I need a DAC for my PC

[HHH03]

My motherboard is a very high performance piece of hardware. But unfortunately, they ruined the Audio by using Realtek ALC 4082 and some extra ESS chips. The ASUS impedance sensing is broken… so much so I had to create a .bat file to reset the driver after each headphone usage. Also, all the extra ESS chips are for headphones only, so the Realtek chip is my DAC for speakers.
I’ve tried a SMSL D1, but it was choppy with the windows start up sound. I did all the settings to avoid these issues, but didn’t help it. I believe the XMOS driver is the cause, but I’m not 100% sure.
Suggestions are welcome… but it does seem the Schiit Modi 5 might a decent choice because it doesn’t need a driver to function.

 

[Chrispy]

Following as it makes no sense so far particularly. WTF does choppy mean?

 

[HHH03]

Following as it makes no sense so far particularly. WTF does choppy mean?

Choppy? It’s when instead of having one smooth sound, it’s microsecond dropouts making the output sound as if it’s chopped up and put back together with a few pieces gone in between. Call it stutter if you prefer.

 

[Chrispy]

Choppy? It’s when instead of having one smooth sound, it’s microsecond dropouts making the output sound as if it’s chopped up and put back together with a few pieces gone in between. Call it stutter if you prefer.

Sounds more like an active imagination than anything else so far. Do better.

 

[kemmler3D]

Sounds more like an active imagination than anything else so far. Do better.

Hmm, kind of a rude reply for a problem I think most Windows users could recall experiencing at one time or another. Maybe you are seizing on "microscend dropouts" but I assume they don't mean literally microseconds as that's obviously too short to hear.

Anyway,

@HHH03 Are you using high sample rates (>96Khz) by any chance? Alternatively, have you tried alternative drivers (e.g. ASIO4All) to see if it fixes things? Also, do you hear the choppy sound at any other time vs. startup? Sometimes you can get dropouts under heavy system load which I guess could occur on startup. But if it's not happening at other times I would personally be tempted to ignore it.

 

[HHH03]

Sounds more like an active imagination than anything else so far. Do better.

Well obviously you’re not interested in being helpful and more interested in being insulting. You can do much better too by not responding if you have nothing constructive to add.

 

[HHH03]

Hmm, kind of a rude reply for a problem I think most Windows users could recall experiencing at one time or another. Maybe you are seizing on "microscend dropouts" but I assume they don't mean literally microseconds as that's obviously too short to hear.

Anyway,

@HHH03 Are you using high sample rates (>96Khz) by any chance? Alternatively, have you tried alternative drivers (e.g. ASIO4All) to see if it fixes things? Also, do you hear the choppy sound at any other time vs. startup? Sometimes you can get dropouts under heavy system load which I guess could occur on startup. But if it's not happening at other times I would personally be tempted to ignore it.

I don’t have the DAC anymore, I was using high sample and bit rates. I noticed it too sometimes listening to music. That’s why I’m considering something that doesn’t need a separate driver. USB audio can work well as long as there’s not too much processing involved.

 

[TonyJZX]

do you have more than one dac to test?

i get where you are coming from.. i run largely ex workstations like HP Z440s and they have known USB problems...

i find it has difficulties with some manufacturers but with the STOCK drivers you should be OK with SMSL but they also do have their own drivers on Win10 or better

 

[Chrispy]

Well obviously you’re not interested in being helpful and more interested in being insulting. You can do much better too by not responding if you have nothing constructive to add.

I would love to be helpful if you had a valid situation for comment. You have nothing constructive in the first place as far as I can see.

 

[Chrispy]

Hmm, kind of a rude reply for a problem I think most Windows users could recall experiencing at one time or another. Maybe you are seizing on "microscend dropouts" but I assume they don't mean literally microseconds as that's obviously too short to hear.

Anyway,

@HHH03 Are you using high sample rates (>96Khz) by any chance? Alternatively, have you tried alternative drivers (e.g. ASIO4All) to see if it fixes things? Also, do you hear the choppy sound at any other time vs. startup? Sometimes you can get dropouts under heavy system load which I guess could occur on startup. But if it's not happening at other times I would personally be tempted to ignore it.

No, it's just a crude question more than anything, not my response.

 

[john61ct]

User not able to "properly" describe their problem to your satisfaction?

Either be helpful or just move on...

