Inferno: Analog vs Digital Output?

Hi COB,
This is true, using SPDIF output bypasses the Inferno's DAC, which is only present in the analog signal path. As for this being an upgrade on sound quality, it depends on the quality of the DAC on your receiver/speakers.

I'm not sure what the specs are on the Z-5500's DAC, but the Inferno has a very high quality DAC, so the receiver/speaker DAC has to be extremely good to be a noticeable improvement.

In that case, I perceive the Logitech Z-5500 DAC better than the Inferno DAC... that, or I could have a faulty Inferno? Or, I don't have the Inferno setup correctly and/or bad drivers?

In the Sondigo Inferno control panel, my setup is:

System input:-
2CH

Output mode:-
Analogue output: 6 speakers, Digital Audio 192Khz
S/PDIF output: DTS Interactive

(I've been alternating between digital and analog to test the differences)

In (windows vista) control panel - sound - speakers (C-media Oxygen HD audio device) - Properties - Advanced, my options range from 16-bit 8000Hz through to 16bit 192000Hz. Shouldn't I be able to set it to 24bit, 192kHz (as specified in the specs of the card?). Is this a driver issue?

Further to this, with a previous driver, I was able to see two devices in the windows control panel: digital and an analog device. Should this still be the case, or are my current drivers correct in only seeing one device: speakers (C-media Oxygen HD audio device).

In my research, I found that the Logitech Z-5500 had a 44.1 kHz/16 bit DAC while the Inferno has a 24-bit/192kHz DAC. With that in mind, what is my best setup...

How should I proceed :)

If there's nothing discernably wrong with the Inferno's audio, you don't have a defective unit.

Also, which driver are you using?

I'm currently using the inferno_vista_20070416 drivers, as downloaded from the website.

I very much doubt I have a defective unit. It seems more software related (to an extent), although, I'm still unsure as to why I can't select 24-bit and 196KHz in the Windows Vista Sound Properties in Control Panel.

As aforementioned, I found that the Logitech Z-5500 has a 44.1 kHz/16 bit DAC whilst the Inferno has a 24-bit/192kHz DAC.

With those differences in mind, am I best off simply setting the Inferno to output an analog signal (thereby, using its higher quality DAC), or enable S/PDIF and effectively pass-through the audio to the Logitech DAC? (is that even correct?).

Consequently, should I keep my Inferno set to analog output at ALL times? Further to that, do I just adjust the 'System input' depending on what source the audio is coming from? (ie. mp3s to 2ch, DVDs to 6ch always?, and... when would I be sure to use 8ch?)

Additionally, when I have a DTS/DD source (ie. DVD), do I set the 'system input' to 6ch, and do I leave it on analog output, or is it paramount to enable S/PDIF (and set it to DTS or DD) to UTILISE THE DTS/DD SOUND FROM THE DVD?

Also, upon configuring my speaker setup to 5.1 channel (in Control Panel, Sound, Speakers (C-media Oxygen HD audio device), Configure), and subsequently changing the 'system input' in the Sondigo Inferno Control Panel to 2CH (for MP3s for example), I am unable to change it back to 6ch (for a DVD), however I CAN change it to 4ch and 8ch. This is most annoying.

Also, I still seem to have to 'wake the soundcard up' by toggling an 'environment effect' before (every time) opening a soundcard utilising application.

I hope you can answer all my questions, as I want to make sure I'm utilising my soundcard to the best of it's ability.

Specs wise, it looks like the Inferno does have the superior DAC, so for optimum sound quality you'll want to go analog out from the card. With that said, I am a firm believer going with the setup that best suits your ears.

Also, note that 16/24 bit doesn't make any difference if you're playing music. CDs (and mp3's derived from them) are only 16-bit anyways. I'm not sure why you're not getting the 24 bit output option, but it might not matter depending on what you're playing.

For DTS/DD sources, you might want to use the SPDIF output, unless your software DVD player has a multichannel decoder (most don't). This will allow you to get the full 5.1 soundtrack of the movie.

Hope that helps,
Aaron

Alright, thanks for your input Aaron. As I understand it, I should utilise the analog output of the inferno in all scenarios, including playing mp3s, games and dvds, unless the software (including games, some dvd apps), does not have a multichannel decoder, in which case I should use digital output.

I wonder whether you could help me with my other problems:

Upon configuring my speaker setup to 5.1 channel (in Control Panel, Sound, Speakers (C-media Oxygen HD audio device), Configure), and subsequently changing the 'system input' in the Sondigo Inferno Control Panel to 2CH (for MP3s for example), I am unable to change it back to 6ch (for a DVD), however I CAN change it to 4ch and 8ch. This is most annoying.

Also, I still seem to have to 'wake the soundcard up' by toggling an 'environment effect' before (every time) opening a soundcard utilising application.

Once again, for reference, I am using the inferno_vista_20070416 drivers.

That sounds right.

I'm not sure why 6CH doesn't work, but for DVDs 8CH input will work just as well- you just won't have anything in those extra two channels.

Also, your "waking the soundcard" thing is very strange. The card won't make any sound before you do this?

I'm also working on getting a new Inferno driver that will hopefully address these issues.

-Aaron

re: the "waking the soundcard"

say, i'm playing some music in winamp, or watching a dvd...

prior to toggling an environment effect, sound only plays through the front right, left, center and sub (regardless of the 'system input' being 2,4,6 or 8ch). also, dsp modes and equaliser settings won't activate.

it is only when i toggle an environment effect, that sound comes through all the channels, and dsp modes and eq settings are operational.

further to that, once i close winamp/dvd software, the soundcard "sleeps". i know this because, when i open winamp/dvd software again (after having closed it), the soundcard is "asleep" (that is, that the dsp, eq, surround left & right channels won't work), and it is only when i toggle an environment effect, that it starts operating properly... until i close winamp again :P

That's weird. Have you tried the new driver in the Inferno Support forum? It was just released today.

I've just installed the new driver, and now I can't "wake the soundcard up" at all. DSP, EQ, R+L surround channels won't work, even after toggling an environment effect.

This sounds like it could also be a hardware conflict. Have you tried the Inferno in a different PCI slot? What other PCI devices are installed in your PC?