Audio Output

ECHO audio output is stability-first. Advanced output modes can make the device chain clearer, but they also depend more on the operating system, drivers, and hardware state. When something fails, return to a stable path first, then enable advanced options one at a time.

Choosing An Output Mode

Mode	Best for	Recommendation
System	Normal PCs, Bluetooth headphones, laptop speakers, stable playback	First choice for new users and troubleshooting
WASAPI Shared	Daily Windows output and common USB DACs	Stable long-term default
WASAPI Exclusive	External DACs and exclusive device control	Enable after the device is proven stable
ASIO	Vendor professional audio drivers and interfaces	Use only when you have a real device/driver need
DSD / DoP	DACs that explicitly support DSD	Enable only after checking device support
HQPlayer	External HQPlayer workflows	Requires separate setup and connection validation

If you only want reliable playback, use System or WASAPI Shared. Do not enable ASIO, Exclusive, or DSD just because the name sounds more professional.

Do Not Use Exclusive Mode With Bluetooth

Bluetooth headphones, speakers, and car audio should use System or WASAPI Shared. Do not use Bluetooth devices for WASAPI Exclusive, ASIO, DSD, bit-perfect, or high-sample-rate validation.

Bluetooth is not a controlled wired HiFi chain. It passes through the Windows Bluetooth stack, drivers, device firmware, codecs, radio conditions, and battery policies. ECHO cannot guarantee exclusive open, fixed sample rate, low latency, stable volume, or strict raw output for Bluetooth devices.

Bluetooth dropouts, latency, crackling, stutter, quality changes, volume issues, device switching, exclusive-mode failures, and codec issues are outside official ECHO maintenance. For troubleshooting, test with wired headphones, a USB DAC, or normal system output first.

Third-Party Drivers Are Unsupported

ECHO does not support compatibility work for third-party drivers, virtual audio devices, or ASIO wrapper layers. This includes:

• ASIO4ALL, FlexASIO, and Voicemeeter.
• Driver repacks not released by the device vendor.
• System-wide audio enhancement drivers, virtual routing tools, and virtual sound cards.
• Tools that modify the system audio chain or intercept other apps’ audio.

These tools may produce sound in some environments, but ECHO does not promise support, will not add targeted fixes for them, and does not treat their failures as ECHO audio engine defects. If you need ASIO, use the original driver from the device vendor.

bit-perfect And DSP

Once audio is processed, it is no longer strictly bit-perfect. These features affect the output path:

• EQ, Preamp, FIR, and channel balance.
• ReplayGain.
• Speed changes, pitch changes, crossfade, and automix.
• Resampling.
• System mixing, Bluetooth codecs, and virtual audio devices.

To validate raw output, disable all DSP, gain, speed, and channel processing first, and use a stable wired output device.

DSD And High Sample Rates

DSD, DoP, high sample rates, and high bit depths depend heavily on the DAC and driver. Before enabling them:

1. Confirm the device specifications support the target format.
2. Use a driver from the device vendor.
3. Make sure Windows audio settings are not locked by another app.
4. Confirm normal PCM playback first.
5. Then test DSD, DoP, or higher sample rates.

If you get no sound, crackling, half-speed playback, double-speed playback, or device-open failures, switch back to System or WASAPI Shared before adding more advanced options. If a song sounds slow, fast, or the progress looks wrong, read Why Did My Song Speed Change?.

HQPlayer

HQPlayer is an external professional playback chain. ECHO can act as a control and handoff surface, but output, filtering, upsampling, and device connection are handled by HQPlayer and its environment.

For HQPlayer issues, check separately:

• HQPlayer can play on its own.
• The address, port, and connection test in ECHO are correct.
• The current file format is supported by the HQPlayer chain.
• The external device is online and not occupied by another app.

HQPlayer, NAA, network players, and professional DAC combinations vary widely. Include screenshots of both ECHO connection state and HQPlayer-side errors when sending a report.

For step-by-step setup from HQPlayer standalone playback to local ECHO Connect, remote mode, NAA boundaries, and troubleshooting, read the HQPlayer Guide.

Troubleshooting Order

For no sound, crackling, half-speed playback, double-speed playback, or failed track changes:

1. Switch back to System.
2. Disable EQ, ReplayGain, speed changes, channel tools, and resampling.
3. Play a normal MP3 or FLAC file.
4. Confirm Windows output device and per-app volume.
5. Try WASAPI Shared.
6. Test Exclusive, ASIO, DSD, or HQPlayer only after that.

Change one setting at a time. If it fails, screenshot the output mode, device name, status text, file format, and error details before sending a report.