 

[john61ct]

Yes Schiit makes great USB inputs.

a $99 test is Eitr 2, then go S/PDIF into the actual DAC.

Check out also Forkbeard add-on, $50 buys several pre-amp features remote controlled from their app, privacy focus.

15-day No Questions Asked return policy, out a 15% restocking charge and shipping cost though

can return products within 15 days of receipt for a refund, minus a 5% to 15% restocking fee

 

[staticV3]

I’ve tried a SMSL D1, but it was choppy with the windows start up sound. I did all the settings to avoid these issues, but didn’t help it. I believe the XMOS driver is the cause, but I’m not 100% sure.

Do you mean how the DAC cut off the first half second of audio?

If so, very common issue with XMOS USB bridges.

On Windows, it can be solved by installing the XMOS driver, then in the control panel set Streaming to Always On.

Might need to apply this workaround to expose the Streaming submenu:

XMOS driver settings for no cutoff/delay

I was contemplating on creating a "tutorial" of sorts for all XMOS drivers on devices that have a cutoff -- latency between the start of a sound and the dac "reacting" and actually playing said sound... So here it is: XMOS drivers use a control panel not unlike this: Usually the "Options"...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[respice finem]

The first thing I did in every Windows install, was to turn off Windows sounds.

 

[HHH03]

do you have more than one dac to test?

i get where you are coming from.. i run largely ex workstations like HP Z440s and they have known USB problems...

i find it has difficulties with some manufacturers but with the STOCK drivers you should be OK with SMSL but they also do have their own drivers on Win10 or better

I’m researching for a solution that will provide a stable sound under all conditions. The motherboard audio I have has bad driver issues… perhaps even firmware problems. There won’t be a way to make it function correctly. The only solution is an external DAC. I tried the SMSL D1 and I experienced some issues during boot and even play back. That’s why I’m considering the Schiit Modi 5 as it actually uses a Unison 384 with UAC2 compliance which should work with Windows 11 natively.
But I don’t have one to try and I rather ask others first vs just buy and try.

 

[HHH03]

Do you mean how the DAC cut off the first half second of audio?

If so, very common issue with XMOS USB bridges.

On Windows, it can be solved by installing the XMOS driver, then in the control panel set Streaming to Always On.

Might need to apply this workaround to expose the Streaming submenu:

XMOS driver settings for no cutoff/delay

I was contemplating on creating a "tutorial" of sorts for all XMOS drivers on devices that have a cutoff -- latency between the start of a sound and the dac "reacting" and actually playing said sound... So here it is: XMOS drivers use a control panel not unlike this: Usually the "Options"...

www.audiosciencereview.com

My understanding is XMOS is natively supported in Apple devices. But Windows needs a driver. I believe the issue lies with the driver not loading completely before sound is played causing the audio hiccups.

 

[kemmler3D]

I was using high sample and bit rates.

Crackling in conjunction with high sample / bitrates suggests underruns, especially if it's happening at startup, i.e. under load. You could try ASIO4All with higher buffer sizes to avoid this, or just use lower sampling rates, higher ones (like 192+) don't improve sound quality but can cause problems like this.

 

[john61ct]

Wow I didn't realize how CHEAP Modi 5 is!!

Better Unison than Eitr 2, do the latter only to go into another DAC.

only downside is no Forkbeard available

Mimir would be a big step up but 2x the price at $300.

All Schiit same NQA return window...

 

[jspinks321]

I have no idea bra. I know pro tools ad like Ableton still. about it and that s dated and sounded alot like the Akalot training software probaly...sound like the LP and defineatly nottt the strats sorta pre-arranged sound with the pre-wired pickguard DPT sound. it sounds like froze of the pre dpt..idk still strange its aliens and marijuana still.
Now they say any kinda DAW/DAC like the scarlets no good then back at the 94' ART build and it is some 300-400 dollar stuff then. Closer to the ART and no real oversized caps.

 

[HHH03]

Wow I didn't realize how CHEAP Modi 5 is!!

Better Unison than Eitr 2, do the latter only to go into another DAC.

only downside is no Forkbeard available

Mimir would be a big step up but 2x the price at $300.

All Schiit same NQA return window...

You can buy the Modi 5 from Amazon and have a 30 day vs 15 day return window… with real easy drop off return shipping. That’s always an advantage.