First, decode.
FLAC stores compressed audio without loss. Before output, the decoder restores PCM samples. MP3 has no original 16- or 24-bit PCM depth: it must first be decoded.
VULAN — direct USB output engine
Sends sound from SHIKARDOS to an external USB DAC. This page shows the signal path; the instructions cover connecting the device, format and bit depth.
ONE SAMPLE / FIVE STAGESLEARNING PCM PATH · NO AUDIO
LIVE SIGNAL PATH
SELECTED STAGE
Your recording
Drag the body to rotate. Tap a module to select it. Shift + wheel separates the layers. Keyboard: ← → select a stage.
UP CLOSE / INSIDE THE USB STREAM
Inspect one sample.
An illustrative positive number. Each digit is one bit. This is an example of PCM packing, not a reading from your device.
BeforeAfter
What survives
along the way?
Choose an experiment. It changes the learning path settings above. The colored bits and modules show the consequences immediately.
Preserve or adjust.
The equalizer, GRAVITY, CRYSTAL and level adjustment change samples to achieve the chosen sound. Direct output and unchanged data are separate properties. To preserve the original PCM, processing must be disabled.
Explore the tools →Numbers become sound.
VULAN is SHIKARDOS's direct USB path on Android. Available modes depend on the DAC. The DAC receives the digital stream and converts it into an analog signal for the rest of the chain.
How often samples arrive.
44.1 kHz means 44,100 samples per second per channel. Sample rate and bit depth describe different aspects of PCM. This model assumes the DAC supports the selected sample rate.
How one sample is represented.
A wider mode holds more bits. Padding a 16-bit sample with zeros to 24 bits adds no new detail to the recording. Reducing 24 bits to 16 leaves no room for the least significant bits.
Check the actual path.
This website explains the process without connecting to your USB device. In SHIKARDOS, open “Signal path” to see the actual parameters. DSD/DoP, Bluetooth, Android system output and Windows need separate explanations and are not represented as this PCM path.
How to open “Signal path” →PRESERVE THE ORIGINALDirect output.
Direct output.
Clear conditions.
VULAN sends audio directly to an external USB DAC. Preserving the original values also depends on processing, level, sample rate and bit-depth settings.
Limits of this model
This shows PCM. DSD and DoP require a separate path, with different processing rules and compatibility. Android system output, Bluetooth and Windows are not shown as VULAN. There is no USB access, playback or music measurement here. Light illustrates data flow. If the desired bit depth is unavailable, the rule selects the next higher one, or the highest available if there is none higher.
SOUND STUDIO / LIRA EXPLAINSThe shape of sound.
The shape of sound.
Space and level.
Four short explanations of processing settings. Videos start with sound only when you press the button.
These tools change sound during PCM processing. For a direct, unchanged path, processing must be disabled. WIDTH here is a separate stereo-width control.
AUDIO DYNAMICS · 2:07Compressor. Loud and quiet.
Lira explains the difference between loud and quiet passages and when it is worth adjusting a compressor with care.
SOUND SPACE · 1:00Crossfeed. The soundstage in headphones.
Lira explains Crossfeed and the connection between the left and right channels when listening on headphones.
SOUND SPACE · 0:51WIDTH. Stereo soundstage width.
Lira explains the separate WIDTH stereo-width control: from mono to the original stereo and a wider soundstage.
QUIET LISTENING · 1:58LOUD. Music at low volume.
Lira explains LOUD loudness compensation and how we perceive bass and high frequencies during quiet listening.