Best USB to S/PDIF converter for Naim DAC

Hi, I have gone to extreme measures over a couple of years and tried about 20 usb converters. To me, in a high end 500 active system, there was a clear winner but it is not cheap. The Weisz int204 with  good linear (£500) power supply came top and is being used. It's the most open and musical combination. Purite sold me it at around £700. I used the full m2tech EVO clock with the same power supply for a while and that was very good too.

rtsy posted:

Related but not quite purely a comparison of USB to S/PDIF converters. I tried both an M2Tech Evo and a Audiophileo 2 w/ Battery Power Supply.

I was biased towards the M2Tech Evo since it is carried by a dealer I trust whilst the Audiophileo was an online purchase.

Upstream was a MacMini. I could not even get the M2Tech Evo to work with the MacMini. Scarce documentation and unresponsive support from M2Tech had me sending the Evo back to the accommodating dealer (who could only manage to get Evo to work with Windows).

The Audiophileo has been as close to set and forget you can get when you are into this streaming from a computer game. Certainly a big step up from the optical out of a MacMini (and an Airport Express before the MacMini). The fact that the Audiophileo is powered via USB means one less SMPS to plug into your mains. It also does not take extra shelf space--in case this is a consideration.

The Evo of course can be upgraded with a linear power supply and an external clock. Wonderful for tinkerers with lots of space and a nightmare for those with significant others to please aesthetically.

Last weekend, I slotted an NDX into the system. I'm not sure if it is system synergy with the Nait XS-S44 downstream, one less SMPS polluting the mains, less complex chain (less cables, less interfaces), etc. but the MacMini w/ Amarra and the Audiophileo + Battery Power Supply now lie idle. User ergonomics and overall system stability has also taken a step up with the NDX + Naim app.

I've kept the nDAC (though currently unused) on the FraimLite though. I'm awaiting the Naim digital interconnect from my dealer to try with the NDX.

Very interesting rtsy, thanks for your feedback! Have you tried the NDX into the nDAC as compared to MacMini/Amarra+Audiophileo/BPS into the nDAC (and from there into the Nait XS-S44) ?

RICHYH posted:

Hi, I have gone to extreme measures over a couple of years and tried about 20 usb converters. To me, in a high end 500 active system, there was a clear winner but it is not cheap. The Weisz int204 with  good linear (£500) power supply came top and is being used. It's the most open and musical combination. Purite sold me it at around £700. I used the full m2tech EVO clock with the same power supply for a while and that was very good too.

Thanks for the feedback RICHYH! I currently have the following chain

(Teddy Pardo PSU + fit-PC3 low power) >
Supra USB cable >
(Teddy Pardo PSU + M2tech hiFace Evo) >
Naim DC1 >
Naim Dac >
Naim Standard Interconnect >

upstream my SN2. From there, the signal goes via NAC A5 into Ovator S-400. I am actually very happy with this system but, after the latest firmware upgrade for the Naim DAC, I have been wandering whether I could further improve its sound quality by replacing the (Teddy Pardo PSU + M2tech hiFace Evo) combination with something better. That was the main reason for asking specific feedback on the Hydra Z, the MC-3+ USB and the hiFace Evo Two. Now I'll have to add the INT204 to the list! Best, nbpf

The Naim DAC-V1 uses an Audiophilleo as a USB to SPDIF converter to isolate the noise coming from the USB source.

Huge posted:

Fabio Volpe posted:

 

...

The result with the Audiophilleo 2 with separate usb power supply is very close to the usb stick plugged directly on the NDAC usb port. On 44Khz files, I still prefer "slightly" the usb stick.

Did any of you use a SPDIF interface (or streamer) that can beat the usb stick?

Although not quite on topic, I have managed to get my Synology NAS -> ND5 XS -> Nait XS-2 set-up to match the SQ obtained when using a USB stick.

Doing this required extensive use of clip-on ferrite chokes (to suppress RFI) on the network cables and on all SMPSs in the area.  A bit of a pfaf but well worth it.

I started trying your suggestion with 2 ferrite chokes on the network switch's PS and it improved the sound a bit! I'll get more ferrite chockes for the other PS of network connected devices.

Thank you!

Fabio Volpe posted:

Huge posted:

Fabio Volpe posted:

 

...

The result with the Audiophilleo 2 with separate usb power supply is very close to the usb stick plugged directly on the NDAC usb port. On 44Khz files, I still prefer "slightly" the usb stick.

Did any of you use a SPDIF interface (or streamer) that can beat the usb stick?

Although not quite on topic, I have managed to get my Synology NAS -> ND5 XS -> Nait XS-2 set-up to match the SQ obtained when using a USB stick.

Doing this required extensive use of clip-on ferrite chokes (to suppress RFI) on the network cables and on all SMPSs in the area.  A bit of a pfaf but well worth it.

I started trying your suggestion with 2 ferrite chokes on the network switch's PS and it improved the sound a bit! I'll get more ferrite chockes for the other PS of network connected devices.

Thank you!

Fabio

It is also well worth trying ferrite chokes on the USB lead and on the S/Pdif lead.
Try them separately and both together.

I had time to test a TeddyU2S and he was very good.

JogoVogo posted:

I had time to test a TeddyU2S and he was very good.

Yes, it's a very nice device. And does not need any additional PSU. But is it better than the M2Tech Evo with TP PSU I currently use?

I can not judge unfortunately. Only the Teddy Pardo, according to my experience, sounds very good.