USB DACs, WIndows 11, and newer Intel chipsets

@cundare2 ,

I did read your post and I was hoping that others who are on the fence to upgrade their desktop to a new machine, read the options that I was suggesting. Because if they are in the similar situation as you were earlier, they could upgrade their existing installation and still use their old DAC. People have reported on the Windows forums that after using Rufus to upgrade their Windows 10 to 11, they are still are able to use legacy devices.

Also, I stand by my comment on analog Vs digital. I suggest you check out Audiophilestyle and see the depth of digital knowledge being discussed on that forum. I have been on this site for 2 decades and have high respect for the well known members and the newer members members who are respectful to others. But the depth of digital discussions that go on the Audiophilestyle site (whether folks like it or not) is at a completely different level.

BTW, what are the components of your $50k system? Would love to see that, if you can post some pics.

@milpai

Sigh.  Again, Windows is not the issue.  This is a hardware problem rooted in the different timing of the handshaking that takes place when a motherboard initializes its USB ports.  Some devices just can’t identify themselves fast enough to be enumerated during POST.  The souped-up ASUS deployment for this chipset, even when not overclocked, does not recognize the Explorer in the UEFI, long before it even attempts to load Windows.  Trust me on this.  I’ve got over 40 years experience debugging PC hardware -- personally and professionally -- and did some deep research to diagnose the problem.  From what other mobo mfrs are saying, this is quickly becoming the rule, not the exception, in PCs that use newer hardware.  Intel is discouraging OEMs from supporting legacy components.  That kind of attitude was one reason why I never found Apple all that attractive, and now the Microsoft/Intel axis is doing the same thing.

We’ll have to agree to disagree re: whether Audiogon is a credible forum for discussions of "digital" gear. I have no idea why anybody would contest that, but whatever. I did check out Audiophile Style, as you suggested, but it didn’t seem to me to offer anything beyond what I see here at Audiogon.

You want to know what’s in my system?  Well, OK.  Harbeth speakers, T+A electronics, GEM Dandy Polytable Signature turntable, DS Audio cartridge & EQ, Korf arm, Marantz surround processor, MartinLogan sub (my weak link: soon to be upgraded to a pair of Perlistens), Audioquest Niagara power conditioner and power cables, and lots of odds & ends, like Analysis Plus Silver Apex interconnects, Wireworld speaker cables, etc. etc.  Now that I think about it, $50K may have been a lowball, when I’ve spent five figures just on cabling.  <wide-eyed stare> Jeezus, how much HAVE I spent??

@cundare2 

Not sure where you get off going off on @milpai like you did.

His post was cogent and helpful. The problem isn’t with your new hardware’s lack of support for deprecated standards, it is with you wanting a win 11 system (why tf?). Anyway, as @milpai explained Microsoft will gladly let you install win 11 on your old(er) system. They just won’t outwardly condone it.

If you were set on keeping your ancient Meridian POS going, there are a number of ways you could have done it. If you just wanted a win 11-compatible DAC, you could just run LDAC over BT with a approx $250 SMSL (or other) DAC. No one needs USB or cables in a basic setup like you describe.

Instead on whining about the Intel / Microsoft axis of evil, why don’t you just run Linux like a normal person? Just sayin

"Intel is discouraging OEMs from supporting legacy components.  That kind of attitude was one reason why I never found Apple all that attractive, and now the Microsoft/Intel axis is doing the same thing."

And that royally sux. The rule used to be "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Now it seems to be "If it ain't broke, fix it so it will be."