Free 24 bit Flac downloads from B&W + how to get into the 7520 at 24/96 from a PC?

[sanchezxxx]

Hi All,

Just noticed free 24bit Flac downloads on the B&W site if you are interested in computer audio:
http://www.bowers-wilkins.co.uk/display.aspx?infid=3550

Sound great on media monkey through the 7520 even through USB in 16bit... Does anyone know the best way to get 24/96 into the dac from a PC running Windows? I'm thinking Squeezebox into the 7520 but there must be a cheaper solution that doesn't knock the output down to 16 bit like most USB solutions out there.

[leo]

A sound card with 24/96 S/PDIF output ?

[sanchezxxx]

Opps, forgot to say I am running a laptop. Most of the external USB soundcards or converters seem to only output in 16bit.

[leo]

Might be something similar to this available but cheaper cut down with say USB to S/PDIF minus all the other bits and pieces :confused: http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=2143

[tizer2000uk]

Use the digital output on your soundcard if you have one, there is currently no way of getting 96/24 through the current usb input on the 7520. If you dont have a digital out then buy a cheap X-Fi card (Xtreme Music) and set the console to Audio Creation Mode with bit perfect output.

Use Foobar and download the plugin to bypass the window mixer, this then gives you the opportunity to pass the 7520 an unmolested bit perfect stream.

I have tested the coax, digital and optical inputs and can confirm there are absolutely no differences in the sound on all three.

[SteveW]

Hi All,

Just noticed free 24bit Flac downloads on the B&W site if you are interested in computer audio:
http://www.bowers-wilkins.co.uk/display.aspx?infid=3550

Sound great on media monkey through the 7520 even through USB in 16bit... Does anyone know the best way to get 24/96 into the dac from a PC running Windows? I'm thinking Squeezebox into the 7520 but there must be a cheaper solution that doesn't knock the output down to 16 bit like most USB solutions out there.

Thanks for that. On impulse, I decided to subscribe. What the hell...I like Justin Adams and previous monthly downloads look good, so worth a punt.
First of all I've downloaded 24 bit FLAC. (I'm still interested in going down the Linn DS route eventually, so this is for future reference)..

Tried converting this file with Max to Apple Lossless...which didn't work :scratch: just a load of static n'noise.
So I've burnt the FLAC files to CD and this sounds amazing. As does playing the FLAC files through Cog.
Trouble is, when playing this audio CD back via itunes, it sounds awful. It sort of works...but awful.

Anyway..As a subscriber you can download twice...so now I'm downloadin the Apple Lossless file. Should make an interesting comparison.

[SteveW]

Good news from the B&W download site... they are now allowing subscribers to access previous issues. Up to now you just got whatever was released on a monthly basis.
Makes it top value now...especially the 24 bit files, and can heartily recommend an album by Tom Kerstan. Sounds fantastic.
Oh...and you can still download both the Apple Lossless and full FLAC file.

[jon1]

Hi All,

Just noticed free 24bit Flac downloads on the B&W site if you are interested in computer audio:
http://www.bowers-wilkins.co.uk/display.aspx?infid=3550

Sound great on media monkey through the 7520 even through USB in 16bit... Does anyone know the best way to get 24/96 into the dac from a PC running Windows? I'm thinking Squeezebox into the 7520 but there must be a cheaper solution that doesn't knock the output down to 16 bit like most USB solutions out there.


Try one of these http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/6-CH-5-1-optical-Controller-USB-Audio-Sound-Card-S-PDIF_W0QQitemZ300305407624QQihZ020QQcategoryZ75518 QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262 works great with the laptop


jon

[The Vinyl Adventure]

First of all I've downloaded 24 bit FLAC. (I'm still interested in going down the Linn DS route eventually, so this is for future reference)..

Hi res through the majik ds is mind blowing, well worth the investment!!