Windows® 7 ASIO Audio Setup Guide for foobar2000

Audio Stream Input/Output, or ASIO, mode ensures your PC sound doesn’t undergo digital signal processing or sample-rate conversion. It is nearly 100% true to its source, and preferred by audiophiles looking for complete fidelity.

Essence products support native Audio Stream Input/Output 2.2 drivers, known as ASIO 2.2., allowing digital signals to bypass Windows audio layers to avoid redundant processing. With easy setup, it allows you to quickly enjoy high fidelity and stable bit-perfect audio.

*ASIO protocol developed by Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH

The example below shows how to configure your Windows 7 PC with an Essence USB DAC using ASIO as the output mode through the foobar2000 media player:

• Install your Essence USB audio product

  Please follow the quick-start guide to install the Essence USB audio 2.0 driver and the Essence product. Make sure the Essence product is set as default audio device.

• Install foobar2000

  Once foobar2000 is installed, add the ASIO plug-in on foobar2000 — like this:

  Step 1: Download the ASIO component

  Find the ‘Get more components’ link under File>Preferences>Components – it’s near the bottom of the dialog box

  

  Clicking the link will direct you to www.foobar2000.org/components. Download the ASIO support file and save it to your PC

  Step 2: Install the ASIO component

  Return to File>Preferences>Components and click the ‘Install’ button

  

  Select ‘foo_out_asio’ component and click the ‘Open’ button

  

  Click ‘Apply’ and restart foobar2000.

  

  Step 3: Enable ASIO output mode

  Select ‘ASIO: Essence device’ under Preferences>Output>Playback>Output.Click the ‘Apply’ button and then click ‘OK’.

  

  ASIO audio output is now enabled. Most Essence USB audio products feature a bit-perfect LED indicator. It will always light up under ASIO playback to show that your playback is bit-perfect.