More files/quality on USB mode on cd player?

Assuming your premise is that the poster SHOULD do this...

foobar2000: Components Repository - ASIO support

"It is highly recommended to use the default output modes instead of ASIO. Contrary to popular "audiophile" claims, there are NO benefits from using ASIO as far as music playback quality is concerned, while bugs in ASIO drivers may severely degrade the performance."

If you're asking because you're cautioning against it, then ignore all of the above

 

testing foobar2000 as it comes, with no additions

 

I am suggesting to give it a go, and as it costs nothing to do, and it's easy to turn it off if it is of no benefit, there's no reason not to do it.
I have some elderly audio interfaces, and using ASIO is beneficial in my case.
OP has different kit, and a computer with geriatric software, so it might be of some benefit.

 

true

 

I am very happy with the sound, and I wanna thank you for your advice!

Questions:

1. is there a reason for changing internal sound card for SQ improvement?
2. second option: external sound card, and connecting Behringer UCA202 to it? (but it seems there's no external sound cards with USB outs)

 

You've improved the sound by bypassing the internal sound altogether, and taking a feed from the USB

2 is moot. The UCA202 IS your external sound card.

 

I thought so, and sometimes these files sound superior to CD's they were ripped from

 

You haven't entirely removed the Windows mixer.
Try the ASIO drivers, you may find them beneficial.

 

Is it possible that files sound superior via Behringer compared to CD's they were ripped from?

 

You’re comparing the DACs of the Behringer vs that of the CD player at this point. One would assume that a $10,000 external DAC playing ripped files would best a $30 CD player. This is a case-by-case scenario.

 

No.
You're hearing differences in DACs.
Have you tried installing the ASIO drivers for Foobar2000 yet?
Getting the Windows mixer out of the equation can make a profound difference.

FYI I still have a laptop running XP Pro - some programs I have needed to run do not play on anything later, but they are specific to non audio hardware I deal with for work.
When using the aforementioned audio interfaces I much preferred the sound quality with the ASIO drivers installed and selected for output and input.

 

No, not yet.

 

thanks...

Questions:

1. Can we read the SQ from the following specs.
2. What DAC should I look for to improve the SQ of my CD player? (or not?)

My CD player's DAC:

Wolfson 24-bit



Behringer specs:

 

The Behringer is worse than anything but a laptop headphone jack (which is made for powering tiny speakers).

Have a look here for where you should start (and we are talking 20dB better signal-to-noise ratio) for $99:

Schiit Audio: Audio Products Designed and Built in California

 

Thanks.