ASIO or Kernel Streaming with Vista - Necessary or Not?
adam2434
Posts: 995
For background, I'm running Vista, using Foobar to play FLAC files (16/44.1 from CDs) ripped with EAC. I don't do any resampling in Foobar and have defaults set to 16/44.1 wherever possible in Foobar, Vista, and in the sound card settings. I also have verified that my sound card does not resample. I've disabled all Windows sounds too. I'm using my PC's coax SPDIF to send the audio to my MSB Nelson Link III DAC. It sounds great, but I'm not sure I have it tweaked to the utmost.
I've researched the question of the need to use ASIO or Kernel Streaming to get bit-perfect output, and there are differing opinions on whether they are needed with Vista, since Vista is supposed to natively handle audio "better" than previous Windows OS.
For folks using Vista, what are your opinions on this, and how are you configured?
Thanks,
Adam
I've researched the question of the need to use ASIO or Kernel Streaming to get bit-perfect output, and there are differing opinions on whether they are needed with Vista, since Vista is supposed to natively handle audio "better" than previous Windows OS.
For folks using Vista, what are your opinions on this, and how are you configured?
Thanks,
Adam
5.1 and 2.0 ch Basement Media Room: Outlaw 975/Emotiva DC-1/Rotel RB-1582 MKII/Rotel RB-1552/Audiosource Amp 3/Polk LS90, CS400i, FX500i/Outlaw X-12, LFM-1/JVD DLA-HD250/Da-Lite 100" HCCV/Sony ES BDP/Sonos Connect. DC-1/RB-1582 MKII/Sonos Connect also feed Polk 7C in garage or Dayton IO655 on patio.
2.1 ch Basement Gym: Denon AVR-2807/Klipsch Forte I or NHT SB2/JBL SUB 550P x 2/Chromecast Audio.
2.0 ch Living Room: Rotel RX-1052/Emotiva DC-1/Klipsch RF-7 III/Sony ES BDP/LG 65" LED.
2.0 ch Semi-portable: Klipsch Powergate/NHT SB3/Chromecast Audio.
Kitchen: Sonos Play5.
2.1 ch Basement Gym: Denon AVR-2807/Klipsch Forte I or NHT SB2/JBL SUB 550P x 2/Chromecast Audio.
2.0 ch Living Room: Rotel RX-1052/Emotiva DC-1/Klipsch RF-7 III/Sony ES BDP/LG 65" LED.
2.0 ch Semi-portable: Klipsch Powergate/NHT SB3/Chromecast Audio.
Kitchen: Sonos Play5.
Post edited by adam2434 on
Comments
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I've always used Kernel streaming. I use FireFox however.
H9"Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul! -
A lot of folks on here swear by ASIO or other Win-mixer bypass programs. I have looked into it since I do the same thing you do (Vista with digital-out to DAC), but I am satisfied with my system as is. They are just not as user friendly as other programs and to me it's not worth it.
