USB to SPDIF Converters

[BlueMax]

Thinking of buying a pair of active monitors with built in DAC. Models from the pro audio world looks good value and spec.
I currently use a PC to stream via its USB out to a DAC with optical input with an M-Audio Transit USB to optical converter in between.
Better quality pro audio active speakers that I know of do not have optical or USB inputs.

USB to SPDIF converters such as 2Tech Hiface are over £100 and bit over my budget.
Saw these USB to SPDIF converters at eBay.
Photos and specs there are impressive.

- TE7022 24Bit 96Khz USB To Coaxial Converter I2S IIS + USB line
TE7022 from TENOR with 24bit/96Khz output,
"You can hear something different from with CM102/108 or PCM2705/2706"
US$28 eBay seller 'diyeshop-668'

- TE7022 USB To Coaxial WM8761 USB Sound Card
Support 24 BIT-96 KHZ USB2.0
TE7022 USB To coaxial + analog audio output
US$32 eBay seller 'along1986090'

Any views on these or similar priced converters?
Also and ideas on alternative methods to connect a USB to a DAC with only electrical digital inputs?
Thanks!

[howardc1951]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CREATIVE-TECHNOLOGY-Sound-Blaster-Live-24-bit-/320860806396?pt=UK_Computing_ComputerComponents_So undCards&hash=item4ab4cb5cfc

I've used one of these for years to connect the USB output on the computer to first of all a Beresford DAC and then an Onkyo DVD receiver with digital inputs. Not as good as my current Caiman's USB input of course but certainly not bad. You don't have to use the 5.1 outputs of course.

[BlueMax]

Thanks howardc1951
I had a USB Sound Blaster Audigy 2 NX connected between PC USB and a Audioengine 5. Don't know how it compares with 'proper' DACs but it sounded fine with the humble 'non hi-fi' Audioengines.
It only had analog ouputs. Sound Blaster Live! 24 bit that you had, is probably a later model with electrical digital output for a DAC.
Creative Labs, the manufacturer, though a well known mass market player, is rarely mentioned in hi-fi circles.
But I will certainly check it out.

[sburrell]

Hey.


Thinking of buying a pair of active monitors with built in DAC.

Whilst I'm somewhat aware of the reasoning behind active speakers (I believe it allows for tuning of the interaction so that you get as flat a response as possible, amongst other things) I'm less aware of a reason why you'd want to have a built-in DAC - well, at least sonically. Is it a space- or money-saving measure, or is there actually a sonic reason for this?

More curious than anything else :)

[bostod]

i use this middle of the price range usb converter.
Teralink-X2 Native 24bit/96k USB to SPDIF/I2S Converter
You can also buy a matching power supply to go with it for not much more that improves the sound further.
if you can afford it, this is a good starting point. many good reviews on the internet too. Still uses the 7022 chip

[twelvebears]

i use this middle of the price range usb converter.
Teralink-X2 Native 24bit/96k USB to SPDIF/I2S Converter
You can also buy a matching power supply to go with it for not much more that improves the sound further.
if you can afford it, this is a good starting point. many good reviews on the internet too. Still uses the 7022 chip

The only thing to keep in mind with the Teralink is that it only has one clock which 'natively' works at 96k and 48k sampling frequencies, rather than two which would do 44.1/88.2 and then 48/96.

It just means that it's always having to resample any files which aren't 48k or 96k.

Admittedly more expensive converters will have multiple chips so that this isn't necessary.

My little Fiio E10 headphone amp is also a USB to COAX converter (no S/PDIF) and is in the same boat, and it is definitely less happy playing 88.2 files.

In fairness through the Teralink is a good price and seems popular, so not exactly a big risk.

[BlueMax]

Hey.Whilst I'm somewhat aware of the reasoning behind active speakers (I believe it allows for tuning of the interaction so that you get as flat a response as possible, amongst other things) I'm less aware of a reason why you'd want to have a built-in DAC - well, at least sonically. Is it a space- or money-saving measure, or is there actually a sonic reason for this?
More curious than anything else :)
I am no expert but few years ago used to spend a lot of time tweaking an M-Audio SuperDac 24/96. From my experience and that of some at the Yahoo! group for M-Audio SuperDac 24/96 , different op-amps gave different sounds. So I guess, if the DAC is part of an active speaker, the designer can match it with the amps and the speaker.
One problem with pro audio actives is that they don't have a volume control for both speakers. For home use built in DACs become unusable.
Then its back to using an external DAC and a pre-amp to feed analog inputs of the actives.

[nat8808]

I'd say the same regarding why include the DAC too - with conventional set-up you have an output stage on a dac that will have some output impedance and certain level of gain, then someone buys a pre they like that sounds best when seeing some certain impedance on it's inputs that could be anything and most likely has another gain stage too (who knows what low levels it will have to deal with) and then that pre has to interface again with an amp that might again like to see a different impedance on its inputs.

