analog or digital output ,windows

Report · Jul 27, 2017

hi

on windows 10 or 7 audio preferences i can see in play mode analog and digital

i have tried several laptop and dekstop (with exansive motherboard) they have realtek audio card on board

in playmode i can see speaker and digital output

i can select digital output but i can hear nothing

should i use an extra cable or a digital headphone?

thanks

Report · Jul 27, 2017

The only digital output that's provided for audio as a rule is S/PDIF and it's generally only on desktop machines. You can only use this with a device having a S'PDIF input. For virtually all purposes this isn't applicable, and you use the analiog system and the realtek device, or a completely separate sound device which bypasses all of the internal stuff completely.

Report · Jul 27, 2017

Occasionally the 'digital' output can refer to audio sent over the HDMI video out connector to get sound on your HDMI equipped TV/monitor.

Report · Jul 27, 2017

hi

in this case ,the monitor should have a line out for headphone?

i haven't seen eizo or nec monitor with line out

thanks ryclarck!

Report · Jul 27, 2017

Ideally a separate external USB audio interface is usually better since all the electronics for amplifying the audio, particularly mic preamps, are kept out of the places where digital hash from computer power supplies and processing chips may cause interference.

Report · Jul 27, 2017

hi

i have watched these desktop and they have only 3 rear

one line out output one line in and one for a mic and 2 infront headphone and mic but not S/PDIF

on the asus homepage i download the manual and the realtek manual

i can find

All DACs supports 16/20/24-bit, 44.1k/48k/96k/192kHz sample rate
All ADCs supports 16/20/24-btt, 44.1k/48k/96k/192kHz sample rate
One SPDIF-IN converter supports 44.1k/48k/96k/192k Hz sample rate

but there is no SPDIF-IN on the motherboard

may i ask you 2 questions?

All DACs supports 16/20/24-bit, 44.1k/48k/96k/192kHz sample rate

1) what does it mean ? that i can record/play via line in @ 24bit & 192kHz ? just curiosity

2) to improve the overall output audio quality for example even only to listen music is better add a separate audio card in the desktop or an external usb audio card

thanks SteveG

Report · Jul 27, 2017

Giovannivolontè wrote

may i ask you 2 questions?

All DACs supports 16/20/24-bit, 44.1k/48k/96k/192kHz sample rate

1) what does it mean ? that i can record/play via line in @ 24bit & 192kHz ? just curiosity

2) to improve the overall output audio quality for example even only to listen music is better add a separate audio card in the desktop or an external usb audio card

1) In theory it does - but with Realtek internal sound devices, it gives you absolutely no benefit whatsoever, as the electronics following it is pf a pretty inferior design, and the whole thing is in a noisy environment.

2) Yes, In a desktop, there are a few cards that actually take account of the environment and don't sound too bad at all - way better than the internal Realtek thing that's only really meant for telephone calls. Generally the best performance comes from completely external USB boxes though.

Report · Jul 27, 2017

2) Yes, In a desktop, there are a few cards that actually take account of the environment and don't sound too bad at all - way better than the internal Realtek thing that's only really meant for telephone calls. Generally the best performance comes from completely external USB boxes though.

hi SteveG

i have searched for a good external usb ,with a line out to connect to my densen ,what do you think about Creative Sound Blaster Omni ?

ICUSBAUDIO2D USB doesn't have an analog line out or ASUS Sound Card Xonar U5

i don't play games, i want a good/better analog output quality for my amply , headphones and line in

seems asus sound card xonar u5 could be a good choise? or could you direct in the right way

thanks SteveG

Report · Jul 28, 2017

Giovannivolontè wrote
2) Yes, In a desktop, there are a few cards that actually take account of the environment and don't sound too bad at all - way better than the internal Realtek thing that's only really meant for telephone calls. Generally the best performance comes from completely external USB boxes though.
hi SteveG
i have searched for a good external usb ,with a line out to connect to my densen ,what do you think about Creative Sound Blaster Omni ?

ROTFLMAO! Don't touch anything Creative Labs make with a disinfected bargepole!

If you look back through historical posts on the forum, you'll find out why.

I could give you a much better idea of what to look for if you gave an indication of how much you're prepared to pay for one.

Report · Jul 28, 2017

Hi SteveG

I could give you a much better idea of what to look for if you gave an indication of how much you're prepared to pay for one.

honestly i don't know now just because i don't know how better they will sound (mostly to listen music) and in many forum they compare realtek and other audio card and they found performing the same, internet is full of people that brocast videos on your tube or write on forum

when i buy an headphone i try always with a cd i know perfectly before buying for example

l trust of you , let 's tell me the best at the lower price , after i got an idea , i can valutate the more expensive (seeing i have looked for on the net i found webpage about the best card and i trust of you , above quote the best in several webpage

Don't touch anything Creative Labs make with a disinfected bargepole!

i live in europe so , a product i can find easly

thanks SteveG

Report · Jul 28, 2017

You haven't said what you would like in the way of inputs - but if you want a good budget device with a decent headphone socket, then have a look at the

Focusrite Scarlett Solo (2nd gen) USB / PC Interface, or if you want a slightly more flexible input arrangement, then the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 [2nd Gen] USB 2.0 Audio Interface (costs slightly more, but gives you either two mics, or a stereo line input).

These are way better than anything Creative Labs make, as much because they don't install loads of bloatware onto your system as for any other reason. The real problem with all of the Creative Labs stuff is that it's meant for gamers, and they've done loads of dodgy things with resampling to achieve their specified performance claims. They've even been taken to court over it in the past.

