I built a Windows-based music server that feeds directly to my DAC. I learned that digital output from the motherboard produces miserable results, so I installed a Sound Blaster Audigy 5/Rx that has optical and coaxial output, and it's much better, especially when I select Bit Accurate Playback. That left me wondering if there is another level I can attain with a different card. I think I have a general idea why the Sound Blaster is superior to the motherboard's output, but I have no idea whether one sound card would be better than another with respect to digital output. Thoughts? Experiences?
The word clock might make a difference, how much is up to you but I wouldn't worry to much about it, the quality of the DAC is much more important.
I agree with you. The quality of the clocks can make a difference when you use an I2S interface and a DAC that doesn't suppress the jitter of the source, but considering that NWAudiophile is using the S/PDIF or Toslink interface, I don't think that applies here.
Pink Faun, JCat, SoTM and others make PCIe output cards in various formats (I2S, S/PDIF, USB-which I'd avoid)
perhaps you want to try Daphile, it can work from a USB stick to evaluate, sounds very good and is bitperfect. I left W for audio some years ago, never looked back.
perhaps you want to try Daphile, it can work from a USB stick to evaluate, sounds very good and is bitperfect. I left W for audio some years ago, never looked back.
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