At least when the manufacturer includes the DAC it kind of cuts out a gain stage and they can match everything.

You could say that it also makes you buy their DAC too so that you're buying everything from just them..

Obviously it makes upgrading difficult and you need to be happy from the outset with the whole thing, not a box swapper.

[stu.dio]

Have you considered wireless? http://www.poppulse.com.hk/PopPulse%20PC-Link%202496Khz%20Wireless%20USB%20Digital%20Transp ort.html
Timing may be an issue but I can vouch for the quality of digital signal supplied by this device as I used to have one - but now I run a Touch.
Is there an ethernet to spdif (like 2 s/h duets)? possibly use the mains cable into your speakers to piggyback the network.

[BlueMax]

stu.dio, thanks for the link.
My PC is in one room and the hi-fi set up in another. I also have a few hi-res files of upto 24/88.2kHz. So PopPulse 24/96 Wireless device looks good.
Also saw Trends Audio. who few years ago made its name with its T-Amps, got a USB converter. Could't find any prices though.

I always wondered about the feasibility of using the ethernet and wireless LAN for audio streaming.
Read about the Aktimate Maxi powered speakers at
http://www.audioaffair.co.uk/Aktimate-Maxi-iPod-Active-Speakers-Pair/product_3366
It has ethernet and Wi Fi 802.11b/g.

Broadband routers with LAN connections are common place. Many BD players and smart/internet TVs hook upto them to stream audio and video files.
On the face of it, looks like a neat and not so expensive solution. I have only read about these things. Has anyone tried them for hi-fi ?!

[stu.dio]

2 of these may be out of your budget - http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=16542
but on the other hand you're getting wireless hires,syncability, DAB radio etc etc pre-amp - including not a bad dec straight out of the box - you can also have one of them on display so you can control the music or see whats playing - or display both - one for music control and another for a clock / or pics (and no I don't work for logitech) just a very easy way for your project to work well

[BlueMax]

stu.dio
is it the thread "1 day Logitech sale 35% off, incl. SB Touch" ?!

[stu.dio]

yep - get 2 of these - they will either act as a dec or feed your speakers inbuilt one. - or even better get these, a couple of class d amps and mod what you have. (I must admit not paying much attention to the budget you stated at the start - sorry) - still they would be great - and you'd save money not buying the active ones

[BlueMax]

Thanks everyone for ur comments and suggestions. :)
I have an Monarchy Audio DIP 48/96 Upsampler sitting unused.
It has format conversion (Opto to RCA, RCA to XLR etc.) For the time being, I decided to put that back into use with an M-Audio Transit (USB to optical).
The chain is PC > Wi-Fi router > Notebook > Transit > DIP > Actives using XLR.
In case anyone wondering what DIP is, here is the link
http://www.monarchyaudio.com/DIP_Upsampler_Main_Frame.htm

Not sure if using WiFi is bad or not :scratch:

[Reid Malenfant]

Thanks everyone for ur comments and suggestions. :)
I have an Monarchy Audio DIP 48/96 Upsampler sitting unused.
Get it used :) A superb bit of kit, I own one so I should know :D

Not sure if you know the dCS Purcell & Delius, but feeding those 24 bit audio at 96KHz from the DIP 48/96 (at 96KHz) & then converting it to DSD was the biggest revelation I have ever known :eyebrows:

Upsampling frequency is determined by a jumper inside the unit. 48 or 96KHz.

[BlueMax]

Monarchy Audio DIP 48/96 Upsampler is a rare commodity in the UK, so glad to know of another happy user :)
I haven't listened to dCS Purcell & Delius but I have a some hi-res music from HDtacks, FIM, MusicTrade and few others. DIP handles them well.
The actives are a pair is JBL LSR 4328 with a 24 Bit / 96kHz, 64x Over sampling DAC. One of the very few pro-audio actives with an easy use volume control.
They are very new to me; so too early to make comments.

[Reid Malenfant]

Not sure of the original price of the dCS stuff, but it was certainly over £10K the pair :eek: This little box of tricks made a hell of a lot of difference :eyebrows: Obviously I can't say it would otherwise as I'm using it in an odd way. I'm feeding the dCS stuff with 96Khz 24 bit material where as they are used to doing the upconversion.

They are then converting the 96KHz to DSD, which is very odd indeed as they'd only normally do 44.1KHz..

I have no idea at all what is going on. All I know is I tried the DIP48/96 feeding the dCS stuff at 48KHz & thought it better than the previously used DIP24/96. I listened for a day or so & then changed the jumper to the 96KHz setting & got blown away. It hasn't beeen altered since :lol:

[Yomanze]

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Not sure if using WiFi is bad or not :scratch:

WiFi is absolutely fine as long as the eventual output from PC to DAC is a solid USB to SPDIF connection, which there have already been lots of good recommendations in this thread.