Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion MQA - Related technology, products and music Explorer² with PC - not getting MQA

As you may have read in my other thread; I am having problems getting my Explorer² to work properly with my Asus (Windows 7) laptop. Thanks to ChrisLayerUK’s help; I have now managed to install the appropriate drivers onto my laptop and update the Explorer² firmware. At Chris’ house via his Windows 10 laptop (running Roon) we were able to play MQA files (blue light on!)via Explorer² into headphones.

Normally; I never play music from my laptop. Plugging in the Explorer² I played a few music files using windows media Player. The volume was initially very low and (with Chris’ help) got the volume sorted.

Today; I thought I would download an MQA file and try to play that. I downloaded from the 2L site “Mozart: Violin concerto in D major – Allegro Marianne Thorsen” the “MQA stereo original resolution” version.

My first problem is that Windows Media Player wouldn’t play the file. In fact WMP only seems to want to play a few MP3 files that I have; but not FLAC files. So I thought I would download another music player – Foobar2000. This plays all the files; but I noticed that only the initial white light on the Explorer² was illuminated.

Checking the properties of the file shows:



Thinking that a setting in my laptop is wrong; I have changed the sampling and resolution settings in Control Panel > Sound > Meridian USB DAC Explorer² Default Device > Advanced.

If I select 16 Bit 44100 Hz only the Explorer² first white light illuminates; as you would expect. If I select 24 Bit 192000 Hz all three lights are illuminated in white – as you would expect of a higher res non MQA file. No Blue light illuminates on the Explorer².

What am I doing wrong?

I see that another thread posed exactly the same question as I am asking here. That thread was closed with the suggestion that OP search on the forum for a solution as it had been posted before. Try as I might; I have searched this forum using terms such as 'Explorer²' 'MQA' 'PC Set up' etc. and I cannot find anything relevant. Whilst I did find something about setting up the Explorer² on a Mac; I couldn't see anything relevant to my PC problem. If this question has been answered before; I’d appreciate being pointed in the right direction.

I’m sure that both the Explorer² and MQA must be bringing new members to this forum and I’d guess that if any of them know as little about computers as I do; they would also appreciate being able to find answers to questions such as this.

Please keep any explanation clear and simple please. I am not a 'computer person' and don’t understand jargon. Assume that I’m an idiot - and even then there is a good chance it will all go over my head!

Thanks.

Almost certain that this isn't a bit-perfect player.

You need to make sure that Foobar2000 plays to the Explorer² in exclusive mode - look for ASIO or WASAPI settings in the Foobar configuration.

You need to google, foobar wasapi plugin and install it, once installed it will appear as an option within the output settings. You will need to choose WASAPI explorer 2 or similar to get this working.

Windows Media Player is as useful as a chocolate teapot for this application.

T

Are (some of) you using Apple products - is there a clue regarding the ASIO / WASAPI drivers ?

In Roon, under Settings -> Audio, I see "Meridian USB2 ASIO Driver [ASIO]" and I also have an "Oppo USB AUDIO 2.0 DRIVER [ASIO]" installed.

How do you force WASAPI drivers, if that's important ?

I think I have installed the WASAPI plugin to Foobar2000.

The only configuration option that I can see is under the 'library' tab.

The only option beside Wasapi is 'high worker process priority'. Ticking that seems to make no difference as far as I can see.



Do I still have to alter any sound settings in my PC? Or have have configured/misconfigured the wrong thing?

Or should I install another better/easier for me to use music player?

Thanks.

You need to look under the playback tab a few up on the left, I would be able to guide you better but I'm nowhere near a pc at the moment.

These are the only options I see under the playback tab:



Not sure how they help.

Thanks for your advice - much appreciated.

I think he was referring to your previous screen grab, where there was a playback option under preferences.

Ah; ok.

Going to components > playback there are two options.

DSP:



And Output:



Not sure if that helps?

What do you se in the device drop down ? Where is says primary device driver.

You should see WASAPI there as an option if you have installed it.

Event mode, push, pull etc IIRC.

Thanks Nick.

These are the options:



Hope that helps.

Ok... good.
So select a WASAPI/explorer output and you should be done.