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How to benchmark PC audio performance

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Posted on October 8, 2014 at 08:14:06
Lots of discussion here about the minutia.

How about a primer on benchmarking a PC's a audio performance so we have a place to start before tweeking?

 

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RE: How to benchmark PC audio performance, posted on October 8, 2014 at 09:36:15
AbeCollins
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Posts: 46200
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
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  Since:
February 2, 2002
My advise has always been to start with a system that you are already familiar with, Windows, Mac, or Linux. Set up a basic system with no particular tweeks at all. Use a good audio player and good DAC. Listen to the stock system, then begin tweeking.

What we hear and prefer in audio reproduction is subjective and differs from one individual to another so it will be futile to try and have someone 'explain' to you what you 'should' be listening for.

I would suggest using a source component that you own and enjoy in your present setup as a 'benchmark' goal to meet or exceed with your PC audio components and software.

My 'benchmark' was a CD player that I kept for a decade after trying more than half a dozen others. If my computer audio system + DAC could meet or exceed the performance of my CDP while playing 16-bit / 44.1KHz redbook equivalent files, that was my first goal. And BTW, that's pretty easy to do w/o much tweeking at all. At least that has been my experience on the Mac.

Beyond that, I have used better players like Audirvana Plus, Pure Music, and BitPerfect. And a variety of 'tweeks' to disable unneeded operating system processes.

Just my 2-cents worth, but start from 'stock' then methodically apply your tweeks and listen using your own 'benchmark' existing source component to compare against the PC.






 

RE: How to benchmark PC audio performance, posted on October 8, 2014 at 16:56:06
Thanks for your response.

I kind wish to be able to characterize my PCs ability to deliver bits before I start buying/listening to anything. Without that I might as well just concentrate on finding the best sounding DAC then tweek - which of course and obviously is a waste of time unless one first proves the PC is delivering the bits as expected. Unless of course one wishes to be on the endless merry go round of component purchases / upgrades.

 

RE: How to benchmark PC audio performance, posted on October 8, 2014 at 22:00:31
fmak
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Posts: 13158
Location: Kent
Joined: June 1, 2002
It is nonsensical to think that it is possible to benchmark quality of audio reproduction.

The only thing that can be done is to use a panel such as those used in the assessment of subjective responses such as noise and smell (as in pollution control).

 

RE: How to benchmark PC audio performance, posted on October 8, 2014 at 22:46:55
"It is nonsensical to think that it is possible to benchmark quality of audio reproduction."

But we're talking essentially about using the PC as a transport. Most certainly it would be worthwhile to be able to qualify it's performance - ie. how well it works in the first place so our changes (both in the PC and downstream) are actually relevant to performance and not band aids covering up a flawed/broken system.

Tweeks, upgrades, etc. should only be evaluated in a system that is known to be working / not broken. How to you know the system is working in the first place? Cause it sounds like it?

Without qualification it's impossible to know didly-squat. Like I said before - anyone can hear a change. So what?

 

RE: How to benchmark PC audio performance, posted on October 9, 2014 at 13:54:13
AbeCollins
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Posts: 46200
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
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Well, to summarize my point: Start somewhere. Just start. Then tweek. ;-)



 

about using the PC as a transport, posted on October 10, 2014 at 09:28:13
fmak
Audiophile

Posts: 13158
Location: Kent
Joined: June 1, 2002
There are already 'benchmark' measurements, ranging from incorrect ones that find no difference (with poor measurement equipment and technique) to those sophicated ones that measure 'superb' performance in terms of distortion, jitter etc. The problem is that neither correlates with sound quality on any kind of indentifiable scale.

 

RE: How to benchmark PC audio performance, posted on October 13, 2014 at 22:58:26
You could use DPC Latency Checker to start.

 

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