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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 8,364 Likes: 14
President of the Imperial Galactic Government
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President of the Imperial Galactic Government
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 8,364 Likes: 14 |
Ouch! I didn't mean to start a squabble.
I have a PC with an optical digital output. However, it does respond to the volume control in Windows which I gather means that it is not bypassing all
Windows machinations.
It seems overkill to buy a gadget which has DACs, microphone in/out and other
bells and whistles when all we want is a bit perfect digital stream out. Is
there no simpler way to get that? TJS you didn't do anything wrong. It does not matter if it has DACs, microphone, etc. It's dirt cheap. $130.00. It can also be used for a dozen other things. MRC, Ripping SACD, Third Party Room analysis, A to D converter, Headphone amp, Fiddle Pickup Preamp to SPDIF, Tool for discovering things like +3dB Tweak (silly stuff like that). If you want a simpler unit or cheaper unit, they exist. There are dozens. I explained how to find one. Look for WASAPI or ASIO (or ideally both). Someone just posted a thread on one that was all built into the cable. Supports WASAPI only. But it's like $450.00 !!! It took me a looooooooooooong time to find the TASCAM MKII (probably my 7th unit). I sold off all the others and bought 2 more TASCAM MKII's. Because they do work and they are cheap. Others have posted cheaper units units ($40.00) that support WASAPI. I just can't vouch for them. If you want to save a few bucks. Post a new thread (since this one is trashed) on Cheapest WASAPI USB to SPDIF convert that works on Windows 7 64bit (or x86 if that's what you run). But again, Winamp can't run WASAPI (winamp is an absolute requirement for PC to SPDIF based system for me). If you do want Winamp then I recommend the TASCAM MKII. I don't know of a unit that is cheaper that does better on ASIO. But I'm warning you it does require some geek-headedness to get it all working OPTIMALLY (a 3rd grader to get it running non-optimally). Folks that don't understand what I'm saying I'd appreciate your moving on.
- Fiddler (IMHO)
If you think listening to music is fun, try learning an instrument.
HT: G61RSL, 4x5K, 5.5KHC, 2xSC6000, Transporter, HD621, Philips BDP7501 4K, Tivo, 65" LG OLED 4K C6
Computer: Foobar2000, 5K, Mojo, HiFiMan HE1000 V2
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 70
Mostly harmless
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Mostly harmless
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 70 |
Bless you for your patience, George.
I've done some sleuthing and come up with one possible alternative. M2Tech, an
Italian company I believe, has a simple gadget call hiFace that looks like an overgrown USB thumb drive with SPDIF on the other end. It got excellent reviews from 6moons and others. Costs a little more than the TASCAM though!
TJS
G68ADV, 500, DSP5200, DSP5500C, Analog surrounds.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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Vogon Civil Servant
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Vogon Civil Servant
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,014 |
Ok Then, who was it that said
"Run a Mac"??
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 8,364 Likes: 14
President of the Imperial Galactic Government
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President of the Imperial Galactic Government
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 8,364 Likes: 14 |
Ok Then, who was it that said
"Run a Mac"?? Gee I have no idea what these guys were implying. George is busy learning IFiddle on a pc
No wonder he is confused.
Roger
Just ordered my 5th Mac (for the boss in the kitchen) Exactly. And even if you do understand some of it, I find it all quite boring after 20 years of building PCs and tinkering with Windows: which is why I (a) went to Mac What I really find funny is two folks that hinted at a Sooloos DON'T EVEN have one !!
- Fiddler (IMHO)
If you think listening to music is fun, try learning an instrument.
HT: G61RSL, 4x5K, 5.5KHC, 2xSC6000, Transporter, HD621, Philips BDP7501 4K, Tivo, 65" LG OLED 4K C6
Computer: Foobar2000, 5K, Mojo, HiFiMan HE1000 V2
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,014
Vogon Civil Servant
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Vogon Civil Servant
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,014 |
Well here are just some of the recent "mentions"........... Mac Mini Server with
* Pure Music Player for RAM and Hog Mode Playback from iTunes. Also Seamless High Res playback
* Bypasses Apple�s MIDI Output
* Apple Remote Desktop software
� Supersync Software for iTunes Library Backup and Propagation to other Libraries around the house For those who might be interested in using iTunes, take a look at the Pure Music Player link below For $120, this sits on top of iTunes and does ALL the Playing of Music. Apple�s MIDI Output is bypassed and All Albums & Playlists are Pre-Loaded into the RAM of the computer, which is beneficial over music from the spinning drive Upsampling is also available, even though I think that's best left to the receiving Meridian Processor http://www.channld.com/puremusic/index.html Stereophile ReviewBut the Midi / Core Audio interface that ALL the Apple software uses, does not allow SEAMLESS Playback of High Res and Standard Res material
If you have the Output set to 16/44 and send it a 24/96 file, then the Mac Audio Output will RESAMPLE the 24/96 Data down to 16/44 at the Digital Output.
If you want to change the output to True 24/96, then you have to change the Midi Output and close and restart iTunes. Not that big a deal, but it still has to be done
The Play software above bypasses the Core Audio out and thus allows a user to play 16/44 material immediately followed by 24/96 material.
Seamless Playback and Memory Play from RAM are its main advantages David
Just wondering if you had considered the Pure Music Player, which sits on top of ITunes (which still manages the Tracks, Playlists and Tagging etc.)
