Improve eAPO SQ - Dedicated virtual sound card / implement as VST and bypass the Windows "OS Mixer"

[Ron Kuper]

Hi Folks,

The windows "OS Mixer" perform several determential steps for SQ.
See here:
https://audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/science-behind-claim-of-ms-os-mixer-bypass-necessity.2672/
https://audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/myth-or-reality-volume-control-in-windows.2031

Currently Equalizer APO is implemented as an Windows Audio Enhancment plugin (not sure I use the correct terminology but I guess you would know) which means that we have to go through the "OS Mixer" to use Equalizer APO and negate the benefits audiophile grade players like Roon and JRiver offers with their "Exclusive Mode" access to the sound device.

Two ways this could be solved with Equalizer APO -
Develop a standalone virtual sound card that would host Equalizer APO directly, not as a "Windows Audio Enhancement", similar to what Dirac and others are doing with their virtual sound cards. These virtual sound cards could then be used in "Exclusive Mode" from the player, thus bypassing the "OS Mixer".

Another option would be to develop Equalizer APO itself as a VST, it would help audiophile players with built-in VST support.

Was there any discussion on these matters?

[Juha]

There's this integration with VB-Audio's Voicemeeter through VoicemeeterRemote API.
https://forum.vb-audio.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=346
Voicemeeter supports ASIO/KS level I/O ... .

[Ron Kuper]

Thanks, so for certeinty - the Equalizer APO implementation for Voicemeter does not relay on Windows APO?

I just tried Voicemeter with EqualizerAPO - it works on its own but I can't get Voicemeter to attach to Dirac Live virtual audio device (DAP) in WDM exclusive mode.

Will try reaching them.

[Ron Kuper]

Update - It was a VoiceMeeter issue.
The workaround is to use VoiceMeeter BANANA instead, it has a slightly different implementation for attaching audio devices which was OK with Dirac.

[Juha]

Yes, I used BANANA as well but forgot to point that in my reply. Good to hear you got it working for you.