Alpha USB vs. Off Ramp 5

preproman

New Member
Dec 8, 2012
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I'm trying to get a pretty good USB converter to go with my 2 DACS. PWDII and Buffalo III http://pbandjaudio.blogspot.com/ The Buffalo was made without a USB input. The PWDII has a pretty good one. I really need it for the Buffalo and if it improves on what the PWDII offers that's even better.

Any recommendations or has anyone compared these two head to head? Thanks..
 
I only have access to the Berkeley so can't provide any objective comparisons as far as sound quality. The review I have read for Off Ramp 4 shows excellent fidelity, besting lower cost options like the Halide. Not sure what is changed in version 5. Perhaps we can look inside them to get insight on build quality. Here is Off Ramp 4 (I assume v. 5 is the same from this point of view):

1211emp.inside.jpg


Here is the Berkeley:

berkeley_alpha_usb_001.jpg


A few differences:

1. The berkeley is anal about separating the "digital" USB side from the S/PDIF and AES audio interfaces. It is the part of PC Board on the right and you see the clear line separating it from the other side with that tall gray module. Due to narrow box size, the Off Ramp puts the USB interface on a daughter card on top of the audio interface. So all else equal, there could be more leakage due to physical proximity.

2. The Berkeley has the power supply on board. It is a simple linear design, again kept separate from the rest. The Off Ramp uses either USB power or wall-wart. There is a bit of convenience here in not having a separate power supply.

In the past, the comparisons I have done between async USBs show them to have very close performance. So if there is a difference between these, it will likely be small.

Not sure this was helpful but I thought I share what I found :).

P.S. My company carries the Berkeley and the designers are friends. So assume what you have read is biased :).
 
Thanks Amirm,

The OR5 looks impressive but kinda bunched up. While the Berkeley looks simple and clean.

The Berkeley's design sounds impressive. While the OR5 design sounds simple.
 

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