Hi guys,
just to clarify something that's in my mind: asio/wasapi/wasapi exclusive mode/kernel streaming are all the same thing in terms of it's overall function, correct? one should NOT be hearing any quality differences between them. all of these output methods are essentially "streaming", correct? they are all bit-perfect reproduction.
i read on one of the "audio" jriver pages that one should just leave the output settings on the highest sample rate that a DAC can reproduce such as 24-bit, as there is no need to change it for each source, as a 16-bit source being upsampled to 24-bit won't degrade sound quality.
here is the quote from the page:
"Output Bitdepth
It is recommended to output to your soundcard or DAC using the highest bitdepth that the hardware supports. This is 24bit for most high-end DACs.
If you play 16bit input, you might feel inclined to output 16bit data even though your DAC is 24bit. This will at best sound the same as outputting 24bit. But it has two important drawbacks:
Transitioning between 16-bit and 24-bit source material will require reopening the audio hardware (so make gapless transitions impossible)
If you apply any digital processing, including volume, the sound quality will be worse"
SURELY though, if one is feeding an external DAC (in my case, headroom's ultra desktop amplifier) a signal/source, that signal/source SHOULD be UNTOUCHED completely for the DAC? i use an S/PDIF optical output from my laptop (dell xps 15) to the ultra desktop, so say for instance, i am playing a song which is 16/44.1... then i should feed my optical cable 16/44.1, NOT 24/44.1 or 24/48, right? since ANY CHANGES to the source before it reaches my external DAC means it is not bit-perfect anymore.
[additional information: the soundcard in my laptop is "realtek high definition audio", however when i went to 'control panel/programs, i saw "advanced audio FX engine" listed on there as well... & the publisher is "creative technology".]
after reading this:
"Notes
The only way to prevent a Creative Labs X-Fi based card or Asus Xonar card from resampling all incoming audio is to use ASIO and the driver that came with the card. With these cards, WASAPI exclusive will not change the master clock of the card."
i am now a bit worried... is my source, unbeknownst to me, being altered? however when i play music using wasapi, the audio path tells me it is DIRECT.
will the audio path feature in jriver immediately notify a user when a signal is NOT bit-perfect, even if wasapi is used?
thanks for reading.
Raul