Computer USB to S/PDIF converters, which one do you use?
Posted by: Geoff P on 05 September 2011
OK folk the M2 HiTech is the one I know of, but what else is out there that could also be consider HQ? Input from those who have experience appreciated.
Thanks
Geoff
Excellent Tony - very interested to hear what you make of the U3.
An update; having waited to get one for home trial, I've now been informed that unfortunately the Stello U3 can't be legally sold here because it doesn’t have CE or RoHS compliance.
A shame. It seemed to hold promise.
Hi Tony
If you know somebody in the US you could get them to buy it and ship it as a personal item. Bugger the CE and RoHS compliance. Its all hogwash anyway, especial the RoHS which allows loads of electrical equipment to generate a lot more than any small IC circuit would.
regards
Geoff
Ta Geoff, that's a good option!
After comparing the M2Tech HiFace Evo, the JKenny modified HiFace (Mk2) and the Halide Bridge, I went for the JKenny mod. The Evo was very good, if a little "frontal"; the Bridge was suprisingly dull and sluggish. I really wanted to like the Bridge more, given its enhanced convenience. With no boxes to deal with, and no drivers to download, the Bridge is genuinely plug-and-play. I've not heard the standard HiFace.
The JKenny mod uses the USB type A male rather than the more usual type B female, which means that you need an A-to-A extension cable rather than the usual A-B cable. What this also means - and for this, you proceed at your own risk! - is that if you are using a laptop, you can slot the box directly into the USB output of your computer, thus obviating the need for the USB cable. I say "at your own risk", because this box is not designed to be used in this way (unlike the regular HiFace). You need to make sure that both computer and the box are on a sturdy surface and that the heights of the two components are exactly matched, otherwise you run the risk of applying pressure on, and possibly bending, the male connector. However, if you can arrange your system to make this possible, there is a worthwhile pay-off in the sound, which is now a little more open and texturally vibrant.
Apparently, John Kenny now has a Mk3 verson (which uses the more usual B-type connector). I've not had a chance to hear this.
17 months later. What is the current view on USB to S/DIF converters, especially in comparison to the DAC V1?
david
musical fidelity link is very effective
I ended up building my own using a Wave IO XMOS board and a Paul Hynes regulated power supply, which I subsequently built into my DAC and used the Wave's I2S output, doing away with SP/DIF. This was a very good move indeed and made a considerable improvement to sound quality.
I agree with Tony. I2S is superior to USB to SPDIF conversion. If you can implement it that is.
Interstingly I2S was developed by Philips as a short distance connection for use INSIDE CD players between individual PCB's. The best way therefore to use it is INTERNALLY as close as possible to the DAC it is feeding.
For ths reason is it is really the preserve of DIY. I have implemented I2S in my K&K audio DAC kit and don't use SPDIF as a first choice now because I2S is so much better.
regards
Geoff
I think £2.5k for the Sonicweld Diverter HR2 sounds like quite a lot of money - particularly if you're using it with an asynchronous DAC like the nDAC, which throws away all the de-jittering/retiming hard work.
I think £2.5k for the Sonicweld Diverter HR2 sounds like quite a lot of money - particularly if you're using it with an asynchronous DAC like the nDAC, which throws away all the de-jittering/retiming hard work.
You would think so, but apparently all is not as it seems ...