2. pc-audio
  3. 1168589271

Help with PC Audio Quality vs. CD

I hope someone with real experience can help out with this. I am having a hard time getting the same quality sound from a PC that I get from a CD player. I recently built a HTPC running Windows MCE and ripped all my cd's using lossless compression. I'm using an M-Aduio Audiophile 192 sound card and run a coax digital out of the PC to an external DAC and to my amps. It just sounds flat to me, not that it's not clear sounding, but the bass is weaker, I can hear a harshness that's not there if I run any old CD player to the DAC through the same connection. Has anyone else experienced this? I keep reading in this forum that people are saying how much better the computer transport is in theory, but I have yet to witness it. I heard that the Windows KMixer is the problem. I tried ASIO and Kernal Streaming drivers that are supposed to bypass this, and it sounds clearer, but still not as 3-dimentional and "black background" as a CD player (and I mean ANY cheap CD player, I've tried 3!)

Can someone out there with an external DAC try this and let me know their results? Use a DVD player or anything with a digital out... I don't get it. My soundcard alone cost 3 times as much as the cheap DVD player I tried and it doesn't sound as good. Anyone experience this or have any suggestions?

Here's my system so you can understand the sound I'm looking for.

I have an external MSB Link DAC III Full Nelson that I've been using for years and I really like the sound of it. I've been using a couple Sony CD changers and running them to a MSB Digital Director that will automatically switch between digital inputs, out to the DAC, then to a tube pre and tube power amp (modded dynaco ST70) and out to a pair of Monitor Audio GR10's. This system (with the right tubes) sounds so sweet to me. I'm into the huge soundstage, crisp, smooth sound - melty mid-range... you know, the analog tube sound!

I have experience in recording studios and work professionally in computers, so I have a good understanding of both, so don't be afraid to get technical with me. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Ben
thesauce
gmood1
1,251 posts
 
I've been listening basically all day to this setup. Reconfiguring the Foobar and ASIO4all many times. I think now the unit sounds fantastic even without the battery pack. Adjusting the buffer to 128 without latency and using the ASIO4all as the primary output in the foobar menu sounds best too me. I set the SRC to 48khz upsampling.

I have no idea what the jitter level is in this UD-10. The website claims +/-10 ppm.I know it's bettter than my Superclock 3 player/transport by a mile.So it must be extremely low from what I'm hearing now. Going back through well known recordings. It makes the soundstage so well defined...like I've never heard before. It does this without glare or hardness.....No edginess either. It is though the lid was taken off. The notes just flow like I've never experienced! I urge anyone not on the PC train..try one of these units out if you already have a non USB DAC. It takes patience and time to find the right settings,but once you find them...Oh my GAWD!!

This is another one of those little Gems that's a true value best buy!
thesauce OP
21 posts
 
Gmood1 - Thanks for sharing! I'm going to order me one. Did you buy from eBay or Audiogon? I haven't got a response from the seller on Audiogon yet...

-Ben
thesauce OP
21 posts
 
Artizen65 - Thanks for the info. That sounds like a very practical solution. I think I'm going to try the Trends and see how that goes. I'm also going to try it through Vista and let you know if it's worth the upgrade. Take Care,

Ben
gmood1
1,251 posts
 
Ben I bought my unit from Buyoyo.com. The guy on agon is based in Canada. These units ship directly from Hong Kong. If their in stock and you go courier shipping. You'll have one within a few days. The UD-10 units are selling faster than the manufacture can produce them. Their always out of stock. I waited a month for mine..hopefully it will be faster for you.

I'm trying to find a 5 volt AC/DC 1.5 amp power supply converter so I can plug this unit into the wall. Not having much luck! I assume the sound would be about the same as using the batteries.
pardales
652 posts
 
I ordered the UD-10 from the dealer on Audiogon last week. I will report my findings after I receive it.

If I am using a MAC with the OS X and iTunes 7 - then do I have all those different settings (sample rates, buffer setting, etc.) some of you PC'rs are talking about through ASIO and Foobar? Would someone else who uses a MAC chime in on this?

I am aware of the Audio MIDI control panel which might have some relevance to this but have not messed with it or seemed to need to.
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