Aqvox Sound Cards & Media Devices Driver Download For Windows 10

Aqvox audio equipment models on Audiogon, the High-end Audio Community. This results in a more open, transparent sound, tighter bass and a generally more 'musical' sound. Anyhow - AQVOX means it sounds better without Upsampling - so set on BYPASS. True balanced circuitry for entire analog signal path.

Pink Faun I2S Bridge

The Perfect digital interface?

[Italian version]

Product name: I2S Bridge
Manufacturer: Pink Faun - The Netherlands
Retail Price: €275 (Currency conversion)
(YMMV)
Reviewer: Mike Cox - TNT UK
Reviewed: June, 2014

Introduction

When the separate digital to analogue converter first appeared on the market the intention was to use it as an upgrade for a CD player. The input channels were mostly limited to SPDIF and TosLink, coaxial and optical.A while later people realised connecting the DAC to a PC so all the music could be stored, searched and then played, was a good thing. Some computers came fitted with SPDIF or Toslink outputs though they seemed to have not been widely used.The best in my experience has been the optical output on an Apple MAC.

A little while later, DAC manufacturers started fitting a USB input at which point computer based audio seemed to take off. USB was never designed for high quality audio data transfer. USB was just intended as a cheap way of connecting devices such as printers and external hard drives.The USB interface has evolved and is now on version 3 which is much faster and, as far as I am aware, is still not designed for audio use. With care, USB does provide a convenient and functional interface for audio, though in my experience it is very sensitive to the components involved.For a while, I have been using a MacBook Pro feeding data to my La Voce DAC. I used a Furutech USB cable and thought all was fine. I then tried the Chord Silver Plus which had good reviews and it would not work, the sound was heavily distorted.I then added a separate USB power supply and the problems went away, I could now use any cable I liked. Finally I added an iFI iPurifier at the DAC end of the USB cable, this seems to have cleaned up the sound a little.

This got me thinking that perhaps USB is really not the ideal computer to DAC interface. About the same time TNT-Audio was contacted by the Pink Faun team with the offer to review the I2S bridge.Fortunately my DAC does have I2S as an input using an RJ45 connector. The connection standard as prescribed by Pink Faun is HDMI. The team at Pink Faun were kind enough to make a special cable for me with HDMI at one end and the RJ45 connector at the other to fit the La Voce DAC.

The Manufacturer's Explanation

All audio digital-analog converters (DACs) receive their data inthe I2S format. This is true for DACs with USB or S/PDIF inputsbecause the receiver chip converts the signal to I2S. With the I2Sbridge, Pink Faun gives you a direct connection between acomputer-based streamer and a DAC without any signal conversion. Anyform of encoding / decoding that is applicable to other formats, suchas USB, S/PDIF or Firewire, is a thing of the past, and sound qualityis considerably improved. The Pink Faun I2S bridge is a PCI Expressplug-and-play card. Pink Faun has chosen the Windows platform for theI2S bridge. Windows, as the most widely used operating system, offersa wide range of software packages for high-quality streaming, wherethe Pink Faun I2S bridge allows bit perfect transfer of audio media.

The I2S bridge is available in a 2-channel stereo and an up to8-channel multi-channel versions. The maximum resolution supportedis 32bit/192kHz on all channels. This allows the Pink Faun I2S bridgeto be the next-step in streaming your favorite music as well asgiving movie lovers a unprecedented and incredibly realistic audioexperience. Surround sound via the SPDIF format (encoded signaltransfer) is from now an outdated technique. By making use of the I2Sformat using the I2S bridge you can transfer surround sound withoutany conversion, direct to the DACs via high speed buffers.

