2. digital
  3. 1442462195

Help with Empirical Audio Off-ramp 3

I've been using an Off-ramp 3 in my HT rig to stream Pandora via an old Dell laptop with XP. Since this Dell laptop has a slow processor with minimal RAM, the audio quality is poor. I'd like to move the Offramp 3 to my main rig to stream Tidal. To improve data flow, I purchased a used HP laptop with a much faster processor and much more RAM. This unit will be dedicated for internet audio streaming only. Instead of XP, this laptop has Windows 7 professional.

There's a problem. This laptop does not want to recognize the Off-ramp 3. I've tried a zillion variations: adding the device, plugging and unplugging all of the cables in different sequences and different ports. I've also tried 4 different USB cables of different lengths - all high speed and shielded. I've even uninstalled and re-installed the USB drivers as per Microsoft community recommendations. No luck!

On #8 here, it states that Windows 7 needs WASAPI and Foobar. Foobar 'help' is written more for geeks than a layman like me.

Can anybody offer suggestions? First, I'd like to get the laptop to recognize the Off-ramp 3. Then, I'd like to get audio out of my speakers. Do I need WASAPI? Do I need Foobar? Help!

BTW, now my old Dell laptop doesn't recognize the Off-ramp 3 either. LOL.
steakster

Showing 3 responses by steakster

steakster OP
1,794 posts
 
Al is the man! The flimsy wall wart that came with the Off-ramp 3 tested okay for 12v. But, the voltage did seem to fluctuate a little. I substituted another one that I had. Bingo! Both old and new laptops recognized the device instantly as Empirical 1.1. Yeah! Al, which do you recommend for a new power supply - this one with 12v or that one?

The bad news is that no music is coming out of the laptop with Windows 7 Pro. Music is coming out of the laptop with Windows XP. Allegedly, the Off-ramp 3 is plug and play - unlike Versions 4 & 5. But according to the Empirical Audio website, it says here that WASAPI is needed. I downloaded and installed Foobar with WASAPI and ASIO4All to the laptop with Windows 7. Still, no luck with getting audio.
steakster OP
1,794 posts
 
Success! By right-clicking on the speakers icon, I discovered a sub-menu that wasn't there before. It defaulted to 96Hz. I changed it to 44.1. Voila! Music is coming out of the speakers. Thx all for your help. Al, which power supply do you like?
steakster OP
1,794 posts
 
Sorry about the broken links. Here's one unit. Can't find the other - probably sold. With a budget in mind, I purchased a used one of these. It was highly recommended by another audio group. I'll take care with the cable terminations. Later this week, I'm looking forward to checking out Tidal's HD streaming service. Thx, again.
More to discover