Idiots guide to using a DAC with USB

[supapeet]

I have a Topping D90MQA DAC. I would like to connect my laptop or iPad to the DAC via USB to play High Res and MQA files.

Laptop - do I have to download any particular drivers to the laptop because at the moment the sound only comes out of the laptop and not the speakers. I’ve looked in settings on the laptop but not really familiar with how this works. I’m using Windows 8.1 software

iPad - I understand I will probably need an Apple camera connector kit with a USB port that I can also power up through a separate Apple lightning conductor

Any help or comments greatly appreciated

[struth]

laptop, right click the speaker icon at bottom right and then click; open sound settings... then change sound output to the topping dac

[Filterlab]

As you’re using Windows you will need the right driver for your Topping D90...

http://www.tpdz.net/download

Once installed, follow the instructions above.
_

On the iPad, Apple do a USB adapter with Lightning port for power...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01DGDNL2G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_0ZqzFbA8AZ2DN

Apple devices don’t require drivers for USB devices.

[supapeet]

Thanks for the help so far. I bought the adapter today but haven’t tried it yet. To use the laptop I have to download the drivers but my laptop only has Microsoft 8.1 and I need version 10. Still a work in progress, will try the adaptor now.

[supapeet]

Ok, making progress with iPad.

The DAC is connected with a USB cable into the USB 3 adapter which is powered with a lighting connector. I have opened the Tidal app and played an MQA file which shows as a Master on the app but on the DAC the sampling rate shows 44.1 kHz and I would have expected at least 96kHz.

Any ideas why this is?

[Filterlab]

V4.86 works on Windows 7 and above.

http://www.tpdz.net/newsinfo/435189.html

[Filterlab]

Ok, making progress with iPad.

The DAC is connected with a USB cable into the USB 3 adapter which is powered with a lighting connector. I have opened the Tidal app and played an MQA file which shows as a Master on the app but on the DAC the sampling rate shows 44.1 kHz and I would have expected at least 96kHz.

Any ideas why this is?

Is your Tidal subscription the ‘Hi-Fi’ variant?

[supapeet]

Yes it is

[Filterlab]

Have you set the streaming settings to Hi-Fi/Master?

In Audio > Device > Renderer Only

Then

Advanced > MQA Core Decoder > Yes

[supapeet]

I’ve set the settings to Master in my collection but I can’t find the menus you suggest up there which is probably the issue.

[Filterlab]

Looks like the menu has changed...

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dWvXK9AP6yTA2iaiMqzTtd-1200-80.jpg

[supapeet]

I’ve seen that menu. I access Tidal through my iPad. I don’t use the app because that menu doesn’t appear. I sign in to Tidal and Incan see that page but against Master it won’t allow me to check it as it says I need to use the Tidal desktop application. I click on that but it won’t download in IOS so I can’t get any further forward.

I can select Masters Quality Audio in the app, but the screen is different and it still only plays some files at the lower sampling rate. I have put an email into Tidal support and hopefully they can help. Thanks for your support so far

[supapeet]

I’ve gone back to the laptop. I downloaded the drivers that are for Microsoft and above and now get playback through the DAC and speakers, result. I downloaded Tidal again, logged in and selected Masters. On the DAC when I play a masters file it shows MQA in the top right hand corner, however, it still only shows sample rate as 44.1kHz.

Is this right ?

[technobear]

<snip> I’m using Windows 8.1 software <snip>

To upgrade for free to Windows 10, go to:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10

Download the media creation tool and use it to create installation media
in case you need to do it more than once.

A USB stick of big enough capacity (at least 8GB) is easier than DVDs.

[supapeet]

To upgrade for free to Windows 10, go to:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10

Download the media creation tool and use it to create installation media
in case you need to do it more than once.

A USB stick of big enough capacity (at least 8GB) is easier than DVDs.

Thanks will do, although I have Tidal working through my DAC now on Windows 8.1. I’m impressed with the Topping D90 MQA it’s performing better than the MDac+ in my opinion


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[supapeet]

I’ve got Tidal working through the laptop and iPad now. Some Masters files play in 44kHz, some in 96 and one earlier in 192 so I assume this is something I should expect as not all the masters files are available at the same sampling rate. Some shows as MQA and others as not.

I have the free trial version of Qobuz for now but I am going to stay with my Tidal subscription.

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions and comments.


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