Using something like a Mac Mini next to your Meridian Processor, this allows for
a) 24/96 Playback of ripped 2ch DVD-A's and other HD Downloads. It also allows Seamless playback of all Sample and Bit Rates bypassing Apple�s Midi output
b) Allows you to keep your existing iTunes / Sonos structures and minimises Hassle
c) Use of iPad Remote App to control your Music and Track selection
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 8,364 Likes: 14
President of the Imperial Galactic Government
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President of the Imperial Galactic Government
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 8,364 Likes: 14 |
Your right Ronnie, folks that don't have Sooloos should be recomending them.
Not one mention of Puremagic in THIS thread (and many others). Like it will magically appear by it self.
I DID say Puremagic HAS been mentioned on the FORUM.
And that is what I meant by don't run stuff that begins with "i". Sorry you didn't get it.
DON'T RUN iTunes direct to SPDIF (most Mac users [running SPDIF direct from Mac] DO and I'll bet most do on this forum).
And motherboard SPDIF on PC's (that you recommended) are total crap due to lack of WASAPI or ASIO drivers. If you know of motherboard that does support WASAPI I'd be curious. TJS himself has such a board and he was correct to ask about the TASCAM so solve. Then Sooloos wanna-owns came to the rescue.
You sure keep reaching and digging for reasons to prove my complaint was unjustified.
These replies were RUDE and unhelpful IMHO (even though some were trying to be humorous).
Gee if I don't understand that whole bunch of technical stuff you just posted for Mac I should run and get a Sooloos, right.
That was my whole point. There is good amount of technical information needed for ANY platform. Macs are not immune.
I could write a page of techinical information on any system (Mac, PC, SqueezeBox, Sooloos).
I chose to write something up on the PC help someone.
RUDE folks jumped on it like it was a unique problem to windows.
Then I defended myself. And now your trying to rip my defense.
You guys wear me down to the bone.
- Fiddler (IMHO)
If you think listening to music is fun, try learning an instrument.
HT: G61RSL, 4x5K, 5.5KHC, 2xSC6000, Transporter, HD621, Philips BDP7501 4K, Tivo, 65" LG OLED 4K C6
Computer: Foobar2000, 5K, Mojo, HiFiMan HE1000 V2
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,014
Vogon Civil Servant
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Vogon Civil Servant
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,014 |
I was referring to RME Soundcards (and others) that offer Coax and Optical outputs as well as their own drivers which bypass the Windows ones
My first post says nothing about "motherboard" cards. Please don't misquote
My only reason for taking you up on this is what I consider to be your Incendiary remarks saying "If you don't care about quality then use a Mac" and "Macs are not used for mainstream commercial work yet."
I'm far from an Apple guy but use both OSX and Windows (and other OS) machines on a daily basis. Each have their advantages, particularly for certain applications, but trying to infer that one is better or more capable than the other has little accuracy in today's world
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Joined: Sep 2005
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Mostly harmless
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Mostly harmless
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 70 |
I found a forum where a post said that Foobar could
run WASAPI. I downloaded a Wasapi .dll for Foobar. In Foobar/file/properties/playback/output there is now an option in the drop down box for "Wasapi: Realtek Digital Output (Realtek High Definition Audio)". This is an optical output.
Problem solved? I have sound. The Realtek volume control on my Windows PC still works. This is clearly INTENDED to bypass. Does it?
Isn't this FUN ?
TJS
G68ADV, 500, DSP5200, DSP5500C, Analog surrounds.
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 735
Paranoid android
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Paranoid android
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 735 |
George ,please calm down and carry on, we all love you.
Perhaps the stress of Christmas is taking its toll
Are you busking with your fiddle?
Its very cold out there.
I don't think you need any Hog software to run Tunes (I have spared you the I) superbly on a Mac.
No need for a licence
You do need to access Audio /Midi panel for HiRez, and that's no more onorous than changing speed on a venerable RtR.
In fact I think the Hogs only manipulate level, the oldest trick in the book in my umble opinion.
Roger.
518, 568.2, D6Ks, D6KC, iMac dual core, iTunes 10.1 (lossless), Apogee Duet, Kuro 500A, Logic Studio, Sound Devices 702.
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 70
Mostly harmless
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Mostly harmless
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 70 |
A little more fiddling with Windows and foobar and now the Windows volume control is NOT functioning. So...it looks good! Output via WASAPI bypassing Windows. Sounds pretty good too.
TJS
G68ADV, 500, DSP5200, DSP5500C, Analog surrounds.
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 8,364 Likes: 14
President of the Imperial Galactic Government
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President of the Imperial Galactic Government
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 8,364 Likes: 14 |
A little more fiddling with Windows and foobar and now the Windows volume control is NOT functioning. So...it looks good! Output via WASAPI bypassing Windows. Sounds pretty good too. Great. Now try a DTS test to verify. I wish WinAmp would add WASAPI.
- Fiddler (IMHO)
If you think listening to music is fun, try learning an instrument.
HT: G61RSL, 4x5K, 5.5KHC, 2xSC6000, Transporter, HD621, Philips BDP7501 4K, Tivo, 65" LG OLED 4K C6
Computer: Foobar2000, 5K, Mojo, HiFiMan HE1000 V2
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