Recommend me a good DAC for my Windows PC

[voodooless]

Windows PC connected with SPDIF to a NAD amplifier (Windows fixed sample rate/bitrate)

Better use ASIO or exclusive mode

'Ending the Windows Audio Quality Debate'

Jan 17, 2021

A debate has been long raging in the audio community that Windows isn't fit for use in a high resolution audio system. Sceptics counterargued that bits are bits and Windows audio degradations are a figment of an over-active audiophile imagination.

I decided to investigate this as I kept hearing issues with Windows, even after following common practice to (controversially) supposedly make it clean. I found some surprises along the way.

Sorry for the long post but my motivation is to share how to get effectively perfect audio from Windows, to save folks money and headaches, and to help...

• DDF
• apo audio upsampling caudiolimier digital filter intersample over pc audio remote windows windows 10
• Replies: 858
• Forum: Home Music Servers, Computers and Streamers

• 

 

[antcollinet]

Could be, i will let my son or my wife do a blind test for me then when i have the time. (I love to test stuff)

So these 2 devices would sound 100% the same with matching volume?

• Windows PC connected with SPDIF to a NAD amplifier (Windows fixed sample rate/bitrate)
• NAD amp with build-in streamer running on linux with no extra connection needed (matching sample rate/bitrate with every song)

If you keep everything else the same - ie the amp is the same, the DAC in the amp is used for both sources. You (somehow) manage to be certain neither the PC nor the built in streamer are doing any DSP.

Then yes - The digital signal into the DAC will be the same, and by definition - the output from the DAC must be identical.

 

[Mike_Trueman]

Still Spotify/Tidal sounds better on the build-in NAD streamer then when connected to the Windows PC Spotify/Tidal app with optical connection.
There is bit more extension of details in the music. I really prefer my long listening sessions on the NAD streamer because it sounds perfect for me.
I am always listening nearfield around 70dB. I can instant switch between the streamer and the optical connection windows PC.

So a DDC like the Denafrips Iris or the Gustard U18 will do nothing to improve the sound on a windows PC connected with USB?

 

[effj]

Still Spotify/Tidal sounds better on the build-in NAD streamer then when connected to the Windows PC Spotify/Tidal app with optical connection.
There is bit more extension of details in the music. I really prefer my long listening sessions on the NAD streamer because it sounds perfect for me.
I am always listening nearfield around 70dB. I can instant switch between the streamer and the optical connection windows PC.

So a DDC like the Denafrips Iris or the Gustard U18 will do nothing to improve the sound on a windows PC connected with USB?

View attachment 468802

Have you tried adjusting the quality settings in your Spotify and/or Tidal apps in Windows? I think most streaming apps adapt the audio quality by default based off available Internet bandwidth, and also let you pin the quality to higher bitrates so you know you’re not getting 128kbps MP3, for example.

 

[Mike_Trueman]

Sorry i was trolling with that picture. Everthing is on Very High.

 

[Mike_Trueman]

I still remote control Tidal and Spotify on my PC because it sounds better on the streamer then from PC optical to the amp.
So i am still searching for a good USB DDC with digital output that i can connect to my DAC.

I did see that some DDC's like the QULOOS QU02 can do 384Khz on the coaxial RCA output if i read their specs.
Is this false advertisement? Because i tought optical only goes up to 192kHz max.

View attachment 469718

QULOOS QU02 Digital Interface USB to SPDIF I2S Accusilicon AS338 Black - Audiophonics

The QU02 from Quloos is a high quality USB to SPDIF and I2S digital interface, incorporating only high-end components to provide the most transparent and faithful sound reproduction possible.

www.audiophonics.fr

This is my list of the most popular DDC's i like. (My max budget is around 600€)

• DENAFRIPS IRIS 12TH Digital Interface DDC Black 640€
• MUSICIAN PISCES II 634€
• SINGXER SU-6 600€
• MATRIX X-SPDIF 3 600€
• Audio-GD DI-25 560€
• GUSTARD U18 USB Digital Interface 470€
• QULOOS QU02 USB Interface 450€
• LOTOO PAW D3 450€
• SINGXER SU-2 400€
• L.K.S USB-100 USB Interface 250€
• Douk Audio U2 PRO 75€
• SMSL PO100 2024 45€

My mind is set on LOTOO PAW D3 DDC for 450€ but i can not find a seller in Belgium. It also looks nice on my desk with a good LCD screen.

