played the music tracks beautifully. Just read some of the XDA threads and you will see where they simply hooked the XDA-1 to the USB port of the PC, which has Internet access, and the driver was downloaded automaticfally... just as Eric said it would. According to the UMC-1 manual, the USB Data port does not accept USB audio, but "allows for firmware updates only." Therefore it would seem the only way someone would get a digital audio input into the UMC-1 would be via S/PDIF, AES/EBU or HDMI, and the XDA-1 does support 24/192 through S/PDIF and AES/EBU. The USB driver that my Internet-connected Windows 7 computer automatically downloaded upon connection to the XDA-1 will only allow the selection of 16/44.1 or 16/48. If higher resolution files are played with a software player that cannot run in exclusive mode and cannot use an ASIO or WASAPI driver (iTunes, Media Player, Media Center), those files will play, but are downsampled by the Windows mixer. If higher resolution files are played with software players that can run in exclusive mode and can use an ASIO or WASAPI driver (J. River Media Center, Media Monkey, foobar2000), they will output a bit perfect stream bypassing the Windows mixer and will not play and return an error that the resolution is not supported. These are the results of my actual tests, and I am not quoting heresay from other people. If Emotiva or anyone else would like to provide a software driver that can allow higher resolutions, I would be more than happy to try it. Steve Thank you Steve. You said exactly what I have been trying to say, just not as well as you did. It seems that some people believe that all inputs (USB,S/PDIF, Toslink, AES/EBU) are all created equal and they are not. The DAC chip may be able to support 24/192, but that does not necessarily meant the USB will. |
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Post by rogerwilco on Dec 15, 2010 11:43:29 GMT -5
They verified it by running the USB output from their PC to the UMC-1 which displayed that the incoming signal was indeed 24/192. There is no need to verify whether the XDA-1 is down sampling because it can not change the sampling rate of the signal it receives. It simply processes the signal as it is sent. If you send a 16/48 signal that is what it outputs; and if you send a 24/96 signal that is what it outputs. After verifying with the UMC the cables were moved to the XDA and played the music tracks beautifully. Just read some of the XDA threads and you will see where they simply hooked the XDA-1 to the USB port of the PC, which has Internet access, and the driver was downloaded automaticfally... just as Eric said it would. According to the UMC-1 manual, the USB Data port does not accept USB audio, but "allows for firmware updates only." Therefore it would seem the only way someone would get a digital audio input into the UMC-1 would be via S/PDIF, AES/EBU or HDMI, and the XDA-1 does support 24/192 through S/PDIF and AES/EBU. The USB driver that my Internet-connected Windows 7 computer automatically downloaded upon connection to the XDA-1 will only allow the selection of 16/44.1 or 16/48. If higher resolution files are played with a software player that cannot run in exclusive mode and cannot use an ASIO or WASAPI driver (iTunes, Media Player, Media Center), those files will play, but are downsampled by the Windows mixer. If higher resolution files are played with software players that can run in exclusive mode and can use an ASIO or WASAPI driver (J. River Media Center, Media Monkey, foobar2000), they will output a bit perfect stream bypassing the Windows mixer and will not play and return an error that the resolution is not supported. These are the results of my actual tests, and I am not quoting heresay from other people. If Emotiva or anyone else would like to provide a software driver that can allow higher resolutions, I would be more than happy to try it. Steve Exactly my findings as well. I have tries several aftermarket USB drivers to no avail. |
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Post by roadrunner on Dec 15, 2010 13:48:55 GMT -5
Steve and others, I just got back on the Lounge a few minutes ago and read your responses. I must apologize for not properly explaining what the owners said they had done. I can only say it was in the wee hours and I had not had any sleep since last Friday.  What I meant to post was that they said that the verified the XPA handled 24/96 and 24/192 by playing hi-res music files from their PC using digital connection to the UMC-1 to ensure the music files were indeed being passed at the hi-res. Then (contrary to my earlier post) they hooked up the USB connections and using JRivers, Foobar and Media Monkey they were able to play those "verified" hi-res files. Their posts mentioned that they setup the application software in exclusive mode. I am trying to remember, but my mind is a little foggy right now from my pain meds, they said something about setting the apps not to up-sample or down-sample the music files. I have not yet installed my XDA-1 as it is a Christmas Gift and I cannot open it until then. The reason I believe the XDA-1 will perform at hi-res via USB is because Lonnie, Eric, and several Lounge Members have all reported they have successfully done so. I asked for driver name, but thus far have not had any response beyond "whatever Windows automatically installed". I don't know if that means the necessary driver was part of the JRivers, Foobar, etc install set or if their PCs went to the Internet to find the needed driver. Hopefully, Lonnie or Eric will chime in and clarify this quandary. I will not likely even use the USB port on the XDA-1 in my HT system, but I will probably fiddle around with it just to see how well it works. In the past I have always had better sonic performance using digital connections. Out of curiosity, is there some reason so many people are focusing on the USB ports? Is there supposed to be an advantage to using USB versus the digital connections? Again, I apologize for doing such a poor job explaining what the "verifying" process by XDA-1 owners had posted was. After looking at the PDF manual, I was disappointed to find that it made no mention of this topic. It is easy to see why there is so much confusion. |
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Post by monkumonku on Dec 15, 2010 16:18:36 GMT -5
I have a question, and forgive me if this has been answered somewhere already but there's too many posts/pages to wade through!
