USB Coax Converter - Page 2

What's not to like about it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by sterling1 

What's not to like about it?

I don't use or recommend Creative sound "cards" because the necessary software is unacceptable.

I am also looking at getting a good USB>S/PDIF converter, as my current onboard Coaxial out I am using is most likely not of great quality. I am currently mainly looking at the Audio-GD Digital Interface and Teralink-X2. Good thing about the Teralink-X2 is that it is affordable and I can also upgrade the PSU later on. The Audio-GD DI is quite expensive, especially once you get the power supply and the Coaxial version. I am just worried that if I purchased the Teralink-X2 and a decent <$40 USB cable to go with it I won't hear a difference between it and just onboard Coax to my Matrix Cube (using 99.99% pure silver 1.3M BNC cable with RCA adaptor at the computer's end). I would love to have the Audio-GD DI Coaxial version with power supply, but it is just way out of my price range unfortunately. Anything under $150 would be more like what I can spend. 

Hm.  This thread didn't reach closure and I have a bit of a related quandry.  

I have a Burson connected via USB, but it only supports 44.1, 48 and 96K via USB.  On the other hand, it has a coax S/PDIF connector.  

My source is a Mac, so I am looking for a good USB to Coax or Toslink to coax that can handle up to 24/192.  My motivation is that I have a lot of 88.2K source, and it gets downsampled to 44.1!  Sure wish Burson had a better USB chip than the Tenor, there really seems no reason I can get my DACPort to handle 88.2 and 96 but not the Burson.

Anyhow, the M2Tech is pricey, but looks like good gear.  It's also on backorder from their one US distributor.  Anyone have a good tip on a stable, affordable USB to coax or Toslink to coax adaptor?

Have you been through the Audio Mid Set-up settings to confirm what is going on?

Yes.  The Burson does not support 88.2.  I went and looked at the spec for the Tenor chip and it doesn't support that as a mode.  

Problem appears to be solved.  After a bit of research it looks like M2Tech HiFace is the way to go for USB -> coax S/PDIF.  At $150 it's bit pricey but it will make the system very flexible and is purported to have excellent output characteristics.  There are cheaper solutions from M-Audio but the M2Tech appears to do a solid job on jitter reduction, which is important...

I guess computer-based audio is still not for the faint of heart, at least if you're a perfectionist.  I can't imagine how anyone in my family would deal with this stuff.

I forgot about 88.2.  I'd be a bit cautious about the HiFace, as it requires software, but you may be ok.

Will check out the software question on HiFace, thanks.  

Someone suggested I look on the Onkyo NS-D1, but it's limited to 16/48 for USB to coax.  Cool product if you need digital out of an iPod, though.