Columns Retired Columns & Blogs |
November 7, 2008 - 9:18pm
#1
sending 96/24 wirelessly from PC S/PDIF coaxial output to distant S/PDIF coaxial input
Loudspeakers Amplification | Digital Sources Analog Sources Featured | Accessories Music |
Columns Retired Columns & Blogs |
Loudspeakers Amplification Digital Sources | Analog Sources Accessories Featured | Music Columns Retired Columns | Show Reports | Features Latest News Community | Resources Subscriptions |
Sorry for the torment. I was trying to make it easier. :-)
I don't have any experience with this card, though M-Audio does make some other relatively good components. Does the card use ASIO drivers?
Not without something the Logitech Transporter, but then you wouldn't need the M-Audio card. Although iTunes 8 will playback hiirez files on the host computer, I don't think that Apple TV will handle the files. I know that the Airport Express won't do so. But a 20' run of S/PDIF should not present any problem other than the need to route and dress the cable. (On some of my live recordings, where I needed to place the A/D converters on-stage, I have run up to 100' of AES/EBU cable without problems.) Try using an inexpensive true 75-ohm RF cable like RG-59, and as the Benchmark has a BNC S/PDIF input, terminating the cable with BNC plugs won't be nearly as much of a hassle as doing so with RCAs. (You can use a BNC-RCA adaptor at the soundcard end.)
As S/PDIF is unbalanced, try if at all possible to make sure that the PC and the Benchmark share an AC mains ground. Hard to ensure when the two are in separate room, I know.)
John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile
Thanks for your response, JA. In the meantime, I came across this product: Western Digital WD TV HD Media Player
I need the 96/24 connection to play my large collection of private 96/24 recordings (which I store anyway on WD My Book external drives.) This device looks like it might do it - there are no specs on 96/24, but I don't see why it shouldn't deliver the wav files exactly as stored on the WD My Book external drives. If this is so, life has never been better - it's so simple it looks too good to be true.
Product description:
http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?driveid=572
Compatible Storage and other devices:
http://tinyurl.com/5hq42t
full user's guide:
http://www.wdc.com/en/library/um/4779-705014.pdf
http://tinyurl.com/69jd9j
Noam
I did it! I had the M-Audio Audiophile 192 64-Bit PCI Audio Interface installed in my new computer (it does use ASIO drivers.) I got an inexpensive true 75-ohm RF RG-59 cable and placed 75-ohm BNC-to-RCA "Video Adapters" on each end, as my Benchmark DAC1/Pre does not have a BNC S/PDIF input but an RCA one. I hooked up the computer's new S/PDIF coaxial output to the Benchmark's DAC1/Pre input and was able to play my private 96/24 recordings through the main playback setup on the main floor.
As to making sure that the PC and the Benchmark share an AC mains ground, I couldn't do that of course. I suspect that this is the reason that when the main floor's Benchmark's DAC1/Pre is playing the PC's files and I touch it, there is a fairly strong sparkle (it hurts). If I connect it instead to my older DAC1 (which does have a BNC S/PDIF input), the same thing happens and the red "Error" light flashes for a second. When I touch anything AFTER I touched the Benchmark thus wired there is an electrostatic discharge - I suppose the Benchmark (thus wired with improper grounding) charges me - can that be dangerous?
I usually burn my private 96/24 music files into DVD-A's using DiscWelder Bronze. I have been playing them either through a cheap and old Panasonic DVD player's Toslink S/PDIF output or through a Denon 2910 coaxial S/PDIF output into the Benchmark. The Denon's manual claims 96/24 output through it's S/PDIF output and the Panasonic doesn't claim anything. I have never been able to hear any difference between the 2, but I have always been tormented by the doubt that I may not be getting true 96/24 output through either one. (My playback: Benchmark DAC1 or DAC1/Pre>Channel Island monoblocks>PSB Synchrony one speakers [thank you, JA] in a room of generous proportions and acoustic - about 500 SF, 16' high ceilings, massive brick wall, wood floors, heavy carpets, heavy curtains, irregular shape, etc.)
So I was finally able to compare what I hope is really unadulterated 96/24 straight from my computer to my setup. I was not able to discern any difference and all my doubts are thus put to rest. I probably get 96/16 from my Panasonic and possibly also from my Denon, and it makes no difference.
A big thank you JA, I would not have been able to do this without your advice.
Noam
Noam,
You always could test the bit depth and Fs of the S/PDIF outputs of your Denon and Panasonic by connecting them to the digital input of the M-Audio card. Then you could really sleep soundly
Thanks for the idea! Once I connect them to the digital input of the M-Audio card what happens? Anything pops up? Do I have to load a program to check the bit depth and Fs of the S/PDIF outputs of my Denon and Panasonic?
thanks, Noam
I have no idea, it was a while ago I had an M-Audio card and I never recorded with it. The control panel app should tell you the Fs as soon as it locks on an incoming signal however to find out the bit depth you may have to record a sample, save it in a file and then analyse it. All the software you need should have come with the card, you just need to poke around in the manual a bit or maybe someone here with that card can give you a step-by-step. Please report back on your findings!
are you sure it's not just static electricity? We're in the dry indoor air season now, and in the winter I try to touch my steel equipment stand before I touch the stereo so I discharge the spark there and not directly to a component.