I'm looking for a really high quality usb to spdif converter to plug an apple mac mini into my dac. Something with incredibly high performance (at least reference level) for little outlay of cash. Does anyone have some recommendations?
Recommendations for usb to spdif converter
- Thread starter Dan Osib
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tsv_1
Well-known member
Hi Dan,
Lots to choose from. The Bel Canto is a quality converter and can be had for <$400 (not sure what your budget is).
http://www.belcantodesign.com/Belcanto_usb_link.html
Cheers
Lots to choose from. The Bel Canto is a quality converter and can be had for <$400 (not sure what your budget is).
http://www.belcantodesign.com/Belcanto_usb_link.html
Cheers
UP TO $400 SOUNDS RIGHT. I WAS SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING THE TRENDS AUDIO UD-10
BUT IT DOESN'T SUPPORT 24/96 khz OR HIGHER. IT'S A SHAME BECAUSE IT'S MEANT TO SOUND AS GOOD AS SOME OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE CONVERTERS AVAILABLE. NOW I'M CONSIDERING THE M2TECH HIFACE? MIXED REVIEWS FOR IT THOUGH, HALF GOOD, HALF BAD.
BUT IT DOESN'T SUPPORT 24/96 khz OR HIGHER. IT'S A SHAME BECAUSE IT'S MEANT TO SOUND AS GOOD AS SOME OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE CONVERTERS AVAILABLE. NOW I'M CONSIDERING THE M2TECH HIFACE? MIXED REVIEWS FOR IT THOUGH, HALF GOOD, HALF BAD.
tsv_1
Well-known member
Heck for $199 with free 2-day delivery (Amazon prime) and their excellent return policy... why not give it a whirl?
I've even seen it for $150.00 on the net the other day. The trends ud-10 converter uses some of this worlds finest internal parts like nichicon and elna silmic capacitors, the same parts you see in some of the most exotic gear available. I'm tempted but i want high res audio which as i've already said it can't do.
squasher100
Well-known member
I have a Bel Canto USB Link unit and it crapped out it 6 months. Sending it back for service. It did sound good while it lasted.... I have read good things about the Halide USB unit (ref computer audiophile website among others).
halide usb? Thanks i'll look into it.
i've just checked out the halide and i like what i see. Thanks again for the tip. The halide usb is now at the top of my list.
amey01
Well-known member
I've heard good reports about the Bel Canto. But seriously Dan - this is not how I'd be getting digital audio to a hi-fi system. The major flaw with this approach is that you've got your computer in your listening room. I'd be looking for a specialist device such as a Squeezebox, Sonos, etc that will connect over the network to your hi-fi. That way, you can keep the computer in another room, and it also gives you some better control options.
you're possibly right here but i'd have to go significantly higher up the ladder than a meagre (no offence intended) sonos or squeezebox to beat the sound quality of a mac mini or acer w500 tablet routed through a quality usb converter. To better them i'd probably have to look at something like a naim hdx or a Bitperfect Streamer/hard drive, unfortunately i havent got $8,000 to spend so they would be out of my price range. However i strongly believe i can get extremely close to that level using the computers. I mean if lots of magazine reviewers are using plain old computers in their reference hifi system then that's good enough for me.
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tsv_1
Well-known member
Adam,
That's one reason I bought my Olive... I agree with not wanting to have fan noise in my listening room during, well, listening. However, My listening room doubles as my home office and, for the time being, there ain't no changin' things around. So, when critical listening sessions spring up... my computers go sleepy-bye.
I know you're not sold on an Olive-like solution, but I gotta tell ya, I am seriously lovin' that box!
Cheers
Audioseduction
Well-known member
What's the issue keeping your PC "Music Server" in the same room as your listening room?
Below is a dedicated music server I've configured today and it’s VERY quite! Even the crickets outside chirping are louder then it. I’m currently using the usb port but will be using the built-in RCA SPDIF so I can play up to 24bit/192khz once I recieve my referance dac. Using the usb max is 24bit/96khz.
Below is a dedicated music server I've configured today and it’s VERY quite! Even the crickets outside chirping are louder then it. I’m currently using the usb port but will be using the built-in RCA SPDIF so I can play up to 24bit/192khz once I recieve my referance dac. Using the usb max is 24bit/96khz.
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amey01
Well-known member
For me it is two-fold:
1: Noise: from Hard disk, fan, etc.
2: Control: Controlling from a PC cabled to a hi-fi system is rudimentary. I guess there are some control options to alleviate this.
I guess there is a third, but I haven't proved it from listening, research or otherwise
3: Electrical noise generated by the PC, sitting in your equipment rack.
amey01
Well-known member
I'm not sold on the Olive because of its hard disk and stand-alone, non-connected approach and architecture. Still, I appreciate it has its place.
amey01
Well-known member
I understand. But honestly - I don't know about that - I think you'd be surprised. Your DAC will be the ultimate dictator of sound quality. What is your DAC - The TacT? Part of the greatness of the HDX (et al) is the integrated DAC. You would be wasting a lot of money if you connected that to the TacT.
Of course, a Squeezebox or Sonos with its internal DAC is pretty mediocre as well. But to an external DAC? I'm not too sure there would be too much difference between it and something like the HDX.
User211
Well-known member
MF V-LINK. Check the Stereophile review. Measures bang on, costs nowt, really. I use one and it's fine. You can pay more, but it won't be any better than measuring bang on. Won't do more than 96KHz, though.
tsv_1
Well-known member
Sorry... couldn't let this one go...
I don't consider 1000base-T, 802.11n, integrated internet radio, multi-room expansion, and simple PC access to be a "non-connected approach"... and it's HDD is totally inaudible. But I appreciate your appreciation for it's place nonetheless.
(and I know - you want wireless streaming from your PC/Server... I get it
)Lawrence OLIViEr
My tact preamp (plus internal dac) is modified to the b0ll0cks. Every single capacitor inside it has been replaced with 'black gates' and i mean all of them including all the caps on the dac card. In total there must be around 100 black gate capacitors in it ranging from their mid range 'fk' series up to the top of the range red coloured 'nx' series. The sound of the built in dac card is that good the guy from 'aberdeen components' (anthony padilla) has basically stolen it from me. I sent it to him nearly half a year ago for repairs and he won't give it back to me.
User211
Well-known member
Er.. I hope that's a friendly "won't give it back"
Otherwise - tell him about the lawer.. I hope that's a friendly "won't give it back":d otherwise - tell him about the law
actually it's a big serious ''he won't give it back''. He's ignored all my emails and telephone messages asking for it back. Even the owner of tact audio has asked him to give it back to me twice now and anthony just told him ''yes i'll give it back'' but still nothing i've recently contacted the las vegas 'attorney generals' office and they are currently looking into the matter. I'm not happy.
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