Realtek WASAPI and ASIO louder than DS

[CrazyH]

Hi, all.
Just wondering if anyone has experienced this? I am using the Supreme FX II Asus card that is part of the motherboard bundle.
I've tried WASAPI playback in foobar and fidelify as well as ASIO via ASIO4ALL and the output is noticeably louder, possibly 6db, than Direct Sound.
I'm not sure if it sounds better or worse because I can't really accurately compare with such different volumes.

I've tried various 16 and 24 bit output settings but that doesn't change anything.

My hunch is that in Direct Sound the driver leaves headroom for potential "enhancements" like bass boost when mixing. Completely speculating, though.

 

[Feyy]

When using ASIO, the sound goes directly to the sound card, bypassing the windows mixer etc.

In this case, ASIO also sets the playback volume at 0db, so it's really loud.

To change the volume, I use JRiver Media Center, which has a "Internal Volume" control that allows the gain for ASIO to be changed.

Edit: You should also be able to control the gain for ASIO playback with foobar I think?

 

[CrazyH]

Thanks, yeh I can control it in foobar.

Actually come to think about it I remember ASIO being slightly louder on my creative card but not WASAPI exclusive.
Definitely was much less of a difference, guess the sound mixer and drivers work differently on all devices.