Is the signal through a USB cable degraded as the length increases? Let's say I wanted to run one from my main computer to the XDA-1 (since Sonos boxes do are not wired to handle real high resolution files such as 96/24, etc). If I run something like the 33 foot cable that Monoprice sells, will that pose a problem (besides tripping over the wire)?
Here is what their product description page says:
USB 2.0 A Male to B male Active printer Cable is a bus-powered extension cable that can be used to increase the length of a device without any signal loss or potential performance problems. It contains active electronics which boost the USB signal for maximum reliability and performance over extended distances. It connects your PC to any USB device with Type B female port up to 10m(33ft), such as scanners, printers, digital camera and other USB peripherals.
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Post by xyz1 on Dec 15, 2010 16:24:06 GMT -5
Isn't sampling rate dependent on not only the usb driver, but the sound card too? In my case I currently own a Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty 24-bit 96KHz. www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102019 I also own J. River Media Center. I am only able to output max 24-bit 96 kHz according to my sound settings, but according to the little Title box at the top of J River read out, it shows that it is only playing at 44.1 kHz. That is a Flac File by the way, maybe my settings are wrong? Just getting familiar with the J River program, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Anyway I just purchased the HT | OMEGA CLARO Plus+ 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Interface Sound Card www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829271003I am think this will allow me to play at that higher rate. My final question is, is there really an audible difference between 96 kHz & 192 kHz? A little late with this question since I already purchased this, but what the heck ;D |
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Post by xyz1 on Dec 15, 2010 16:30:03 GMT -5
I have a question, and forgive me if this has been answered somewhere already but there's too many posts/pages to wade through! Is the signal through a USB cable degraded as the length increases? Let's say I wanted to run one from my main computer to the XDA-1 (since Sonos boxes do are not wired to handle real high resolution files such as 96/24, etc). If I run something like the 33 foot cable that Monoprice sells, will that pose a problem (besides tripping over the wire)? Here is what their product description page says: USB 2.0 A Male to B male Active printer Cable is a bus-powered extension cable that can be used to increase the length of a device without any signal loss or potential performance problems. It contains active electronics which boost the USB signal for maximum reliability and performance over extended distances. It connects your PC to any USB device with Type B female port up to 10m(33ft), such as scanners, printers, digital camera and other USB peripherals.Not as long as it is a cryogenically frozen usb cable. Rubbing grease or oil on the cable is said to smooth out and increase the speed of the signal, especially audio signals. ;D |
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Post by monkumonku on Dec 15, 2010 16:35:39 GMT -5
Isn't sampling rate dependent on not only the usb driver, but the sound card too? In my case I currently own a Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty 24-bit 96KHz. www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102019 I also own J. River Media Center. I am only able to output max 24-bit 96 kHz according to my sound settings, but according to the little Title box at the top of J River read out, it shows that it is only playing at 44.1 kHz. That is a Flac File by the way, maybe my settings are wrong? Just getting familiar with the J River program, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Anyway I just purchased the HT | OMEGA CLARO Plus+ 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Interface Sound Card www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829271003I am think this will allow me to play at that higher rate. My final question is, is there really an audible difference between 96 kHz & 192 kHz? A little late with this question since I already purchased this, but what the heck ;D Wow you got a free mouse, too. ;D I read somewhere that people can't discern the difference between 96 kHz and 192 kHz but there's probably a lot of disagreement on that. I was wondering the same thing you were about the sound cards. My question might be stupid but I'll ask anyway - if you are trying to connect to the XDA-1 via USB cable, does it make a difference what kind of sound card you are using? Or would the XDA-1 essentially be the "sound card?" |