Aqvox Sound Cards & Media Devices Driver Download For Windows 10 Windows 7

The Pink Faun I2S bridge is based on a C-media multi-channelHD audio processor with a separate power supply, equipped withpassive and active regulation. A TCXO clock with its own dedicatedpower supply provides a highly accurate master clock signal for theIC. HDMI cables are used for transfer of the I2S signal between thestreamer and DAC. The I2S signal is also buffered with very fast lowimpedance line drivers. All capacitors used on the Pink Faun I2Sbridge are high quality low ESR types. They are used in parallel foran even faster and cleaner power supply. The Pink Faun I2S bridge hasits own power connector, so a supply from the motherboard is notnecessary. Also the I2S bridge is equipped with capacitors thatfilter the PCI power supply lines, improving the computer's powersupply.

Installation & Configuration

To use the I2S bridge a Windows PC running Windows 8.1 is preferred, although Windows 7 is also acceptable. I did not have a Windows PC to the right specification so I assembled one to the specification from the supplier. The motherboard is a Marshalltown Mini ITXwith an mSata drive for the OS. The preferred configuration is for the music to be stored on a network storage device (NAS), something I have intended to do for a while. I used a cheap 3Tb NAS from Western Digital. The WD My Book Live is not particularly fast compared with the competition but seems fast enough.I did discover it was necessary to turn off all the cloud connectivity that allows you to access the drive remotely. With the cloud connectivity enabled the network performance dropped to the point it was unusable for audio streaming.

The assembly and installation of the OS was simple enough. I strongly recommend Windows 8.1 over 8.0. Windows 8.1 takes up far less disk space and seems faster than the 8.0 release.Fitting the I2S Bridge after installing the OS is very easy and needs no drivers so the system was up and running very quickly. You could load on some music and start playing using Windows Media Player. The standard media player used by Pink Faun is JRiver Media Centre. The I2S bridge is compatible with all other players on Windows such as Foobar, XBMC, Jplay, iTunes, VLC etc. This is my first experience of using JRiver. Until this review I have been using Pure Music with the iTunes for the user interface on an Apple MacBook Pro.

Downloading and installing JRiver was was simple. The instructions supplied with the bridge making the setup straight forward.

Now that the basics were completed, all I needed to do was update the setting in JRiver to point it at the NAS and the folder containing the music.Once the basic setup is done there is a utility supplied with the bridge that you run to optimise the PC configuration. If you use the PC for other tasks you will find the configuration utility has disabled some parts of the OS not used for playing music so you will need to run another utility to return the setup back to the regular settings.

Whilst none of the installation and configuration is difficult, it does take time and a little care. The instructions supplied with the Bridge are perfectly adequate, even those in Dutch, as there are lots of screen shots. If you are not confident building and configuring your own PC the teamat TripleMAudio can sell you the PC including the ideal linear power supply.

I started out using a switched mode 12v power supply for the PC then changed to a 12v linear as recommended.The setup now has no switched mode power supplies on the same circuit with the rest of the audio equipment.Finally, I made a couple of setup changes to the Windows 8.1 operating system. Firstly I made the system boot up without the new 'Metro' interface. I also setup JRiver to run on system startup. Finally I managed, with some help from YouTube videos, to disable the login screen. The system now needs no monitor as it starts up without any prompts and loads JRiver.

File Formats

The JRiver media centre supports most file formats for the audio files. I started by copying my existing music files from my MacBook Pro on to the NAS.This library consists mostly of Apple lossless files with a few high resolution FLAC recordings. To help me add new CDs to the NAS I setup iTunes on my regular Mac to rip the files straight to the NAS.With this setup the music played nicely and it was easy to add new CDs. Pink Faun recommend using WAV format files ripped to 32 not 16bit, retaining the original sampling rate of 44.1Khz.To rip CDs to 32bit WAVs I needed a new ripping application. CD Ripper from dBpoweramp is the recommended solution.This application is only available for Windows PCs which meant installing on my new PC and, as this PC had no optical drive, I used a USB device. The only issue, which is obvious when you think about it, is the size of the resulting audio files. The 32 bit 44.1Khz files about twice the size of a regular 16bit WAVs.

