Wanted - USB to SP/DIF (RCA) convertor

[Lawrence001]

What sounds good (good enough to feed a Metrum Octave) but doesn't break the bank?

Edit: can't change the title but the eagle eyed amongst you would know I meant S/PDIF!

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[Boyse6748]

Look at IfI kit, not super cheap but fantastic kit ( especially for what you want).



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[Lawrence001]

Look at IfI kit, not super cheap but fantastic kit ( especially for what you want).



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Had an itube it was a nice piece of kit, but I'd like to save money and get used (or get something better for my money depending on how you look at it).

[Boyse6748]

No worries,,,, there loads of cheap Tat on ebay[emoji41] Sorry but the Ifi is one of the best converters out there.


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[Edward]

Dennis has a Matrix converter for sale (http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?56691-For-Sale-Matrix-X-SPDIF-USB-asynchronous-24-192-converter).

Looks well built and good spec - but beyond that I've no idea on it.

I use to use a Musical Fidelity VLink 192 which was stunning. But they no longer made and now go for lots. Also try a Gustard which has a good rep. Tom use to have one.

In any event if you are using Windows make sure there is a driver available for whatever you get. This is especially for Windows 10 and you wish to output at 24/192. The later versions of Windows 10 (creators update) may recognise and install automatically - but it 'depends'. Mac is fine.

[oceanobsession]

empirical audio off ramp 4 £175 on pfm

[Lawrence001]

No worries,,,, there loads of cheap Tat on ebay[emoji41] Sorry but the Ifi is one of the best converters out there.


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Don't get me wrong I'd like to get one, but it just depends if someone wants to sell one, as I said I'm after a used device.

[Lawrence001]

Dennis has a Matrix converter for sale (http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?56691-For-Sale-Matrix-X-SPDIF-USB-asynchronous-24-192-converter).

Looks well built and good spec - but beyond that I've no idea on it.

I use to use a Musical Fidelity VLink 192 which was stunning. But they no longer made and now go for lots. Also try a Gustard which has a good rep. Tom use to have one.

In any event if you are using Windows make sure there is a driver available for whatever you get. This is especially for Windows 10 and you wish to output at 24/192. The later versions of Windows 10 (creators update) may recognise and install automatically - but it 'depends'. Mac is fine.

Good point Edward, I hadn't considered that. Do you know anything about Vortexbox and its compatibility?

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[Edward]

Good point Edward, I hadn't considered that. Do you know anything about Vortexbox and its compatibility?

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Sorry Lawrence never used a Vortexbox nor have I researched it.

[Lawrence001]

As usual I'll jump in first and keep my fingers crossed!

I'm keeping an eye on that matrix convertor thanks, I'd like to set what else is out there first.

[Lawrence001]

empirical audio off ramp 4 £175 on pfm

Thanks for that Phil, I'm struggling to find it, is it in the trade section?

[jandl100]

The best I have heard is a Halide Bridge.
Pretty damn awesome sq!
It leaves the cheaper Chinese converters trailing in its wake by a mile.

I've 2. :)

One with BNC connector (http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?56078-FS-Halide-Bridge-USB-to-BNC-read-in-full!&highlight=halide) is up for sale in the classifieds. Use it with an RCA adapter if required. It can be somewhat iffy to get it to work sometimes, a bit of cable jiggling required.
You can borrow it to try if you want, Lawrence.

[oceanobsession]

Hi its in private classifieds page six bottom of the page the guy is called the timinator search his posts its for sale there under mQuality Power Supplies and Digital clearout
Discussion in 'classifieds' started by Thetiminator, Jan 30, 2018. the advert is on here also

cheers phil .

[Lawrence001]

The best I have heard is a Halide Bridge.
Pretty damn awesome sq!
It leaves the cheaper Chinese converters trailing in its wake by a mile.

I've 2. :)

One with BNC connector (http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?56078-FS-Halide-Bridge-USB-to-BNC-read-in-full!&highlight=halide) is up for sale in the classifieds. Use it with an RCA adapter if required. It can be somewhat iffy to get it to work sometimes, a bit of cable jiggling required.
You can borrow it to try if you want, Lawrence.Thanks for that Jerry I'll definitely consider your offer, though I do need RCA and I know the need for jiggling will drive me nuts after a while!

