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[Moonshine]

Hello!

I have a collection of lossless APE files that I'm looking play with "bit perfect" digital output to my home theater.  Looks like a sound card or USB audio device with ASIO drivers is the ticket.  So I'm looking for some recommendations?

The device must have:

- ASIO drivers (obviously)
- SPDIF output (coax preferably but toslink OK)
- Be able to output DD and DTS streams also from my lossless files (not sure if all will?)
- Be reasonibly cheap (like say under 200$ ?)
- Work great with MC9

Any suggestions?  

THANKS!

[dragyn]

Is ASIO really the best? I'm having second thoughts..

[Matt]

If what you want is a bit-perfect stream to your amp, then ASIO is your best bet.  DirectSound and WaveOut have all those resampling issues.

With that said, the sound card would be one of the last things I would buy.  An extra hundred bucks towards your speakers, amp, phones, or hard drive space will probably give you more for your money.  

If you've got all that licked, then a good ASIO sound card may make sense.

[dragyn]

I would think the sound card would have a lot to do with sound quality between the computer and amp.

Reason being is I can not get APEs to sound the same as my CD deck. There is a difference. It's using ASIO right now. Speakers are the same. Wires are the same. Amp is the same. Processing unit between the computer/cd deck is the same.

So what would that be? The sound card? It's the only thing I can think of.

Audiophile 24/96 is what I'm using.

[dragyn]

Also say that the connection between the CD deck and Proc. unit is digital. From the sound card to the proc unit is analog. From the proc unit to the amps is analog.

It's either not enough voltage in the RCA cables from the sound card to the proc unit....or the RCA cables themselves. The RCA cables from the proc unit to the amps are the same type/length as from the soundcard to the proc unit.

Proc unit is my DVD player. Everything runs through that.

I'm asking because I was thinking of getting a different sound card too (High Quality).

[Matt]

I would think the sound card would have a lot to do with sound quality between the computer and amp.

Reason being is I can not get APEs to sound the same as my CD deck. There is a difference. It's using ASIO right now. Speakers are the same. Wires are the same. Amp is the same. Processing unit between the computer/cd deck is the same.

So what would that be? The sound card? It's the only thing I can think of.

Audiophile 24/96 is what I'm using.

Does your CD deck output analog or digital?  It may do upsampling or oversampling or something.  Some CD decks even have DSP built in.

Are you running digital or analog out of the Audiophile?

How big is the difference?  With digital connections, I wouldn't expect any difference...

[dragyn]

I forgot about the oversampling. It most likely has it. DSP is off. I can't run a DSP/EQ through the digital conncetion. To me the CD deck sounds better. It has more highs. It's more lifelike I guess you would say.

[Moonshine]

If what you want is a bit-perfect stream to your amp, then ASIO is your best bet.  DirectSound and WaveOut have all those resampling issues.

With that said, the sound card would be one of the last things I would buy.  An extra hundred bucks towards your speakers, amp, phones, or hard drive space will probably give you more for your money.  

If you've got all that licked, then a good ASIO sound card may make sense.

Thanks! Yes, well the audio end of things for the home theater is complete.  I just need a good bit perfect digital stream to feed the Lexicon/Aragon/Canton/Velodyne/etc system.  So really I'm just looking for a good cheap way to get the bits out perfectly.  I was looking at the Audiotrak Optoplay, but can seem to find it for sale online in the US very easily.   Just looking for any output solutions that support ASIO digital output and seem to work will with MC9 and APE files with PCM, DD and DTS material.

I should make is clear also that I have not interest in cards with good analog output sections as I really only want to use a digital out to the Lexicon.  If they have a nice analog output section on top then great, but it won't get used

Anyone?

[Matt]

Dragyn,

Have you played with the upsampling in MC to see if you can get a similar effect?  It may give you the same thing.

Moonshine,

M-Audio makes some good cards.  RME (or something like that) also gets mentioned a lot.  The big thing you need is one that can run its frequency clock at different speeds so it won't have to resample.

Hopefully somebody else will have some good advice...

[dragyn]

I'll try it. I bet you're right.

As for a sound card. I too am looking for one that has ASIO and works well with MC9. It needs to do 5.1 sound.

[PhatPhreddy]

Comp USA has the M-Audio Revo (24/192 ASIO etc) for $65 after a 35 mail in rebate...

The Revo is not an RME or a LynxTWO thats certain but its probably the best fidelity under $250...

I mean $65... c'mon !!