ToTo Man Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 I've read the A+ user manual and several forum threads but I am still confused about how the iZotope SRC Advanced Parameters in Audirvana+ affects playback of straight PCM (non-resampled and resampled) and DSD-to-PCM conversions. I have a Schiit Uber Bifrost USB DAC which natively accepts 44.1kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz and 192kHz PCM without applying internal non-integer sample rate conversion. This is what attracted me to this DAC, - I wanted a DAC that did not resample everything to 192kHz. When I play music on A+, the display says INT and the displayed bit depth and sample rate matches that of the music I'm playing. I am therefore assuming that A+ is sending music to my DAC at the music's native sample rate, but I cannot verify this because my DAC does not have a sample rate indicator. 1) So my first question is how do I make sure A+ sends music to my DAC without any software sample rate conversion or other processing? Am I correct that all I have to do is make sure that 'Forced Upsampling' in the Audio Filter preferences is set to 'None', and that by doing this the 'Advanced Parameters' sliders have no effect? 2) What happens if I select 'Custom Upsampling' and make all the DAC sample rates the same as the native sample rates EXCEPT for 352.8KHz and 384kHz, which I choose to downsample to 174.6kHz and 192kHz? Does this mean the sample rate conversion parameters are only activated for these two sample rates, or do they become activated for all? 3) I am aware that DSD has a lot of HF noise that steadily rises above 40kHz. What is the most desirable method to remove this noise when playing DSD music via on-the-fly DSD-to-PCM conversion? Am I correct in thinking that the simplest method is to select '352.8kHz -> 88.2kHz' downsampling in the 'Custom Upsampling' settings, which I assume applies brickwall low-pass filtering at 44.1kHz. Or is it preferable to downsample to a higher frequency (e.g. 176.4kHz) and use the advanced parameter sliders to tweak the filtering? 4) When playing DSD music with on-the-fly DSD-to-PCM conversion, are the sample rate conversion advanced parameters always available, or does it depend on which DSD-to-PCM algorithm is chosen? And which algorithm is the preferred choice, e.g. Simple Decimation, Integer Multistage, 32bit Multistage, or 64bit Multistage? 5) If I add a DSD DAC and instruct A+ to use 'DSD over PCM standard 1.0', does this bypass all of the sample rate conversion advanced parameters referenced above? Apologies for so many questions, - I'm just trying to get my head around it all!... Loudspeaker system: 2010 Mac Mini 2.66GHz C2D -> 10.11.6 -> A+ 2.6.8 -> Schiit Yggdrasil (USB.v5 & Analog.v2) -> Yamaha A-S3000 -> Tannoy Edinburgh Monitor Gold 12 & BK XXLS400 Headphone system: 2010 Mac Mini 2.66GHz C2D -> 10.11.6 -> A+ 2.6.8 -> Schiit Yggdrasil (USB.v5 & Analog.v2) -> Schiit Mjolnir 2 / Schiit Jotunheim -> Sennheiser HD800S / HD600 Link to comment
ToTo Man Posted July 15, 2014 Author Share Posted July 15, 2014 275 views and no replies… was it something I said??!! Loudspeaker system: 2010 Mac Mini 2.66GHz C2D -> 10.11.6 -> A+ 2.6.8 -> Schiit Yggdrasil (USB.v5 & Analog.v2) -> Yamaha A-S3000 -> Tannoy Edinburgh Monitor Gold 12 & BK XXLS400 Headphone system: 2010 Mac Mini 2.66GHz C2D -> 10.11.6 -> A+ 2.6.8 -> Schiit Yggdrasil (USB.v5 & Analog.v2) -> Schiit Mjolnir 2 / Schiit Jotunheim -> Sennheiser HD800S / HD600 Link to comment
