The Best USB or Firewire to SPDIF or AES/EBU converters

JackD201 · Mar 17, 2011

Nomination Time!

Categories are Bang for the Buck and Cost No Object

Ummm. I have no nominations. I'm looking for recommendations (Bang for the Buck) actually

RBFC · Mar 17, 2011

Bang for the buck should probably go to the M2Tech HiFace. $150, compatible up to 24/192. USB > SPDIF

Lee

garylkoh · Mar 17, 2011

I didn't like the sound of the original HiFace, but the $500 HiFace EVO is as good as the $2000 Weiss INT202. However, the INT202 has a remote volume control.

But bang for buck (for me anyway) goes to the Turtle Beach Advantage Micro II - $25.

The biggest difference between all these interfaces is jitter. Next, galvanic isolation. So, which you choose will be extremely DAC dependent.

JackD201 · Mar 18, 2011

Hi Ben,

Currently, all my files are either 320 MP3 or AAC. Almost 8,000 songs half ripped, half bought starting in 2000. The music is just for background music. My wife and I entertain a lot. So I'm actually not on the Hi-Rez bandwagon yet. I'm still waiting to see how things shape up so I don't want to spend a lot of money on what is really a lossy library. I don't know what sampling rate the industry will top out at. My Emm can only take up to 24/96 but it looks like there's a chance of 192 or higher. Serious "me time" listening is about 85% LP and 14% CD and 1% SACD. I have a tiny SACD library at probably less than a hundred titles. Thanks for the suggestion though! I've always been an early adopter but I'm trying to take it slow this time. I got burned by the SACD thing I guess. It's not that there weren't many titles out there, just not all too many I liked enough. Ouch.

amirm · Mar 29, 2011

Ben said:
The long awaited Berkeley Audio converter:

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/c...gn-Announces-Alpha-USB-Asynchronous-Interface

Darn it. That is the dealer memo which we also got, including the big bold letters saying "Confidential." I guess those words had no meaning to one of their dealers.

Anyway, we have one on order and should it get in the next four weeks. I will report back including comparison to Audiophileo.

JackD201 · Mar 29, 2011

Any news on what's inside the Sonicweld 192? Looks like a lot of dough just for the admittedly cool looking exterior. Price is in the range of the Alpha.

Emre Üçöz · Apr 30, 2012

how about Soulution 590 usb converter?

Vincent Kars · Apr 30, 2012

Bang for the buck: Behringer U-CONTROL UCA202 $45
AD+DA

I would look for async USB
A couple of converters can be found here: http://thewelltemperedcomputer.com/HW/USB_SPDIF.htm

garylkoh · Apr 30, 2012

I think that the best bang for the buck that will go up to 24/192 is the April Music Stello U3. I had the original Signature DAC, and that was probably the best USB DAC I tried 3 years ago.

Phelonious Ponk · Apr 30, 2012

I use the Trends that's near the bottom of Vincent's list. It has bit-rate limitations that won't mean much if, like me, you don't do hi-res. Runs on USB or battery power. It sounds terrific, by which I mean it has no sonic signature that I can hear.

It isolates, re-clocks, converts USB to optical, coax or AES/EBU and costs less than $200. It even has a 16/44.1 DAC built in. I don't use it, but there it is.

Tim

asiufy · May 4, 2012

I have a Musical Fidelity V-Link 192, and I believe it's quite a good deal at $399...
I've put it up against the DCS Puccini U-Clock, both plugged via SPDIF on the DCS Paganini DAC, and while the differences are there, they're not really all that noticeable, specially if you consider the U-Clock costs $5k.
So, good deal on this one...

alexandre

Brucemck2 · May 6, 2012

The Empirical Audio OffRamps are terrific USB to SPDIF converters

http://www.empiricalaudio.com/products/off-ramp-converter

flez007 · May 13, 2012

garylkoh said:
I think that the best bang for the buck that will go up to 24/192 is the April Music Stello U3. I had the original Signature DAC, and that was probably the best USB DAC I tried 3 years ago.

I have this one! - works fine for me!

Audioseduction · May 30, 2012

Cost No Object Categories I say Wavelength WaveLink HS 24/192 USB to SPDIF Converter.

adamaley · Feb 20, 2018

On the high-end of the spectrum, a Mutec MC3+ USB. On the lower end, a Schiit Eitr, or the newly introduced Sonore UltraDigital.

Empirical Audio · Feb 20, 2018

In shootouts, the Berkeley has won in the past. My Off-Ramp6 is in the same league, but it only does I2S output right now.

Off-Ramp 5 has S/DIF and AES/EBU as well as I2S outputs.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

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The Best USB or Firewire to SPDIF or AES/EBU converters

JackD201

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RBFC

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