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
slothman
311 posts
 
Go on Ebay and do a search for "USB to SPDIF Converter". There is one on there now for $35. Then go find an EAD DSP-7000 MKII DAC on the cheap and I think you will experience a life changing event for around $300.
hamburg
69 posts
 
The Sonos ZP80 has Optical and coax digital output for superior audio quality. I use it with Mark Levinson DAC, N32 Pre Amp and Wilson speakers. Not as good as vinyl but easy to play and quite good.
sashav
64 posts
 
Could someone please explain what the benefits are of going USB into a device that will output SPDIF, as compared to going ethernet (network) into a device that will output SPDIF?
What determines the quality here is the device that creates SPDIF signal, not the type of async transport to it?
So the question is, why not using SB3? Why insist on USB as transport?
pardales
652 posts
 
I have finally tried out the Trends UD-10. Damn good unit. For the price, best USB to SPDIF converter I have heard, hands down -- this is stock, USB powered. I have not even tried the battery supply yet.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Benefits of USB - Currently the implementations are superior to networked, and most wirless networked servers do not support 24/96.

Networked is superior technically to USB because the clock is regenerated at the receiving unit. It is being held-back performance-wise by the implementations only IMO. This will change for the better in the near future.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
Manufacturer
More to discover