wgscott Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 1) So my first question is how do I make sure A+ sends music to my DAC without any software sample rate conversion or other processing? Am I correct that all I have to do is make sure that 'Forced Upsampling' in the Audio Filter preferences is set to 'None', Yes and that by doing this the 'Advanced Parameters' sliders have no effect? I'm not sure they are dependent upon up-sampling. 2) What happens if I select 'Custom Upsampling' and make all the DAC sample rates the same as the native sample rates EXCEPT for 352.8KHz and 384kHz, which I choose to downsample to 174.6kHz and 192kHz? Does this mean the sample rate conversion parameters are only activated for these two sample rates, or do they become activated for all? The only ones that are turned on are those where the numbers are not identical. 3) I am aware that DSD has a lot of HF noise that steadily rises above 40kHz. What is the most desirable method to remove this noise when playing DSD music via on-the-fly DSD-to-PCM conversion? Am I correct in thinking that the simplest method is to select '352.8kHz -> 88.2kHz' downsampling in the 'Custom Upsampling' settings, which I assume applies brickwall low-pass filtering at 44.1kHz. Or is it preferable to downsample to a higher frequency (e.g. 176.4kHz) and use the advanced parameter sliders to tweak the filtering? I personally would sample to 88.2 kHz. But it is a judgement call. 4) When playing DSD music with on-the-fly DSD-to-PCM conversion, are the sample rate conversion advanced parameters always available, or does it depend on which DSD-to-PCM algorithm is chosen? And which algorithm is the preferred choice, e.g. Simple Decimation, Integer Multistage, 32bit Multistage, or 64bit Multistage? Beats me. 5) If I add a DSD DAC and instruct A+ to use 'DSD over PCM standard 1.0', does this bypass all of the sample rate conversion advanced parameters referenced above? Apologies for so many questions, - I'm just trying to get my head around it all!... Durned if I know. Link to comment
wgscott Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 275 views and no replies… was it something I said??!! I think the only one who can answer your questions decisively is Damien. Link to comment
miguelito Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 1) So my first question is how do I make sure A+ sends music to my DAC without any software sample rate conversion or other processing? Audio Midi app (in Utilities folder). 2) What happens if I select 'Custom Upsampling' and make all the DAC sample rates the same as the native sample rates EXCEPT for 352.8KHz and 384kHz, which I choose to downsample to 174.6kHz and 192kHz? Does this mean the sample rate conversion parameters are only activated for these two sample rates, or do they become activated for all? I doubt that the bitstream will be touched if the sample rate is the same as the source file, but of course I don't know. Should ask that question to Damien on the Audirvana forums. 5) If I add a DSD DAC and instruct A+ to use 'DSD over PCM standard 1.0', does this bypass all of the sample rate conversion advanced parameters referenced above? I believe so. The point is to pass the DSD bitstream untouched. If the DSD bitstream bandwidth is not supported by your device (eg DSD128 sent to a DSD64 device) I would expect that PCM will be sent instead. Mig NUC10i7 + Roon ROCK > dCS Rossini APEX DAC + dCS Rossini Master Clock SME 20/3 + SME V + Dynavector XV-1s or ANUK IO Gold > vdH The Grail or Kondo KSL-SFz + ANK L3 Phono Audio Note Kondo Ongaku > Avantgarde Duo Mezzo Signal cables: Kondo Silver, Crystal Cable phono Power cables: Kondo, Shunyata, van den Hul system pics Link to comment
Jud Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 Your premise may be flawed (that the DAC's upsampling will sound better than allowing Audirvana Plus to handle the portion up to 176.4/192). Try it both ways - allowing the DAC to handle all upsampling, and allowing Audirvana Plus to handle part of it. See what you prefer. One never knows, do one? - Fats Waller The fairest thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science. - Einstein Computer, Audirvana -> optical to Fitlet3 -> ISO Regen -> iFi NEO iDSD DAC -> Apollon Audio 1ET400A Mini (Purifi based) -> Vandersteen 3A Signature. Link to comment