After ripping a selection of my CD library to evaluate, I compared the result with the files from my regular library. The ripping process is easy and the technology used to determine the meta data for the CDs is excellent.It always found the correct track listing and CD artwork which is more than can be said for some ripping applications, especially on Linux.It was easy to switch between the two recording formats with only a few seconds delay. If I was starting out from the beginning, I would definitely use a PC with CD Ripper to generate my library in WAV files in 32 bit format. These larger WAV files seem to play with a quieter background, the sound stage seems slightly wider and with greater sense of height. As I have no intention of ripping my library again as it would take too long and I don't have enough disk space, this review was completed listening to my regular library.

Playing the Music

My reference for evaluating the I2S Bridge is my regular La Voce DAC fed data either from the I2S bridge or via USB from my MacBook Pro. To help the USB interface, I used an AQVox USB power supply and iFI iPurifier. The rest of the system consists of an MFA classic pre-amp followed by a restored Leak ST50 power amplifier and finally the Superioro single full range driver speakers on their dedicated stands.For me computer based music streaming has finally come of age. Connecting up the I2S device is simple and the impact on the sound quality profound, although difficult to explain.One of my reference pieces of music is the Allegri Miserere, regular readers will have seen me reference it many times. This recording has a wonderful if slightly hazy ambience, it is hard to localise the singers in the sound stage.With the I2S bridge it is easier to locate each of the singers. The Bridge also seems to deliver that hard to quantify musicality, everything seems to sound right, not processed or digital.

For me, the timing of the music is very important, all the instruments and singers must appear at the correct time. When it is done correctly the difference it makes is special; this includes transients such as the kick of the drum. I sold my previous speakers because they sounded slow.

This new sense of musical timing had me searching through my library for more great rhythms. It was hard to stop, and it was only the lovely sunny bank holiday weekend that drew me away for a short period. When I returned, I rediscovered Ibrahim Ferrer on the album Buenos Hermanos with some great Cuban rhythms. This then led me to Buena Vista Social Club album with more Cuban musicians.As well as the great musical beat the texture of the vocals was richer, the voices sounded deeper and with more body. When I recently reviewed the Sparkos Labs discrete operational amplifiers fitted into a Maverick D2 DAC the La Voce DAC via USB was out played. The sound of the Maverick D2 DAC with the Sparkos op amps took on more body and soul of the music. Changing the interface to I2S the La Voce stepped up a gear and now out classed the Maverick D2 plus upgraded op amps.The high frequencies, particularly from the percussion were cleaner, smoother and more realistic. I hate the word 'musical' but that is a good description of the change.

Conclusions

Not all DACs provide I2S as an input channel, though it is becoming more widely available. The HDMI connection standard does support 2 channel using I2S. Pink Faun have their own range of DACs that support I2S over HDMI.If you are about to upgrade your DAC solution I strongly recommend searching out a DAC with I2S input and then talk to the team at Pink Faun about the I2S bridge. The bridge will not make a silk purse out of a sows ear, when the recording is poor it will remain so. When the recording is good the I2S lets the quality through.As an example one of my favourite tracks from Led Zeppelin is 'Whole Lotta Love' and my version is on the Early Days CD set. No matter how this track is played the sound quality is, to my ears, poor. Conversely 'Stairway to Heaven' off the same CD is way better and with the I2S Bridge this quality really shines.The recorders and guitar on the slow intro are delivered with tremendous richness of tone. The improved separation of the instruments makes the two recorders much easier to hear.The I2S Bridge will not suit everyone as it is only available for a Windows PC. Even with this limitation the solution is worth seeking out and hearing. I will use I2S for the interface whenever possible. In my experience USB is still a long way from perfect as a transmission medium for audio data.

Compatible DACs

Pink Faun
Sonore
Wyred4Sound
PS Audio
K&K Audio
Audiobyte
Wadia
Love Harmony
MSB Technology
Empirical Audio
Northstar Design
LKS Audio
Ayon
Stello
Audio Alchemy
Perpetual Audio
Camolot
Aquasound
Audio-GD

This experience of using I2S in place of USB has shown that other manufacturers of DACs should be considering this interface.

AQVOX audiophile ASIO software for USB DACs
Better soundquality through better software, improve your computers audio stream!

