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PCI Soundcard or USB/SPDIF Converter?

post #1 of 7
10/20/10 at 9:51am
Thread Starter 

I would like to play audio off my computer and send it to an external DAC that has both USB and coax S/PDIF inputs (probably the Lavry DA-11).  I've read the 6moons review, where the reviewer noted substantially better sound quality using a USB/SPDIF converter, rather than plugging in directly via USB.

 

My question is:  If I have a high-quality PCI soundcard with coax output (like the M Audio 192 or HT Omega Claro), and feed that output to the external DAC, will that sound better than using a comparably-priced USB-to-SPDIF converter (like the M2Tech HiFace)?  And what if money isn't an issue, would a more expense USB-to-SPDIF converter likely sound better than using the coax output of a soundcard?

 

It would seem to me that using the soundcard as a direct transport of a coax digital signal would degrade the sound less than a USB/SPDIF converter, but I don't know much.  Thanks in advance for any thoughts or suggestions.

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post #2 of 7
10/20/10 at 3:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dj nellie View Post

My question is:  If I have a high-quality PCI soundcard with coax output (like the M Audio 192 or HT Omega Claro), and feed that output to the external DAC, will that sound better than using a comparably-priced USB-to-SPDIF converter (like the M2Tech HiFace)?  And what if money isn't an issue, would a more expense USB-to-SPDIF converter likely sound better than using the coax output of a soundcard?


S/Pdif out from a sound card is a better option than going straight USB into a DAC that has a poor USB implementation (all 16/44 limited DACs and some of the 24/96 ones). As for a $150 sound card vs. the Hiface, that's a good question. The Hiface has some definite limitations performance wise compared to more expensive converters, but it can be improved considerably with battery power (talk to Regal about that).

 

If you're able to spend $500+, there are a lot more options to consider. There's the $500 ART Legato converter, which should easily outperform any mainstream sound card, and probably a Lynx AES 16 as well. The only downside is that it's limited to 16/44, no high-res. If you want the best performance possible, there's the Wavelength WaveLink HS at $900, the Weiss INT-202 at $1800, and the Empiracle Pace-car USB at $1650+. Frankly if you're looking at spending more than $1,000 on a converter, I would suggest choosing a different DAC that has proper USB support built in - like the Ayre QB-9 or the W4S DAC-2.

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post #3 of 7
10/21/10 at 9:08am

It really depends on the quality of the units being tested.  Many soundcards have lower quality S/Pdif outputs in comaprison to external USB/Sp/dif units with jitter improvement circuitry.

There are a few of use aroudn that use USB isolators also.  This provides galavanic isolation between the USB port and the DAC as the quality of the power in the USB port is a main question along with the quality of the signal.  Find a unit that provides jitter improvment and use a USB isolator and you have a nice S/Pdif output for your external DAC's.

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post #4 of 7
10/22/10 at 7:33am
Thread Starter 

DaveBSC, thanks for the very informative reply.  So is it your belief that a high-end DAC with built-in USB support, namely either the W4S DAC-2, Lavry DA-11, or QB-9, would sound better directly out of USB than a decent quality USB/SPDIF converter would sound ouputting to those same DACs' coax input?

 

In other words, are USB/SPDIF converters, even the high-end, well-powered ones, generally best used for DACs that don't accept USB input?  Or could they potentially be better than those 3 DACs with built-in USB support?

 

I'm looking for 24/96 (ideally 192) sampling, and total cost (for DAC and converter) of $2000 or less.

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post #5 of 7
10/22/10 at 8:10am

There are more and more of the "high end" DACs coming with asynchronous USB or Firewire interfaces now.  I view the "converters" as items to be purchased if you have an existing DAC that you like, yet has no USB, or inferior USB in the DAC.  I got the Halide Bridge to use with my Digital Link III DAC which is voiced the way I like it in my balanced headphone rig.  I found an increased clarity and separation as compared to the optical SPDIF I was using from my iMac.

 

I think a LOT of attention has been given to computer audiophile since I started this game several years back. Many of the better DACs are being released with USB input.  If you pick one with the Wavelength, or CEntrance code, you are at the current state of the art.  I have the W4S DAC2 in my speaker rig, using the async USB (uses a driver, so I don't think its one of the other 2) and really prefer it.  The optical out of my MacPro was a lot closer in this setup.

 

From the reviews I read, you won't go wrong with any of the 3 DACs you mentioned above.  I chose the DAC2 based on how they voice the DAC, a bit on the relaxed side.  The QB-9 is doing well in the reviews, but cost more than the DAC2, and has no other inputs besides the USB.  I like to have a SPDIF input for my CD player.  Back then the QB-9 did not do 192, but I read an upgrade was nearly there.

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post #6 of 7
10/22/10 at 12:34pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks for giving your impressions.  I'm definitely leaning towards the DAC-2 now, you say it has a relaxed presentation but most reviews I've seen have generally said it is more detail-oriented rather than laid-back.  Can you give any more thoughts on how it sounds to you?

 

Also, do you listen to the DAC-2 with your UE10s at all (through an adapter)?  One drawback of the DAC-2 for me is that I'd like to have a single-ended option to plug in my JH16s, but I guess I can get an XLR adapter or a balanced cable.  If you have plugged in your UE10s, are there hiss or channel imbalance issues?

 

Finally, how's the amp on the DAC-2?  Have you tried plugging your HD800s directly into the XLR output, and if so how's the sound?  Good enough that you don't need an external amp? 

 

Thanks.

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post #7 of 7
1/12/11 at 3:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ROBSCIX View Post

It really depends on the quality of the units being tested. Many soundcards have lower quality S/Pdif outputs in comaprison to external USB/Sp/dif units with jitter improvement circuitry.

There are a few of use aroudn that use USB isolators also. This provides galavanic isolation between the USB port and the DAC as the quality of the power in the USB port is a main question along with the quality of the signal. Find a unit that provides jitter improvment and use a USB isolator and you have a nice S/Pdif output for your external DAC's.




I got more deep understanding about this part, Thanks for your effort!
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