Compare Between Few Dacs

Bhobba: First, I want to say thank you. It was your comments I read in a post a while ago that led me to the purchase of my Metrum. I love it and actually prefer it to the Weiss Minerva I had at five times the cost. I have a few questions regarding proper use of the Metrum. Questions that I can't seem to get any answers to. I am currently using the Metrum via its optical input as it's the only option for me right now. In the past I purchased two usb/spdif converters...Mapleshade (which required a driver that I couldn't to get to operate), and a M2Tech Hiface 2. I was getting "clicks" and "pops" coming out of the speakers with the Hiface 2. Someone said I need to increase the buffer size but when I asked how this is done, I couldn't get an answer. The Hiface 2 was returned.

Also, I understand that the Metrum can be modified to accept BNC input as this apparently is a true 75 ohm input.

So, here are my questions:

1) Does the Audiophillio require a driver to download?
2) Have you compared other usb/spdif converters to the
Auidophillio?
3) Do you know how to increase buffer size?
4) Have you any experience using the Metrum with a BNC
input?

Sorry for all the questions but I can't the answers I need.

Hi Devilboy

I am not surprised you prefer it to the Minerva - I compared the two and the Metrum was clearly better to my and others ears that heard it.

I have compared the Audiophellio to the optical with the Metrum - the Audiophellio blows it out of the water - a joke comparison.

No drivers necessary for the Audiophellio on a Mac - not sure about a Windows machine since I dont use that.

I have compared many USB converters to the Audiophellio and nothing cheaper bests it - the stuff that does like an Off-Ramp is much more expensive. The Audiophello is the best bang for buck.

I use Bitperfect and Audirvana on a Mac for playback software and they have options to adjust buffer size - Bitperfect is very cheap and is what I would suggest - but its default settings work just fine.

No experience with a BNC input but the Audiophellio direct injects into the DAC and you get attachments that make it dead simple to connect to the Metrum.

Thanks
Bill

Bhobba: Thank you very much for the info...much appreciated.

Bhobba: I'm about to pull the trigger on an Audiophilleo 2 and have another question about your experience with it. I understand that it comes with a usb cable. Did you use it with the stock cable or did you use an upgraded cable? Also, should the usb cable be 1.5 meters as recommended by many for digital cables?(although I don't know if that pertains to coax only or usb as well).

As always, your advice is greatly appreciated.

I replaced the spdif input rca for a true 75ohm bnc on my Metrum, 5 min job. It is worth it. I however use a JKMK3 which is Bnc out and a Blackcat Silverstar didital IC which is also bnc.

Metrum is very nice, it replaced a W4S in my system. Bill is correct and has a wealth of knowledge, you need to feed it a good jitter free signal if using a Mac/PC. Nothing less than JKMK3 or Audiophilleo.

I've only tired optical with my Apple TV2 and AirPlay....... Not as good