The AQVOX ASIO USB Software for Windows , is a MUST TRY OUT for
every owner of a USB DAC or other audio device with a USB-input like Amplifier or CD-player.
The price/improvement ratio is simply outstanding, try it out NOW.

In some seconds the demo-software is installed and the huge improvement in soundquality i.e. more open and transparent sound, with better dynamics and more defined low-end can instantly be heard. Sure a good hifi set and audiophile music-material is essential.
For playing the Top10 over cheap-speakers this software is not needed, because no improvement will be heard.

Download the free trial version now. It is a full version except a short disturbing signal every 60 seconds.
This signal disappears if you to buy the activation-key for the full-version.
(just try it out, if the USB-chip is not copmpatible the install process simply stops after checking)
(the ASIO-plugins for eg. Foobar or Winamp are still required as this players do not have a native ASIO-Interface, here the instructions)

To obtain your personal activation code for the full-version, please use this >orderform

AQVOX was one of the pioneers who introduced the USB-connection for D/A converters to audio enthusiasts around the world. AQVOX has been working diligently on the task 'computer as audiophile sound source'.
As a perfect solution for audio streaming via computers, AQVOX presents a powerful yet easy to install and easy to use driver software. No settings necessary, works right away. The driver is solely optimized for an audiophile data transfer from the computer.

The AQVOX USB ASIO Driver

The comprehensive identification of the multiple problems caused by the operating systems and computer hardware made it possible to develop an ideal solution. A team of specialized software engineers developed the AQVOX ASIO Driver, a well-engineered software that not only bypasses completely the Windows Kernel-Mixer but also the entire Microsoft Sound System. But wait, there’s more! The AQVOX driver talks directly with the USB-chip inside the audiodevice. This is required for a true bit-perfect, low-jitter data pipeline.

Thus, with the AQVOX driver every Windows computer can deliver bit-transparent (1:1), extremly low-jitter audio signals with fantastic transparent and spatial sound. That way your computer can keep up with CD-drives/ CD-transports which would cost several thousand Euros to perform at the same level. Sure, mechanically elaborated CD-drives provide an attraction and good performance, but they are no longer essential. High-end audio gets a bit more “democratic” this way.

Requirements for an audiophile sound quality from computers:

High-quality digital-to-analog converter with USB-input (e.g. AQVOX DAC)
High-quality USB cable (e.g. AQVOX High-End USB-Cable)
Maximum spindle-speed of the CD/DVD-drives for reading data should not exceed 2x
Audiophile music material. Because even the AQVOX hard- and software is not able to perform magic.
Stopp all running programs that are not vital, like virus-scanner, automatic updater, WLAN and so on.

The AQVOX driver is based upon a proprietary driver technology. It is compatible with many USB-DACs from other companies (please ask for compatibility of your DAC model or just try out). The driver works with all windows/apple based media players, sound programs and all kinds of file formats.
Please mind that the AQVOX ASIO driver is not ideal for musicians who want to record signals from MIDI-keyboards etc., because it is not optimized for short latency, but for best sound quality and compatibility with most computer types.

Most ASIO freeware is not ideal, since they are no real drivers but merely “wrappers”. Although those drivers bypass the Windows Kernel Mixer, and avoiding a good part of the sound degrading resampling (here’s more on this topic), they nevertheless route the audio data through the Windows Sound System. The point is that the integrated sound systems and USB-Kernels of the operating systems are not optimized for audiophile requirements yet for low CPU load in conjunction with various plug-ins and drivers. Timing priorities are chosen in such a way that high jitter level occurs and resamplings degrade sound quality.
The AQVOX driver has clearly better soundquality as WASAPI, DS Direct-Sound, KS Kernel-Streaming or similar solutions. The AQVOX driver routes the soundinformation 100% bit-transparent by establishing a 'Sound-Pipeline' through the windows system. The 'soundbytes' are untouched by the winsows-system and thus have extremely low jitter (because of no waitstates or intrerrupts) and are then handed over from the USB-Ports to the USB-Chip inside the USB-DAC via hardwarehandshake - this is true hardware-ASIO.

