New option for fans of USB-output

Posted by: Aleg on 06 August 2010

Quote from "Enjoy the Music.com":

quote:
Award winning Wavelength Audio has just announced that their USB DACs. division is selling a new WaveLink HS 24/192 USB to S/PDIF converter ($900). For the last two years cheif engineer Gordon Rankin has been working on several different technologies to give USB audio customers 24-bit/192kHz capabilities. The release of this product was held up a little by a small bug found in OSX. Apple quickly fixed the problem but then it took months to get it approved and released. So Apple users with Snow Leopard 10.6.4 can now work to 24/192 using native Audio Class 2 drivers and hardware. Microsoft has not yet declared when they will have Class 2 USB Audio support available so Gordon worked it out with Thesycon to provide XP, Vista and 7 driver support. The WaveLink HS 24-bit/192kHz USB to SPDIF converter gave Gordon a simple means of really testing and optimizing the USB interface side to assure bit perfect interface and very high quality audio on all computer platforms. Like all Wavelength products, the WaveLink uses Asynchronous USB communications with the host and uses low jitter fixed oscillators. The preferred connection is via BNC S/PDIF connection as it is a true 75 Ohm connector and the WaveLink HS 24/192 comes with a BNC-BNC cable from WireWorld as well as a BNC to RCA adapter. The WaveLink is also shipped with a WireWorld USB cable
Posted on: 06 August 2010 by pcstockton
I bet it is nice. Their DACs sound pretty good. The two times I heard one I thought about pursuing one. But then found Naim and about a year later they announced they were working on a DAC so I waited.
Posted on: 06 August 2010 by John R.
Looks like a very good way to connect PC/MAC to the Naim DAC. Wavelength Audio was the very first using asyncronous USB in hi end audio. They should have good experience with that technology.
Posted on: 07 August 2010 by Skip
Might try this Halide Bridge. Same implementation for $450. Big car ride without the big car price.
Posted on: 07 August 2010 by Eloise
quote:
Originally posted by Skip:
Might try this. Same implementation for $450. Big car ride without the big car price.

Yes and no...

The Halide Bridge uses older version of Wavelength's StreamLength code which is Class 1 USB Audio supporting only 24/96. The Wavelength device also has an interesting power arrangement with USB charged lithium ion battery.

Eloise
Posted on: 07 August 2010 by Eloise
quote:
Originally posted by John R.:
Looks like a very good way to connect PC/MAC to the Naim DAC. Wavelength Audio was the very first using asyncronous USB in hi end audio. They should have good experience with that technology.

Were they first? Not sure how they relate to dCS's implementation.

Eloise