Important notice for audiophiles with IDT sound cards

Hey forks

I was just experimenting with some drivers and found something interesting. Default Hight Definition drivers from microsoft deliver an absolute clean an uncolored sound.

Yes, IDT drivers somehow modify the equalization providing more bass, even when natural bass is disabled in the control panel. I can assure you this because I'm running my sound with studio monitors.

So if you happen to be an audiophile who enjoys sound quality give it a shot.

Post your results. Regards !

 

any chance of getting o'scope tracings from a controlled experiment?

The IDT drivers all come with EQ presets, most of which are awful and intended to try and make cheap speakers sound better. It's easy to set the EQ defaults flat for IDT sound.

 

I don't have an osciloscope. Even with presets all flat, the IDT driver somehow modifies the output.

Default windows hd driver is pure flat.

 

It modifies the sound when you let it to. I don't have a scope either but i have a very fine ear, and i can tell between EQ and no EQ. You haven't found the settings yet, but the IDT driver can be gotten flat.

Besides, audiophiles don't use onboard sound, period.

 

Indeed I have. I found all the settings. A different driver can have a different sound handling and coloration. That's a given proved by be.

 

It's only proven by your impression of your ears. Not very scientific.

 

Using this monitors is enough.
If you still refuse to believe me, I can't do anything about it.

 

Not disputing what your ears hear.

Just questioning your conclusions based on a single sample/experience without defining all of the variables.

It's not important info for audiophiles, it's the experience of one user.

If you want to read up on how much people really thrash this issue around, look up some of the pc codec/hardware threads on AVS Forums

http://www.avsforum.com/

 

Yeah i was gonna mention AVS too, i have an account there, i'm usually active in the CRT displays and DIY speakers forums. Those guys can debate over almost anything if that's the case, but they do have some very experienced system builders/calibrators on the forum, so anyone looking for advice on their sound or video gets the answers they were looking for.

Anyway, we want proof, so here's what you have to do. Get a line in cable with 3.5mm jacks at both ends. Plug one end into the headphone socket, the other one into the microphone jack (the mic jack is a combined line/mic input). Lower the microphone volume to about 10 and disable any boost, so that the signal isn't overpowering the input. Download RightMark Audio Analyzer, calibrate levels as required, then do the frequency response tests for both drivers, and post the graphs. Then we will see if you are right or not.

Besides, you don't buy studio monitors to hook them up to a laptop's onboard sound, instead you get a USB or Firewire soundcard from a reputable manufacturer such as M-Audio, and use that for studio work. When you have to go studio quality, don't cheap out on the sound source.