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SMSL M8

Audiophile

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SMSL M8

Yakov

1420

Nov 23, 2015

150 bucks is a steal for one of these.

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dabl

Nov 23, 2015

YakovI'm interested in using the M8 with a Lenovo Thinkpad X1 3rd gen via usb running Windows 10 and Fooobar feeding Audioengine A2+ speakers via the analog outs from the M8.
For this setup is there a way to use the M8 configured for Foobar (WASAPI etc) with the foobar volume set to 100% and still manipulate the sound volume via the Windows volume control?
I'm currently using this setup feeding the Audioengine speakers via usb and this seems to work fine, ie the Foobar (using WASPI) volume control remains at 100% independent of the windows volume control which controls the overall sound volume etc. With this setup I'm using a Foobar conversion plugin to dither down for playing 24bit PCM and .iso DSD files.
I'm also very interested in tips for using the M8 with Foobar per above and playing both PCM and DSD files. I've read saved all the bits about configuration in the head-fi.org thread and it sounds like there is but I just wanted to confirm there's a Foobar configuration that allows this to happen without having to switch settings around.
Thanks for any comments/pointers.

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airjames

Nov 26, 2015

dablI have the M8 running on multiple Windows 10 devices(tried Windows 8 and 7 as well w/ automatic driver installation). Using the USB cable will autodetect and you might need to default to the device for playback on first setup. I'd set to a higher bitrate in properties if needed. The Windows volume control can be used. I like to set it to 48 when used w/ my Bravo V3 and Monoprice amps. (Tidal/foobar etc. have separate in-app controls). When plugging headphones directly into the M8 DAC via a Male RCA to Female 3.5mm adapter , I set it to 70 in Windows 10.
I got it to play DSD 16/24bit files but it doesn't show DSD on the SMSL M8 screen though. I may have to run the following page again. http://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/info/hi-res-guide/s-m-s-l-m8-reach-up-to-32-bit-384177528 For PCM flac files I've played on a MAC at 384KHz (which everything seems to be at) and on a PC at 192KHz which is set via Windows Properties. I haven't had the M8 very long so I can't tell you much more than that thus far sorry. Anybody got any tips?

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bwcgrx

Nov 26, 2015

dablI've not tested Windows 10 however under Windows 8.1 in my experience yes you can manipulate the output level of the M8's analog outputs using either the Foobar or Windows master volume. If you use the Windows master volume control the Foobar volume is unaffected. I don't think there would be a major difference between Win 10 and Win 8.1, however with Microsoft you never know.
You can play back PCM and DSD without having to make any software changes to facilitate the switch. Keep in mind however that if you want to keep DSD decoding native you will have to use the Foo DSD ASIO driver as opposed to WASAPI. If you want to use WASAPI DSD material will need to be converted to PCM.

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bamyasi

Nov 26, 2015

airjamesI ran into a similar playback issue with DSD under Linux using KODI. I found that JRiver Media Center works great for DSD and everything else. They have a free trial and it seems to be a solid suite. Far more developed for Windows. I'd say, however, that Microsoft hasn't made it easy for those who want to enjoy high resolution audio with a clean signal path.

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grinny

Nov 29, 2015

airjamesHey, I was wondering if M8 alone can feed my Fidelio X2s? What's your headphones that you connect directly to M8?

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bamyasi

Nov 30, 2015

grinnyNo headphones, just a DAC.

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grinny

Dec 2, 2015

bamyasiWell I know that but, I asked because he said these words in his comment; "When plugging headphones directly into the M8 DAC via a Male RCA to Female 3.5mm adapter , I set it to 70 in Windows 10."

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bamyasi

Dec 5, 2015

grinnyAhhh!!! Now I get it!! I'm going to try it with my Harmon Kardon CL's as soon a I get the adaptor. Thanks!!

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xzlk

Dec 27, 2015

bamyasibamyasi, I have not used Windows in so long that I almost forgot how (dual boot). If you don't mind getting the crayons out I need some help. I am basically audio ignorant, i.e. I drop a file (flac or wav) into VLC and hit play. Purchased the M8 to force myself into getting educated, plus other reasons. A lot to learn. I have more than one machine. I am currently running UBUNTU 14.04 and Linux Mint 17 Mate and also one that I can dual boot into Windows 7 or Ubuntu. Didn't see KODI on any of the software centres. Looked it up on the web, but only saw windowz and mac versions? Do you have a link you would not mind providing? ( I did see the JRiver Media Center tip you provided, but one thing at a time. I am a little terminology saturated right now, but I am getting there.) Booted up in Windoz 7 and installed the M8 Xmos driver 3037. That is as far as I got. I am obviously missing something. Not sure how to get the computer to send the file to the USB port that the M8 is connected to. Once I understand how the system works for windoz , then I will adapt (or more likely bug somebody) to get it working using Linux, but in the mean time have you got any links or suggestions that would help me get this working. P.S. I picked on you because you are the only one that have mentioned that you use Linux...Bravo! If you can help great, if not that's fine. It takes time to responds to these types of questions and I do understand time. Thanks

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OKOK

Dec 28, 2015

xzlkNot sure about VLC or Jriver, but for Foobar you can try this link: http://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/info/hi-res-guide/s-m-s-l-m8-reach-up-to-32-bit-384177528.
Hope this helps.

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xzlk

Jan 7, 2016

OKOKYes and thanks for taking the time to answer.

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