9y--504

[PeterSt]

Don't ask that question. Boleary will probably come over and do something to you.

[GerardA]

Well, he's welcome if he takes his hiface with him!

[PeterSt]

The worst response you could have had.

[GerardA]

Ha ha, and to make it worse for you I'll bring him to you for a visit!

[Josef]

I know it sounds trite, but I've never heard a digital source sound so analogue.

Was waiting until USB was supported for KS and had to try it especially after seeing this comment

So, just did a quick listen and indeed: KS does sound very different from WASAPI.
 
In fact, differences are far from subtle: it's like KS seems to bring more light and seems to create illusion of more space by bringing music forward, closer to listener.
In contrast, WASAPI appears further out, darker...

Taken all together, WASAPI seems somehow detached, almost mechanically (maniacally?) precise where in contrast KS shines a warm, transparent, glow and seems a bit more personal, intimate or, simply, softer ....
Difference is especially pronounced in higher frequencies, cymbals, high-hats or anything that makes sweeshy swooshy sounds - at least to me, KS makes them sound more 'sweet'...

Overall, difference between KS & WASAPI is not as big as, say, moving from foobar WASAPI to XX WASAPI which, in itself, is a huuuge structural leap, but is more like a change of character, a different personality: it's almost like Engine#4 is Engine #3's alter ego

Very, very interesting - it seems the choice between KS or WASAPI will depend on deep personal preferences or maybe even moods...

BTW Seems 504 still has some issues (after track has played in stealth mode I have to bring up GUI with Alt-X otherwise I get a bunch of 'No Track Given' or 'No permission to access <library folder>' messages, but nevermind, KS makes it worth a little trouble )

Cheers,
Josef

[GerardA]

Now the issue of tracks stopping is only there for the first track...
Compared eng#4 with DAP and without AP: Without sounds very good and coherent, with DAP I can not listen to it anymore! It sounds incoherent, like something is missing but difficult to explain, finally OS influence? Really not nice anymore.
When going back to engine#3 I have to restart to get the DAC to accept samplerate of 44. 88 don't work anymore. Maybe a restart of the PC will help? Tomorrow...

[boleary]

GerardA, not yet, as my Hiface has taken a rather long journey seeking a kernel streaming tuneup.....however, the update, based on what was emailed to me several weeks ago by m2tech, is supposed to have a wasapi driver, so maybe we will get an Engine 3 study done as well!

Okay back to 9y--504. Gave it another try this evening and both engines just don't sound as life-like (artist in your living room) to me. Rather they sound smeared and lacking that depth which makes you feel as though....the artist is in the room. Of course for all of you guys to experience this you'd have to go buy an msb gold link dac..........or trade me for yours! 

[PeterSt]

I guess I am getting crazy now, because it looks like the old means of "control" has to go in again. At least that is what this post is telling me : Re: 9y--504 DacMagic USB no sound.

By itself this is no problem, because I wanted that anyway (it *is* a real different means for SQ), but I couldn't get it to work. Now, that problem is relative, because the means from now appears not to work either (similarly "not", about the stops), so the whole thing has to be reviewed or whatever anyway.

May this be growing over my head ?
I still think it is worth it.