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

    step-1-download-components

    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

    Install-component-1

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

    Install-component-asio.png

    Click ‘Apply’ and restart foobar2000.

    apply-component

    Step 3: Enable ASIO output mode

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

    Enable-ASIO

    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.