ToTo Man Posted July 19, 2014 Author Share Posted July 19, 2014 Yes I'm not sure they are dependent upon up-sampling. The only ones that are turned on are those where the numbers are not identical. I personally would sample to 88.2 kHz. But it is a judgement call. Beats me. Durned if I know. Audio Midi app (in Utilities folder). I doubt that the bitstream will be touched if the sample rate is the same as the source file, but of course I don't know. Should ask that question to Damien on the Audirvana forums. I believe so. The point is to pass the DSD bitstream untouched. If the DSD bitstream bandwidth is not supported by your device (eg DSD128 sent to a DSD64 device) I would expect that PCM will be sent instead. Mig Thanks! Loudspeaker system: 2010 Mac Mini 2.66GHz C2D -> 10.11.6 -> A+ 2.6.8 -> Schiit Yggdrasil (USB.v5 & Analog.v2) -> Yamaha A-S3000 -> Tannoy Edinburgh Monitor Gold 12 & BK XXLS400 Headphone system: 2010 Mac Mini 2.66GHz C2D -> 10.11.6 -> A+ 2.6.8 -> Schiit Yggdrasil (USB.v5 & Analog.v2) -> Schiit Mjolnir 2 / Schiit Jotunheim -> Sennheiser HD800S / HD600 Link to comment
isquirrel Posted September 25, 2014 Share Posted September 25, 2014 Interestingly I have been messing around with the settings with up sampling set to zero, so it would be great to get clarification from Damien on the points raised as the user manual is not clear on this. Music Sever - Taiko Extreme DAC's - MSB Select II + Femto 33 Clock + Dual power supplies + Pro USB Module Amp's - Raal HSA-1b, MSB Reference HP Amp, MSB Select Estat Headphone Amp Woo 234 Mono's Elite, Takatsuki 300B, 274B Headphones - Raal Requisite sr1a, MySphere 3.2, Kennerton Thror's, Stax SR-009 & 009S, Sony MRD-Z1, Abyss Phi TC, Audeze LCD-4, 24 & 4Z, Focal Utopia, HiFiMan Susvara Cables - DHC OPUS HP, Stage III Gorgon XLR's + Xphynx USB Power - Shunyata Triton V3 & Typhon QR + Sigma PC's Isolation - HRS SXR Ref Stand + MX3R Isolation Bases Link to comment
goldsdad Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 Interestingly I have been messing around with the settings with up sampling set to zero, so it would be great to get clarification from Damien on the points raised as the user manual is not clear on this. Are you hearing differences between various iZotope parameters when upsampling is set to none? Link to comment
isquirrel Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 I don't think so Music Sever - Taiko Extreme DAC's - MSB Select II + Femto 33 Clock + Dual power supplies + Pro USB Module Amp's - Raal HSA-1b, MSB Reference HP Amp, MSB Select Estat Headphone Amp Woo 234 Mono's Elite, Takatsuki 300B, 274B Headphones - Raal Requisite sr1a, MySphere 3.2, Kennerton Thror's, Stax SR-009 & 009S, Sony MRD-Z1, Abyss Phi TC, Audeze LCD-4, 24 & 4Z, Focal Utopia, HiFiMan Susvara Cables - DHC OPUS HP, Stage III Gorgon XLR's + Xphynx USB Power - Shunyata Triton V3 & Typhon QR + Sigma PC's Isolation - HRS SXR Ref Stand + MX3R Isolation Bases Link to comment
goldsdad Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 I don't think so Good. Link to comment
Jud Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 Good. Remember, it's no *forced* SRC, so there can still be sample rate conversion if the original rate can't be played by the DAC. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk One never knows, do one? - Fats Waller The fairest thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science. - Einstein Computer, Audirvana -> optical to Fitlet3 -> ISO Regen -> iFi NEO iDSD DAC -> Apollon Audio 1ET400A Mini (Purifi based) -> Vandersteen 3A Signature. Link to comment
goldsdad Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 Remember, it's no *forced* SRC, so there can still be sample rate conversion if the original rate can't be played by the DAC. Yes, and I intended to ask isquirrel about the specific circumstances if he had replied affirmatively to my question. Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now