Improves sound quality instantly !
Advantages of the AQVOX ASIO USB software at a glance.

1. Self-installing with just one click
2. For Microsoft operating systems
3. Extremely low-jitter (improved sound), and No resampling (improved sound)
4. Bypasses completely the windows sound system
5. 'talks' directly with the USB-chip inside the audio-device
6. Compatible with all kinds of media-players, play-back and music programms with an ASIO interface
7. Compatible with every professional audio editing and mastering software e.g. WaveLab, Cubase, Reason, Ableton Live, nTrax...
8. Free trial-version available. (Just a short sound-signal every 60 seconds reminds you to buy the full-version).
9. Compatible with many USB-DACs from other companies
(just try it out, if the USB-chip is not copmpatible the install process simply stops with TIMEOUT )
10. WARNING! After installation the volume control of your music-player program or the windows volume slider may not work,
but if the volume control in your music-player program often still works, set the volume to maximum because digital volume-setting causes sound degradation (here’s more on this topic)

11. All minor updates will be free of charge.
12. Most important: best possible sound reproduction from computer. Amazingly good sound. The ultimate solution for your computer desktop, notebook or media-server.
Of course, it is not advisable to undo the benefits of the AQVOX driver by using a poor USB-cable. AQVOX recommends to give the AQVOX High-End USB-cable a trial. Get AQVOX USB-cables here

The AQVOX ASIO driver is now available. Download the free trial version.
It is a full version without any limits, except a short disturbing signal every 60 seconds.
This signal should remind you to buy the activation-key for the full-version.

(the ASIO-plugins for eg. Foobar or Winamp are still required as they do not have a native ASIO-output)

Download here the 64bit Version for Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Win7,

__________________________________________________________________________

Troubleshooting:

1. FIRST download the latest version from our homepage

2. Then install software - then plug in the USB-deive.

3. Stopp all running programs that are not vital
SWITCH OFF - WLAN - Wireless-Lan, virus-scanner, automatic software updater, automatic email-updater and so on. Please do not contact us for help regarding dropouts, crackles and the like until you did not stopped these services.
4. The AQVOX ASIO driver-installation is USB-Port-related. The USB-Audiodevice works only properly with the ASIO driver at the USB-port what was used during the ASIO driver installation. If a different USB-port should be used the ASIO Software must be un-installed. After restart of the computer the ASIO driver needs to be re-installed and during the installation the USB-Audiodevice needs to be connected with the new USB-port.

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5a. audible crackles
Win: Switch off the 'Intel SpeedStep' / 'AMD PowerNow!' BIOS option on Windows laptops.
Use this little software: http://www.diefer.de/speedswitchxp/index.html
5b. audible crackles may also come from bad or to long USB-cables or from USB-HUBS: try to test with AQVOX USB-cables.
Also limited USB-port performance: switch in BIOS from FullSpeed 15 MBit/Sec to HighSpeed 480 MBit/Sec.
Set the driver to 'internal' sample rate generation, this helps for dropout-free output.
6. Give more cpu-power to the audio/ASIO-processing:
set the Computer-Power-options to optimized for background-services:
for WinXP
START - SETTINGS - SYSTEMSETTINGS - SYSTEM
under - enhanced - SYSTEMPOWER options - on SETTINGS -
under - enhanced - under CPU or Power
OPTION: click on BACKROUNDSERVICES

Here a Screenshot as example, sorry only available in german :

Aqvox Sound Cards & Media Devices Driver Download For Windows 10 64-bit

7. in BIOS settings: test-wise switch off the on-board soundcard

8. Please check in your system / device-manager that the AQVOX driver appears in the USB-devicelist. Here a screenshot as example :

Aqvox Sound Cards & Media Devices Driver Download For Windows 10 7

9. please give us a call in case of problems, a interactive phone-call solves faster problems than email

here Foobar + Winamp ASIO setup help

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