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HagUSB vs Other USB Interfaces/Devices

Hi all. I have three quick questions regarding the HagUSB:
1. how does it compare to other USB interfaces, in particular those with true ASIO support (Edirol, M-Audio etc.)
2. does it provide bit perfect output (i.e. does ASIO4ALL provide bit-perfect output even though it still uses the OS)?
3. I currently have an Edirol UA-1EX which I used as both an interface and DAC (used it analog outs). I now got myself a DAC which has both optical and coax input. The Edirol is going to another PC so I want to get either one of those interfaces like the M-Audio Audiophile USB, but have read that the HagUSB is superior (even though it does not use true ASIO and only supports 16-bit). Is it a good "upgrade" to the UA-1EX?

Cheers,
X
xenithon
xenithon OP
130 posts
 
Audioengr - true indeed. It must have an ASIO-supporting driver. Many (read most) use generic drivers meaning that, even with programs like ASIO4ALL or ASIO2KS - the windows kernel / audio stack are involved. True ASIO drivers are specific to the DAC/underlying hardware and thus allow the program to chat directly, bypassing any OS involvement.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Herman - Yes, even my USB DAC and converters will be detected by Windows and it will try to load the native Windows driver, but I recommend against this. The Windows driver is a bad sounding driver. Better to use the custom driver provided for that hardware (as for my Off-Ramps), use the drivers from http://www.usb-audio.com/ or at least use ASIO4ALL if the existing driver will not support ASIO.

The driver is the most important software part of getting a world-class sound, followed by ASIO and upsampler.
xenithon OP
130 posts
 
I wreckon I'll try get another interface for the other PC and keep the Edirol on this one. It has great ASIO drivers - easy to use and very stable. At a later stage I may look into upgrading it but will try make sure it has ASIO drivers.
gmood1
1,251 posts
 
I'm trying this USB-Audio driver out. It does sound better than the freeware versions(ASIO4all.etc) without a doubt.

Problem is it only works with Foobar. All my other devices are muted like Winamp. I like the internet radio and video features of Winamp. I can't seem to use any of them.

Anyone know how I can get this driver to work with Winamp?

Any help is much appreciated
cwlondon
1,198 posts
 
Does this mean that even a next generation DAC which comes with a USB input will receive corrupted data unless one also tinkers with the Windows operating system and drivers?
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