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Audiophile USB to PCM

I have an excellent upsampler and dac (dCS Purcell/Delius) and am looking for the very best USB to PCM conversion. So far, I've tried SlimDevices Squeezebox, and Xitel Pro Hi-Fi link.

Both are very good, but I was wondering if there are any other options I should be considering. Both the Sutherland USB Preamp and the Wavelength USB Dac convert to analog. I'd like something of similar quality that stops short of the digital to analog conversion so that I can let the dCS gear do that.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

harry
hbrandt
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
4,163 posts
 
Edesilva, I have two computer based systems. One uses the RME with the AES/EBU balanced digital out and the other an M-Audio Sonica with an optical out. The RME sounds better. The RME also betters the built in optical output on the Apple G5. It's not an earth shaking, dramatic, blows away type of difference, but it's there and I find it worthwhile.
hbrandt OP
272 posts
 
Any other recommendations for a laptop??

Harry
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
4,163 posts
 
There are various firewire based interfaces (Metric Halo, M-Audio and others), but I don't have direct experience with them. They tend to be geared to professional multi channel use. I've also seen PMCIA based interfaces.

Doesn't the dCS have a firewire option?
rsbeck
887 posts
 
I use an Apogee USB Mini-Dac with my Mac G4 laptop -- sounds really good for casual listening, using the laptop as a juke box. I rip my CD's to the hard drive uncompressed using AIFF. I had an M-Audio Audiophile USB Dac prior to the Apogee -- the Apogee blows it away. Of course the M-Audio cost $175 while the Apogee cost $976.
hbrandt OP
272 posts
 
Rsbeck:

Do you use the Apogee to convert to analog?? I'm just looking to convert from USB to PCM so I can run it into my dCS gear.

Onhywy61:

Yes, dCS has a firewire version but I don't have it.

harry
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