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Topic: Raw 192/24 files from laptop to headphones. USB DAC needed? (Read 1958 times) previous topic - next topic
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Raw 192/24 files from laptop to headphones. USB DAC needed?

Hi!
I'm currently playing 192/24 audio files using my laptop hooked up to a Denon receiver via HDMI. I use Foobar and the Wasapi output mode. The receiver plays the 192/24 files just fine--both stereo and multichannel.

I'd love to hear those 192/24 files with my headphones, too. Do I need a USB DAC --such as Mojo-- to hear those files at their full 192/24 resolution? As far as I know, Foobar bypasses Windows sound settings and sends out the pure audio signal. Is the USB DAC really needed for the Digital-to-Analog conversion? 

Thanks!

Re: Raw 192/24 files from laptop to headphones. USB DAC needed?

Reply #1 –
It's a receiver. What outputs does it have? Loudspeaker, but no headphones?

And, you probably know that there is no way to hear full 192/24 resolution anyway (the DACs accept it as input format, but that is something else). Sure you want to play your files, though.

Re: Raw 192/24 files from laptop to headphones. USB DAC needed?

Reply #2 –
Are you sure  the Denon isn't resampling?   AVRs are capable of decoding all kinds of lossy and lossless formats so it can probably re-sample to match the hardware limitations.

Quote
As far as I know, Foobar bypasses Windows sound settings and sends out the pure audio signal. Is the USB DAC really needed for the Digital-to-Analog conversion?
By default the standard Windows drivers will automatically make any necessary conversions so any cheap soundcard (including USB soundcards) can play 24/196 files. 

I'm NOT a foobar2000 expert so someone else will have to help,  but I believe you can use ASIO drivers, or WASAPI drivers in "exclusive mode" to prevent resampling. 

Most "DACs" don't come with ASIO drivers but you can use ASIO4ALL.    ASIO support is fairly common with professional audio interfaces, which of course include an ADC & DAC. 

Re: Raw 192/24 files from laptop to headphones. USB DAC needed?

Reply #3 –
Thanks!

I don't think the receiver is resampling the files as it's supposedly able to bitstream 192/24 files.

I do not want to plug the headphones into the receiver. I'd like to plug them right into the laptop, that's why I was wondering if I really need the USB DAC to hear the files at their full 192/24 resolution.

Re: Raw 192/24 files from laptop to headphones. USB DAC needed?

Reply #4 –
Quote from: cirerita on
I'd like to plug them right into the laptop, that's why I was wondering if I really need the USB DAC to hear the files at their full 192/24 resolution.

Does the laptop support 192k/24 bit output?  If not, then yes you will need to add an external device if you want to do that.

Re: Raw 192/24 files from laptop to headphones. USB DAC needed?

Reply #5 –
Open the Win audio panel and check the sample rates supported by the headphone out.
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