PAW D3

m.lotoo.cn

 

[antcollinet]

Because i tought optical only goes up to 192kHz max.

You don't even need that, 96kHz is already overkill - carrying far more bandwidth than any human ear on the planet can detect.

Don't fall for the "More is better" when it comes to audio data rates. They are all a waste of bandwidth once you get past redbook.

You can get a simple USB to toslink converter for less than £50 and it will be as audibly perfect as anything else.

 

[voodooless]

carrying far more bandwidth than any human ear on the planet can detect.

You're telling me there are humans not on Earth that can do that?

 

[Mike_Trueman]

You don't even need that, 96kHz is already overkill - carrying far more bandwidth than any human ear on the planet can detect.

Don't fall for the "More is better" when it comes to audio data rates. They are all a waste of bandwidth once you get past redbook.

You can get a simple USB to toslink converter for less than £50 and it will be as audibly perfect as anything else.

I do not fall for it. If they all sound the same then i would buy the one with the nicest screen and look for my desk.

 

[voodooless]

I do not fall for it. If they all sound the same then i would buy the one with the nicest screen and look for my desk.

So why don't you?

I did see that some DDC's like the QULOOS QU02 can do 384Khz on the coaxial RCA output if i read their specs.
Is this false advertisement? Because i tought optical only goes up to 192kHz max.

All the info is right there on the product page:

Coax != Optical

 

[Mike_Trueman]

So why don't you?


All the info is right there on the product page:

View attachment 469776

Coax != Optical

Yeah but why have optical and coaxial not the same sample rate if they are the same? That was my question. I thought the maximum was 192kHz for optical.

 

[voodooless]

Yeah but why have optical and coaxial not the same sample rate if they are the same? That was my question. I thought the maximum was 192kHz for optical.

As you can see, it is max 192 kHz for the optical out. At a higher sample rate, it will probably just be silent.. That is fairly standard. The optical transmitters/receivers and cable materials just do not support higher sample rates reliably. So why limit the coaxial output as well?

 

[antcollinet]

If they all sound the same then i would buy the one with the nicest screen and look for my desk.

Why do you need a screen/display for a DDC?

Here is one. Just over £20 and essentailly a cable converter. Sure you can buy a fancy expensive box with a display - but it is all completely redundant if all you need is a toslink output from your PC.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cubilux-TOSLINK-Converter-Compatible-Computer/dp/B0B2DBGKL3/ref=sr_1_4?

 

[Mike_Trueman]

Ok i bought the SMSL PO100 2024 on Audiophonics today and saved me some money. Thanks for all your advice.

Now i can test the USB PO100 witch USB/coaxial to the amp vs the optical connection straight in to the PC to the amp.
Normally there would be no difference with coaxial vs optical when i switch between sources.

 

[antcollinet]

Could be, i will let my son or my wife do a blind test for me then when i have the time. (I love to test stuff)

So these 2 devices would sound 100% the same with matching volume?

• Windows PC connected with SPDIF to a NAD amplifier (Windows fixed sample rate/bitrate)
• NAD amp with build-in streamer running on linux with no extra connection needed (matching sample rate/bitrate with every song)

With *accurately matched* volume and the same file being played - and assuming neither windows noor the built in streamer are doing any different DSP - eq, volume control, tone control etc.

 

[Mike_Trueman]

With *accurately matched* volume and the same file being played - and assuming neither windows noor the built in streamer are doing any different DSP - eq, volume control, tone control etc.

I found the solution so that the NAD with an optical connecting to the PC sound the same as using the build in streamer in the NAD. (same streaming APP)
The problem was the volume sliders on the PC. I did not set the streaming apps on windows to 100% volume.

When every volume slider is set at 100% on Windows and also 100% on the windows streaming apps then it sounds all the same when controlling the volume only on the amplifier.