2. pc-audio
  3. 1088427969

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
rsbeck
887 posts
 
Oops -- forget that one -- didn't notice that it is the opposite of what I thought. It is for sending digital input INTO your computer using the USB port. Sorry 'bout that. That's what I get for posting before I've had coffee!
hbrandt OP
272 posts
 
No problemo Rsbeck!!! Edirol DOES make one that converts usb to pcm. As does M-audio, Xitel, Waveterminal, and several others. I'm just trying to find which one is the best.

harry
rsbeck
887 posts
 
Why do you want to convert to PCM before your DAC?
hbrandt OP
272 posts
 
I want to use my audiophile grade DAC. It accepts a 16/44.1 signal....which I thought was PCM. Doesn't a CD player put out PCM. I thought I needed to convert the USB signal to PCM for it to be able to be accepted by the DAC. Is this incorrect?
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
4,163 posts
 
Hbrandt, the music files stored on your hard drive are a PCM data stream which is can then be transmitted via the USB protocol to an external device. You simply want a device that connects to your computer with an USB cable and connects to your D/A with a Toslink, S/DIF or AES/EBU cable. It's a very minor point, but I believe it's incorrect to refer to the USB connection as converting the PCM data stream.
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