There are loads of other options too - but those I don't know so much about. The Behringer products are cheap, but in the past we've never been that happy with their hardware, as it's not exactly robust - especially over things like sockets... but they are another possibility if you are careful. By and large, you get what you pay for, but the sort of price point the Focusrites are at represents a good compromise between junk that only lasts five minutes, and paying a fortune.

Report · Jul 28, 2017

Loads of similar from Roland, Tascam, Steinberg, PreSonus etc. Look online for your local music store such as Bax Music or Thomann if you are in Europe.

Report · Jul 28, 2017

hi

about these 2 Focusrite devices , i can buy on of them ,they cost here from 99€ to 130€

You haven't said what you would like in the way of inputs - but if you want a good budget device with a decent headphone socket, then have a look at the

sorry about it

i want mostly to listen music so Analog plus digital line out to connect to my amply (i have 4 amplys even many New marants amply don't have digital lin in ) ,and headphones

about line in it's less important because many devices use usb

i don't record music so i don't want record guitar or other struments , the vionyl record was mostly a favor to a friend , in short i record audio seldom

about Behringer UFO202 could be nice just because it's compact but it misses digital out even other products misses of digital output

even Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 doesn't have a digital output ,if i'm right

thanks SteveG

Report · Jul 29, 2017

If you only want line in and out together with digital in/outs then the ESI U24 XL is pretty decent. Small, compact and USB powered.

http://www.esi-audio.com/products/u24xl/

Although I wouldn't really want to rely on USB microphones for live recording. As you have found they have their drawbacks. But USB infaces with mic inputs and digital connection don't seem to be plentiful at this price range unfortunately.

Report · Jul 29, 2017

hi ryclark

seems a nice product ,and there is even an headphone in @ output L

do you know ESI U24 XL ? have you tested?

sadly i can't test them, i have been today in several hi end hi-fi ,haven't found any device for desktops

i will wait for @SteveG and i will take the decision to buy

thanks

Report · Jul 29, 2017

Yes I have one used on this very computer for Audition and all my audio/video playback.

Hi-fi shops won't have them. You need a music store that sells instruments, keyboards, sound systems etc. and recording gear.

Report · Jul 29, 2017

ESI had a slightly ropy start about ten years ago (mainly with drivers) but they seem to have got over that, and are now producing value-for-money devices, which seem to function fine. When it comes to S/PDIF output though, you're only really using the device as a digital interface, so it hardly matters how well the converters work!

Report · Jul 29, 2017

hi

i'm just a bit confused about Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 & ESI

i'm thinking about Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 [2nd Gen] (i read really great review about it ) but it doesn't include digital output ,seems more focused to record music then connect to my hi fi and headphone

i'm just looking for a device focused at 90% to improve line out , digital output and headphone

SteveG just last question , if you want to improve your build in audio card , and you look for an usb device focused to 90% improve line out to connect to your hifi to listen music / headphones , and maybe with a digital output , what would you buy ?

thanks

Report · Jul 30, 2017

Giovannivolontè wrote
SteveG just last question , if you want to improve your build in audio card , and you look for an usb device focused to 90% improve line out to connect to your hifi to listen music / headphones , and maybe with a digital output , what would you buy ?
thanks

The first thing you have to understand is that if you already have a digital output on your motherboard, then that's as good as it gets - nothing that happens in an external box is going to improve on it. So I wouldn't bother with that, personally. I do actually have a USB device that provides an excellent output facility, and a very good headphone driver, but its primary purpose is as a recording device; it has two world-class mic preamps in it, and it's essentially portable. This, unfortunately for you, makes it rather expensive...

https://www.sounddevices.com/products/mixers/mixpred

The good news though is that Sound Devices do a box that does exactly what you want, including the S/PDIF (albeit that it still has mic preamps) and that's this one:

https://www.sounddevices.com/products/portable-audio-tools/usbpre2

The even better news is that it's a little cheaper - but not that much...

Well, you asked!

Report · Jul 30, 2017

SteveG about Sound Devices USBPre 2 USB ,it's too much expansive it's around 1.500€

i haven't a digital output on my desktop

I do actually have a USB device that provides an excellent output facility, and a very good headphone driver, but its primary purpose is as a recording device

are you talking about Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 ?

i hope the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 has a very good line out to connect to my amply

if you are talking about Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 ,i will buy it

Report · Jul 30, 2017

It is very likely that your PC motherboard does actually have a digital output available as part of the Realtek chipset. But it may not just be connected to a suitable socket on the back of your PC. What motherboard is it as we may be able to help you identify the connection on it. You can buy just the digital output plate for the back of PCs that provide both SPDIF as a RCA socket and a Toslink optical out.

SPDIF Bracket: Computers/Tablets & Networking | eBay

Report · Aug 01, 2017

ryclark SteveG(AudioMasters)

hi guys

i guess i will buy FiiO E10K "OLYMPUS 2" DAC USB

can't find a good review about it , but i found a store that sells and i will ask if they give it for a test

hope it's a good device

thanks

Report · Aug 02, 2017

Giovannivolontè wrote
i guess i will buy FiiO E10K "OLYMPUS 2" DAC USB
can't find a good review about it , but i found a store that sells and i will ask if they give it for a test

On the face of it, it looks fine as a playback-only device. Some user reviews here:

https://www.headphone.com/products/fiio-e10k-olympus-2