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Topic: foobar setup for USB DAC (Read 7302 times) previous topic - next topic
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foobar setup for USB DAC

I'm putting together a vintage audio system, 30 year old Yamaha receiver, SuperZero speakers and a Thorens TT. I added a HIFImeDIY Sabre asynchronous DAC to play back the many WAVPACK files on my HTPC server. Foobar2000 is my chosen audio player and I am looking for advice on configuration and plugins for foobar2000 for optimum audio playback quality.

The DAC has ASIO output support but I've read differing opinions on ASIO support so I'd appreciate opinions on its value. I've already set File->Playback buffering to 128MB.

Thanks in advance for all feedback and recommendations.

Best Regards,

Marcel

foobar setup for USB DAC

Reply #1 –
Quote from: maleemi on
I am looking for advice on configuration and plugins for foobar2000 for optimum audio playback quality.
(1) Install foobar2000
(2) Play files

What else is needed? Do you think the choice of output method affects quality, in any case besides an externally decoded format or a horribly broken computer?

Quote
The DAC has ASIO output support but I've read differing opinions on ASIO support so I'd appreciate opinions on its value.
It shouldn’t make any difference.

Quote
I've already set File->Playback buffering to 128MB.
What is this supposed to achieve?

foobar setup for USB DAC

Reply #2 –
Quote from: maleemi on
The DAC has ASIO output support but I've read differing opinions on ASIO support so I'd appreciate opinions on its value.


WASAPI would bypass the Windows mixer with the issues that may bring you (system sounds in your music, and the reported limiter quirks). This assuming you don't use XP.

If you use ASIO, then fb2k will usually also take exclusive control over the device, thus again keeping system sounds safely out of your music. IIRC, this is just a side effect, but it is to me a much welcome one.

foobar setup for USB DAC

Reply #3 –
Thanks for the on point recommendations Porcus! Are WASAPI and ASIO an either/or proposition or is there any advantage to installing both in foobar2000?

Best Regards,

Marcel