+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: Caiman Question - Inputs, Oversampling and Outputs

  1. #1
    Join Date: Aug 2009

    Location: New Zealand

    Posts: 27

    Default Caiman Question - Inputs, Oversampling and Outputs

    Looking for someone to explain the Caiman specifications in terms of inputs, oversampling and output. The reason I ask is I'm using two methods of streaming music files to the Caiman, 1) Squeezebox 3 (max 48khz/24 bit) which is Coaxial connected and 2) Laptop running CMP/Cplay and optically connected to the Caiman. With Cplay I can have the Laptop up-sample using SOX or SRC up to 192khz/24 bit. I'm trying to understand should I let the Laptop up-sample or should I let the Caiman over-sample my streamed music to avoid multiple "samplings" happening in the audio chain.

    i.e if I have a 44.1kHz/16 bit FLAC file through optical/coaxial or USB into the Caiman is the unit oversampling to 192kHz/24bit as analogue out courtesy of the WM8716 - 64x, 192KHz oversampling DAC chip built into the Caiman.

    i.e if I have a 96kHz/24 bit FLAC file through optical or coaxial is that being oversampled to 192kHz/24

    .i.e if I have a 96kHz/24 bit FLAC file through USB is that being downsampled by the PCM2902 USB chip in the Caiman then oversampled to 192kHz/24 by the WM8716-64x DAC chip in the Caiman

    i.e if I have a 192kHz/24 FLAC file through optical or coaxial is that being down sampled to 96kHz/24 bit by the input chips then oversampled to 192kHz/24 by the WM8716-64x DAC chip in the Caiman.

    I notice that the instruction sheets that came with the Caiman is titled "2 channel 24Bit/96kHz Audio Digital to Analogue Converter. Is the reference to 24Bit/96kHz for the max resolution for coaxial/optical input or the max resolution output?

    If I've not confused people with the above trust someone can explain this to me

    Cheers
    frizzup

  2. #2
    Join Date: Feb 2008

    Location: http://www.homehifi.co.uk

    Posts: 6,288

    Default

    The 24Bit/96KHz refers to the maximum incoming sigal on the coax and toslink.
    Stay well clear of any upsampling. Let the DAC do its own thing.

  3. #3
    Join Date: Jul 2009

    Location: Hailing from sunny south east London

    Posts: 111

    Default

    Sorry for a thread necro, but the question is related.

    Can the Caiman handle 192/24 over S/PDIF coax? I know optical won't do more than 96/24.
    The WM8716 will do it, but has it been implemented?

    Cheers.
    Tom
    AKG K701, TC-7520 HPA/DAC, Yamaha RX-V396RDS, Some awful speakers

  4. #4
    Join Date: Sep 2009

    Location: France

    Posts: 3,209
    I'm notAlone.

    Default

    It's not a problem of D/A converter implementation, it has to do with the S/PDIF receiver's limits.
    The optical and coax inputs use the same S/PDIF receiver, imho.
    Dimitri.

    In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.
    George Orwell

  5. #5
    Join Date: Jul 2009

    Location: Hailing from sunny south east London

    Posts: 111

    Default

    Righto, thanks!
    Tom
    AKG K701, TC-7520 HPA/DAC, Yamaha RX-V396RDS, Some awful speakers

+ Reply to Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •