spdif card for pc?

[Primalsea]

Off the top of my head I cant remember if Windows 7 has Exclusive mode in the Advanced tab of the Sound Card properties, Vista has it. I think this is reduces some latency as it allows other software to take control of the sound card.

Themis is probably right but you could have a look here http://www.asio4all.com/

Also if you find it all unsatisfactory you may want to look at a M-audio 24/96 sound card £55. I bought one a while ago and its very good. I only partly bought it for SPDIF output, I also wanted SPDIF input as I have a profession A/D converter that I want to use to record vinyl. M-Audio also do a 24/192 sound card as well but it over £100.

[alfie2902]

I would look into one of these http://www.m2tech.biz/products.html £100 from Keith at Purite!

Here's a few reviews etc

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/m2tech/hiface.html

http://www.hifiwigwam.com/view_topic...335&forum_id=7

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/usb...hiface-449885/

[The Vinyl Adventure]

That was my fist thought alfie... But the conclusion I came to was why go USB-spdif when I can go spdif direct? Dunno if that makes much sence ... But it seemed logical to me.....

[alfie2902]

The 'Hi-Face' a little USB to spdif convertor, with a difference. It uses Asynchronous USB to drive the spdif out, so everything is effectively very accurately re-clocked before being output to your DAC.

Alot of reading with the links above but they explain some things a little further!

[Themis]

That was my fist thought alfie... But the conclusion I came to was why go USB-spdif when I can go spdif direct? Dunno if that makes much sence ... But it seemed logical to me.....

It does makes sense to me: USB to S/PDIF converters are used for computers which lack S/PDIF.
Personally, I consider that any interface is potentially not perfect, so I avoid piling them up.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

for the geeks

Check how tidy izit



the rams in the blue sockets... Should it be in the balck ones... If 3gb is the max suported by 32 bit windos can (if I want to) just shuv another 1gb stick in one of the black sockets?

first computer I don't need a USB hub



compared to the last pc I built ... Slightly messier!!

[The Vinyl Adventure]

The 'Hi-Face' a little USB to spdif convertor, with a difference. It uses Asynchronous USB to drive the spdif out, so everything is effectively very accurately re-clocked before being output to your DAC.

Alot of reading with the links above but they explain some things a little further!

I shall have a more indepth read... The other more over riding reason for going for the spdif card was the near £100 difference in price ...

[Themis]

Very neat inside hamish, indeed ! *Much* better that the older one !

[alfie2902]

It does makes sense to me: USB to S/PDIF converters are used for computers which lack S/PDIF.
Personally, I consider that any interface is potentially not perfect, so I avoid piling them up.

I agree that USB to S/PDIF converters are used for computers which lack S/PDIF but with the 'Hi-Face' being Asynchronous USB there's advantages to be gained in reduced jitter! It may-be worth Hamish trying the direct S/PDIF & seeing how he gets on & in the future trying to get a loan of an 'Hi-Face' to see if he thinks it's an upgrade!

[alfie2902]

Hamish,

Your new PC is looking very nice & very tidy! I would think the air flow through the case is good? I like caddy drive bays too! very nice mate.