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Which USB--->SPDIF do you recommend?

post #1 of 26
4/8/11 at 8:52am
Thread Starter 

I'm looking to get a signal from my laptop to my home theatre receiver (B&K Ref 70). I have no clue what DAC it has but i assume it is decent. Anyhow, i'm overwhelmed with choices. Here's what i've found so far. I'd be listening to MP3's and CD's i've ripped to my laptop.

 

1. HagUSB. Pretty sure this one is 16 bit only but has good reviews.  http://www.hagtech.com/hagusb.html

2. Firestone Bravo. 24 bit. http://www.audiophileproducts.com/bravo

3. Halide Design Bridge. Asynchronous USB. http://www.halidedesign.com/bridge/

4. BEHRINGER UCA222. Only has optical out which i'm not a fan of. http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/UCA222.aspx

5. Stello U2. http://www.aprilmusic.com/main/sub02_03_02.html

5. Then a whole page listed here but i dont want to spend more than a few hundred dollars: http://thewelltemperedcomputer.com/HW/USB_SPDIF.htm

 

So yes, lots of options. I'm looking for the best value. Most of the MP3's i have sound like garbage anyway. Thats not to say i wont listed to some higher bit rate music if i can find it, and my ripped CD's.

 

 

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post #2 of 26
4/8/11 at 9:00am
The M2Tech HiFace seems to get a lot of praise around here. Never tried it out myself though..
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post #3 of 26
4/8/11 at 9:10am
Thread Starter 

Thank you. I checked it out and was turned off by this review:

 

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/M2Tech-hiFace-Asynchronous-USB-SPDIF-Converter-Review

 

The Stello U2 has good magazine reviews, but I'd like to hear from some users. Also i dont think it's asynchronous (if that really matters).

 

 

 

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post #4 of 26
4/8/11 at 9:36am


That is one bad review out of dozens of great reviews.

/me shrugs

 

You should also consider Musiland Monitor 01

 

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by grandmasteryyc View Post

Thank you. I checked it out and was turned off by this review:

 

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/M2Tech-hiFace-Asynchronous-USB-SPDIF-Converter-Review

 

The Stello U2 has good magazine reviews, but I'd like to hear from some users. Also i dont think it's asynchronous (if that really matters).

 

 

 



 

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post #5 of 26
4/8/11 at 1:17pm

Halide Bridge is more refined than the HiFace so that would be my suggestion (one downside is that it goes up to 24/96 only). Although a bit pricey for what it is, you pay for the technology as well, not just the hardware.

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post #6 of 26
4/8/11 at 3:16pm
Thread Starter 

Musiland Monitor 01 USD is interesting.

 

If you had to pick between the Musiland Monitor 01 / 02, or the Firestone Bravo ????

 

 

 

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post #7 of 26
4/12/11 at 3:58pm


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by grandmasteryyc View Post

Thank you. I checked it out and was turned off by this review:

 

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/M2Tech-hiFace-Asynchronous-USB-SPDIF-Converter-Review

 

The Stello U2 has good magazine reviews, but I'd like to hear from some users. Also i dont think it's asynchronous (if that really matters).

 

 

 


I'm sure there are better converters out there, but the hiface is a significant improvement compared to the optical output on my mac mini.  The Hiface sounds much better to me and are available used for a little more than a hundred bucks.  I think the reviewer had issues with some of the early drivers.  

 

I'm hoping Halide makes a 24/192 capable converter without the need for drivers.  I appreciate that the usb cable, coax cable and converter are one unit and designed to work together. No need to go experimenting with different usb or digital cables.

 


Edited by johsti - 4/12/11 at 4:00pm
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post #8 of 26
4/12/11 at 7:22pm
Thread Starter 

I ordered the Musiland Monitor 02. I like the fact it has external power, plus analog/headphone out should i need that someday. Also, based on numerous positive user reviews, and the 125$ USD price tag, i figured i cant go wrong, especially with me listening to mostly MP3's. Given this technology will be perfected, i'd rather not go overboard, as these devices are bound to vastly improve in a year or two. Plus after a few glasses of wine I probably can't tell the difference between the Halide and the analog headphone out on my laptop :)

 

Also ordered a home raid storage device so i can properly backup my music and have space to rip some of my cd's which just sit on a shelf and should be in use.

 

I'll post a review along with associated hardware.

 

 


Edited by grandmasteryyc - 4/12/11 at 7:25pm
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post #9 of 26
4/12/11 at 9:36pm

Another option is the Musical Fidelity V-Link (http://www.musicalfidelity.com/products/V-Series/V-LINK/v-link.asp).  There's a thread about it here: http://www.head-fi.org/forum/newestpost/537080

I'm currently using it with my Rega DAC and found it very good.  There's a review of the V-Link in the April 2011 issue of Stereophile.  It's also in their Recommended Components list (same issue) under Class A, same category as the Halide Bridge.  The review did compared the V-Link to the Halide Bridge:

 

"Well, as much as I would have liked to say that the $169 V-Link equaled the $450 Halide, with the Sibelius symphony the Halide did provide a slightly more transparent window on the Walthamstow Town Hall acoustic, with slightly more precisely defined stereo imaging.  (Although, if I had to swear, the Halide's bass sounded a little less rich.) Reverting to the expensive glass AudioQuest TosLink did even matters up, the V-Link still sounding slightly richer than the Halide and the Halide still ahead in precision and transparency. But these are small differences in absolute terms- and with a DAC that offer better jitter rejection than the Benchmark, those differences may well vanish." (Stereophile, Vol 34, No. 4; April 2011, p 167).

 

If you get the V-Link, don't forget to get a good coaxial or optical cable and USB cable.  Be warned that with these extra cables, the total price can be more expensive than the Halide Bridge.  On the other hand, the V-Link will give you the opportunity to try out different digital and USB cables. 

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post #10 of 26
4/12/11 at 11:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by lmf22 View Post


 

If you get the V-Link, don't forget to get a good coaxial or optical cable and USB cable. 

 

>> What means "good"??



 

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post #11 of 26
4/13/11 at 10:09pm

I use the Blackcat Veloce coaxial cable ($123) and the Wireworld Silver Starlight USB (1 meter, $300).

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post #12 of 26
4/13/11 at 10:36pm

And what is the good thing of these cables? Are there significant differences except the price?

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post #13 of 26
4/14/11 at 10:28am
Thread Starter 

I like belden 1694A with good connectors. If broadcast and audio studios use it, i figure it can't be all that bad.

 

For the price, you can't beat blue jeans cables with canare connectors.

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post #14 of 26
4/14/11 at 10:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by grandmasteryyc View Post

I like belden 1694A with good connectors. If broadcast and audio studios use it, i figure it can't be all that bad.

 

For the price, you can't beat blue jeans cables with canare connectors.


Thats right :). Next I will make some ICs myself using either the Belden 8412 or Belden 89259 because it will be even cheaper as bought ready terminated..

 

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post #15 of 26
4/15/11 at 2:18pm

I tried both the hiface and the modified hiface and I find that the Audio-GD Digital Interface is much better.

http://audio-gd.com/Pro/dac/USBface/Digital1EN.htm

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