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Post by monkumonku on Dec 15, 2010 16:37:24 GMT -5
I have a question, and forgive me if this has been answered somewhere already but there's too many posts/pages to wade through! Is the signal through a USB cable degraded as the length increases? Let's say I wanted to run one from my main computer to the XDA-1 (since Sonos boxes do are not wired to handle real high resolution files such as 96/24, etc). If I run something like the 33 foot cable that Monoprice sells, will that pose a problem (besides tripping over the wire)? Here is what their product description page says: USB 2.0 A Male to B male Active printer Cable is a bus-powered extension cable that can be used to increase the length of a device without any signal loss or potential performance problems. It contains active electronics which boost the USB signal for maximum reliability and performance over extended distances. It connects your PC to any USB device with Type B female port up to 10m(33ft), such as scanners, printers, digital camera and other USB peripherals.Not as long as it is a cryogenically frozen usb cable. Rubbing grease or oil on the cable is said to smooth out and increase the speed of the signal, especially audio signals. ;D you forgot to mention use of cable lifters. I am sure that applies to USB cables just as much as speaker wire and audio interconnects.  |
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Post by rogerwilco on Dec 15, 2010 16:48:25 GMT -5
My question might be stupid but I'll ask anyway - if you are trying to connect to the XDA-1 via USB cable, does it make a difference what kind of sound card you are using? Or would the XDA-1 essentially be the "sound card?" You wouldn't need a soundcard. |
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Post by xyz1 on Dec 15, 2010 16:48:41 GMT -5
Isn't sampling rate dependent on not only the usb driver, but the sound card too? In my case I currently own a Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty 24-bit 96KHz. www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102019 I also own J. River Media Center. I am only able to output max 24-bit 96 kHz according to my sound settings, but according to the little Title box at the top of J River read out, it shows that it is only playing at 44.1 kHz. That is a Flac File by the way, maybe my settings are wrong? Just getting familiar with the J River program, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Anyway I just purchased the HT | OMEGA CLARO Plus+ 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Interface Sound Card www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829271003I am think this will allow me to play at that higher rate. My final question is, is there really an audible difference between 96 kHz & 192 kHz? A little late with this question since I already purchased this, but what the heck ;D Wow you got a free mouse, too. ;D I read somewhere that people can't discern the difference between 96 kHz and 192 kHz but there's probably a lot of disagreement on that. I was wondering the same thing you were about the sound cards. My question might be stupid but I'll ask anyway - if you are trying to connect to the XDA-1 via USB cable, does it make a difference what kind of sound card you are using? Or would the XDA-1 essentially be the "sound card?" Well that’s what did it for me was the free mouse. I don’t even need a mouse. I bet Emotiva would triple they’re sales by including a free mouse, but what do I know? |
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Post by monkumonku on Dec 15, 2010 16:52:14 GMT -5
Wow you got a free mouse, too. ;D I read somewhere that people can't discern the difference between 96 kHz and 192 kHz but there's probably a lot of disagreement on that. I was wondering the same thing you were about the sound cards. My question might be stupid but I'll ask anyway - if you are trying to connect to the XDA-1 via USB cable, does it make a difference what kind of sound card you are using? Or would the XDA-1 essentially be the "sound card?" Well that’s what did it for me was the free mouse. I don’t even need a mouse. I bet Emotive would triple they’re sales by including a free mouse, but what do I know? A mouse that had a blue glow. ;D That would then create the opportunity for me to market expensive replacement mouse cables that would improve the flow of the instructions being sent to the computer (cable would be directional, of course). I could also offer an upgraded mousepad.. the possibilities are endless! |
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Post by rixtergonzo on Dec 15, 2010 17:03:25 GMT -5
I guess since there seems to be lost hope in getting past 16bit/48kHz on USB might as well hi-jack the thread.
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