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253977
January 11th, 2016 14:00
Alienware Alpha: Max audio resolution via SPDIF.
Hi,
I recently bought an Alienware Alpha to be able to game on my TV, but also to replace my old PopcornHour media center.
It works great on both fronts except for one minor detail.
My Alpha is connected to a Rega DAC through SPDIF.
Some of my audio files are high res flacs (24 bits / 96 kHz or 24 bits / 192kHz). I installed the latest audio drivers from the Alienware site, but when I play those files in foobar2000 or Kodi, I can hear my music fine, but my DAC only detects a 16 bits / 44kHz input. It's as if the SPDIF audio is capped like HDMI audio.
Is this normal? I just want to make sur it is before I go out and buy an external audio card to get full audio resolution (With the added bonus of a headphone output indeed).
www.amazon.com/.../ref=cm_cr_pr_pdt_img_top
Thank you very much for any advice you might provide!
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Tesla1856
8 Wizard
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17.5K Posts
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January 11th, 2016 17:00
I can't help with the Alpha (because I've never had one in front of me), but as far as SPDIF goes ...
it's audio bandwidth (of non-bitstreamed PCM audio) is pretty low.
AFAIK, if any sound-card (USB or otherwise) is getting 5.1 PCM audio channels through a SPDIF cable, the audio has been down-sampled.
http://en.community.dell.com/owners-club/alienware/f/3746/t/19665199
I use Kodi, connected via HDMI to Onkyo 607 Amp. I can get any audio sent to Amp native (including full True-HD, DTS-MasterAudio, and all present channels of full-bandwidth Multi-Channel PCM audio).
Incompressible
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103 Posts
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January 12th, 2016 06:00
SPDIF is designed to transmit 44.1/48 kHz uncompressed PCM audio at up to 24 bits. Not sure it has the bandwidth to transmit 96/192 kHz audio - you'll probably need to use HDMI/USB for that.
BTW, in your Windows Sound properties for SPDIF you should check under the "Supported Formats" tab and make sure the 96/192 kHz options (if they exist) are checked in the "Sample Rates" section.
If your REGA DAC has USB input then use that instead and you should get full quality audio.
If buying an external card make sure its SPDIF out ports can handle 96/192 kHz.
Luc Desjardins
6 Posts
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January 12th, 2016 07:00
I'll check Window Sound Properties tonight.
Luc Desjardins
6 Posts
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January 12th, 2016 07:00
Hi!
I'm asking because with my old PopcorHour box I could hit 24 / 96 through SPDIF with no issues. Furthermore, wwhen I used the SPDIF from the TV instead of the PopcornHour, then it got capped to 16 / 44 (Using the HDMI signal coming from the PopcornHour).
When playing the same tracks on the Alienware through SPDIF, it also get capped to 16 / 44.
But I know SPDIF can transport at least 24 / 96; That's what I was doing before.
My Rega DAC only has SPDIF and Coax inputs.
I I only play stereo content, I have no 5.1 or 7.1 content. My amp and speakers are only stereo as well.
Luc Desjardins
6 Posts
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January 12th, 2016 08:00
Oh, I just realized I also have a USB input on my Rega DAC after all, so there's always this option.
Luc Desjardins
6 Posts
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January 13th, 2016 00:00
You were right Incomprehensible, the solution was under the "Supported Formats" tab. Only 48 Khz was checked, so I checked all the other resolutions including 96 and 192 and now it works.
I also installed the Realtek ALC3220 High Definition Audio Codecs package to make sure.
www.realtek.com.tw/.../downloadsView.aspx;PNid=24&PFid=24&Level=4&Conn=3&DownTypeID=3&GetDown=false
Thanks again for your help!
Incompressible
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103 Posts
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January 13th, 2016 06:00
Glad to help .. btw it's Incompressible not Incomprehensible [:D]
Luc Desjardins
6 Posts
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January 13th, 2016 08:00
Oops, I'll gladly blame my autocorrect then!