How do you bypass the Windows Mixer with a USB to SPDIF converter

[Robbymagman]

Hi there,

 

I just bought the Stello U2 24/96 USB to S/PDIF Interface. I am using Windows XP SP3 and Winamp (and also Media Monkey occasionally). At present my server has the M-Audio Audiophile 2496 PCI card, and today I spent some time experimenting with the Stello, and out of frustration, my TC Electronics Firewire Konnect 8 from my home studio.

 

The BIG, BIG, BIG problem is this. With both the M-Audio and the TC Electronic, I can set the ASIO output to drive the S/DIF RCA output DIRECTLY and hence bypass all the nastiness of the Windows Mixer. (ie: clicking and adjusting parameters/levels of the Windows mixer - in the tray - makes absolutely no difference whatsoever to the sound - as should be the case). With the Stello U2, it is impossible to bypass it! I have loaded ASIO4ALL and tried every output option imaginable (all selecting the Stello as the Output Device) and the Windows mixer is still in the audio path - as evidenced by it adjusting volume and balance and playing Windows system sounds along with the music). And it is messing up the sound IMO. Both of the previous options (M-Audio and TC Electronic) sound significantly better than the USB Stello - which should NOT be the case, given the Stello's PLL and galvanic isolation from the PC. I am convinced its the Windows mixer messing up the works!

 

So..........does anyone know how to bypass the Windows mixer with this (or I guess any other) USB device? Your help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Robert.

 

[danny71]

Interesting, I've been thinking about one of those myself!

 

Did you already have the chance to try it with the Kernel Stream plugin? If I understand it correctly, that should work excellent at least with foobar judging by the review linked from Aprilmusic themselves..

 

http://6moons.com/audioreviews/aprilmusic5/u2.html

 

If you don't feel like reading it all, here's what I find most interesting:

 

Feeling a bit flummoxed because audiophile wisdom of simple is better seemed capsized, I suddenly remembered my earlier interview with April Music's Simon Lee: "I am listening to PC with normally ripped CD 44.1 to WAV played by Foobar upsampled to 24/96 over the Stello U2 into our DA100 Signature DAC to be upsampled to 192kHz. From there I go into the new Ai500 and MG20.1 speakers. This is fantastic! You can even compare it with dCS. You will see very soon. We are optimistic about PC or streaming media playback but we have to see what SONY/BMG, Warner etc will do for HQ music. For the time being, we will concentrate on standard CD playback (CD or ripped) at 24/96 played via 192kHz upsampling."

 

Readers not familiar with the Stello DA100 Signature converter must know that it—like the Ai500 above—sports its own USB input. Yet the designer listens via the U2. Now I can appreciate why. I simply don't understand what makes it so. But my ears tell me that Mr. Lee is correct. For music lovers blissfully ignorant about engineering matters, that's good enough.

 

Good luck and keep us updated!

 

[Lizard_King]

Robert,

 

Make sure you use the latest M-Audio software. It has built in ASIO ability. Since you use Media Monkey, I suggest you use the Kernel Streaming plug in from Steve Monk. This plug in, written for winamp works with media monkey. The link is: http://www.stevemonks.com/

 

Also, you should unmapped the device. Go into System Properties>Properties> Device Manager> Sound , Video> choose the Dac Device> > Properties> Mixer device Properties> Do not use mixer features on this device.

 

That works for a DAC with USB. I am not sure about your interface device so you need to experiment.

 

Good Luck

 

Liz

 

[pgruebele]

The fundamental problem all of us have to deal with here is bit transparency. How do you know that your audio stream is not being modified before being sent to the DAC? You already purchased the Stello U2, so for you this is a moot point, but for anyone else who is concerned about this problem, there are 2 SPDIF transports out there that can test for bit transparency:

 

1. The USB based audiophilleo1

2. The firewire based INT202

 

Regards

 

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

Philip - I removed your post as it was a blatant advertisement for your own products.