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[Lawrence001]

Hi its in private classifieds page six bottom of the page the guy is called the timinator search his posts its for sale there under mQuality Power Supplies and Digital clearout
Discussion in 'classifieds' started by Thetiminator, Jan 30, 2018. the advert is on here also

cheers phil .

That's Phil am investigating.

[jandl100]

Thanks for that Jerry I'll definitely consider your offer, though I do need RCA and I know the need for jiggling will drive me nuts after a while!

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Well,usually, once it is successfully jiggled it stays that way until you disturb it again and then sometimes it has to be re-jiggled. :)
But - whatever - just try it to see if you want one.
I think they sound pretty damn amazing.
It's a real eye- and ear- opener how much you are losing using other USB/SPDIF converters - including, presumably, those normally resident in USB-input DACs.

[Lawrence001]

Didn't see the price reduction on the off ramp just looked at the first post, would have bought it if I'd known :(

[omsoc]

+1 for the Halide Bridge, I use one occasionally when I want to connect my Macbook to the system.

Only negative is 24/96 limit depending on your files.

[Lawrence001]

Well,usually, once it is successfully jiggled it stays that way until you disturb it again and then sometimes it has to be re-jiggled. :)
But - whatever - just try it to see if you want one.
I think they sound pretty damn amazing.
It's a real eye- and ear- opener how much you are losing using other USB/SPDIF converters - including, presumably, those normally resident in USB-input DACs.

I take your point and as always you are very generous offering to lend stuff, I've got my eye on something right now, if it's not exactly to my taste I might take you up for a comparison. At the moment I wouldn't know how good it is not having heard another convertor in my system.

[mido]

I take your point and as always you are very generous offering to lend stuff, I've got my eye on something right now, if it's not exactly to my taste I might take you up for a comparison. At the moment I wouldn't know how good it is not having heard another convertor in my system.

I can bring a couple over for you to have a listen to at some point.

[Lawrence001]

I can bring a couple over for you to have a listen to at some point.

Cool thanks didn't realise you had one after the Audiophileo.

[mido]

Cool thanks didn't realise you had one after the Audiophileo.

Yeah, I sometimes wish I'd kept that. Story of my life!

Anyway, I have a couple and have also owned a couple more including the Halide bridge that Jerry likes, so I can give you my opinion on them all.

[westsidejon]

Hi

I'm about to put an Singxer F1 in the private exhibitions if you are interested?

[Lawrence001]

Yes interested will Pm

[Freddypipsqueek]

The Singzer F1 is pretty well state of the art at the mo (I've used and still use, AP2, Off ramp 3, XMOS etc) but does need an external PSU to sound its best.

[bumpy]

The Singzer F1 is pretty well state of the art at the mo (I've used and still use, AP2, Off ramp 3, XMOS etc) but does need an external PSU to sound its best.

It may be state of the art in terms of facilities, but not in terms of SQ.

[Lawrence001]

I have to say, purely in terms of discount to original selling price the off ramp seemed like a bargain, but when technology moves so fast it's hard to know if a cheaper recent product will outperform a pricier older product, or be compatible with later, or older but upgraded, devices

[Freddypipsqueek]

"It may be state of the art in terms of facilities, but not in terms of SQ."

What facilities ?. USB in - SPDIF out ? That's it ? certainly it is for me at 44.1 CD rips.

To me its pretty well as good as it gets at the moment. Having used an Off-ramp 3, AP2 etc I would much prefer the F1 but, of course that's just an opinion.

What are you saying is better ?. That would help the original poster.

I would stress - it is important to have dedicated PSU (usually 5v injection) with most converters.

[mongeddavid]

I have a full stack HiFace Evo if interested Convertor Clock and battery power supply

[bumpy]

"It may be state of the art in terms of facilities, but not in terms of SQ."

What facilities ?. USB in - SPDIF out ? That's it ? certainly it is for me at 44.1 CD rips.

To me its pretty well as good as it gets at the moment. Having used an Off-ramp 3, AP2 etc I would much prefer the F1 but, of course that's just an opinion.

What are you saying is better ?. That would help the original poster.

I would stress - it is important to have dedicated PSU (usually 5v injection) with most converters.

At about £300 it would be very naive to think it can't be bettered, but of course that costs you more money. ��

[Lawrence001]

I have a full stack HiFace Evo if interested Convertor Clock and battery power supply

Pm sent thanks