2. pc-audio
  3. 1139784453

Bit perfect digital output from pc

I'm hoping someone can help me grasp the difficulty in getting a 44.1KHz signal from my pc to dac. I'm putting together my first 2 channel HT/audio pc.

Reading this forum, I gather you firstly need a sound card that will output 44.1KHz without first resampling to 48KHz. Any recommendations?

Secondly, it appears Windows will not in fact allow a 44.1KHz output. Can someone explain why this is? Is this something that will be corrected in Vista? Are Macs similarly handicapped?

Thirdly, there seems to be some very complicated ways of bypassing whatever it is in Windows that prevents the 44.1KHz signal using ASIO or kernel streaming. Can someone please explain what these are and how to use them?

Lastly, it seems you need a software player capable of a 44.1KHz signal - I see Winamp mentioned a lot. Will Windows Media Player not do the job? Any other software recommendations?

Thanks for your help. I just want my computer to output a standard cd signal and I really don't understand why it should be this complicated.
baileyincanberra

Showing 2 responses by planckscale

planckscale
60 posts
 
Guys,

Not to start a MAC vs PC war, but iTunes and iPods to me are in the realm of MP3, and as an audiophile, I find no interest in them.

However, I may be ignorant, because it seems to me people around here are increasingly comfortable in talking about iPods, MP3, and the likes. Am I missing something?

Regards,
planckscale
60 posts
 
Thanks, was just concerned with how the MP3s (the likes) are becoming commonly used phases around here. I love the idea of a hard drive as a source. I will be building mine around the Lynx one card, which is about $240 on eBay. Will upgrade to lynx 2, when it falls to $300 (I can wait!).

I am using the Aragon Aurum, which has only analog [balanced] inputs - digital out will not work for me. Besides, has anyone around here tested the electrical noise inside a PC? I know there are reasons to suspect all kinds of electro-magnetic inductions, but is it to a degree that an internal DAC will not work? Has anyone actually substantiated this impossibility? Lynx specs are pretty good considering they were done inside a PC!
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