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Best DAC from $1500 to $2500 (or so) Can anything beat the Eastern Electric Minimax? - Page 16

post #226 of 252
9/24/12 at 1:21pm

Yes it is sort of the length but only as far as having the correct 75 ohm impedance.  SPDIF is very cable sensitive, much more than RCA

 This is quite an old article but still very valid http://www.tnt-audio.com/accessories/digitalcables_e.html Chris Sommovigo is one of the top cable designers for companies such as Stereovox and Black Cat

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Solude View Post

Once upon a time, think it was Wavelength wrote an article about spdif cable length.  Without boring people too much, the point was short=bad.  Which would suggest no cable=real bad ;)  Came down to the time it took for the reflection to reach the spdif output.  After Xft, the reflection doesn't affect its own output.  I believe its was 1.5m for 16.44.  24/192 would need less length.

 

Anyway thoughts?

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post #227 of 252
9/24/12 at 1:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Solude View Post

Really should start another thread but meh...

 

Having a hard time deciding on the USB 'transport'.  Most if not all XMOS build are the reference circuit with layout and part makers swaps.  Even the new HiFace2 is just the Stello U3 in miniature form without AES.  The AP2 is an interesting choice, but the more I research the more an AP2MkII seems needed and could very well be right around the corner.  The price is also steep given they aren't alone in the market anymore.  So XMOS HiFace2 at $185, full size XMOS at $255-495 or AP2 at $580.  Hiface means no usb cable, others no spdif.  Which brings up another point.  Once upon a time, think it was Wavelength wrote an article about spdif cable length.  Without boring people too much, the point was short=bad.  Which would suggest no cable=real bad ;)  Came down to the time it took for the reflection to reach the spdif output.  After Xft, the reflection doesn't affect its own output.  I believe its was 1.5m for 16.44.  24/192 would need less length.

 

Anyway thoughts?

 

Why dont you buy something like this? Its pure steal for its SQ:

 

http://luckit.biz/new/?tcp_product=waveio

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post #228 of 252
9/24/12 at 1:38pm

IF you can case it ;)

 

So far all the XMOS designs have the galvanic isolation.  Just a matter of their full size 500mips processor and large clocks or their mini 500mips processor and smaller clocks as well as dropping AES.  Basically the HiFace2 is a mini Anedio U2 but uses the clocks Stello did on proto boards...

 

 

 

Before changing to the default build...

 

 

And the m2tech Hiface 2..

 

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post #229 of 252
9/24/12 at 1:41pm

And finally the one I'm leaning towards because its full size, full featured and mid priced the MF VL 192...

 

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post #230 of 252
9/24/12 at 1:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Solude View Post

And finally the one I'm leaning towards because its full size, full featured and mid priced the MF VL 192...

 

Is the MF isolated? I know the previous VLink was not, don't know about this one.

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post #231 of 252
9/24/12 at 2:21pm

WaveIo should beat all these modules by its build quality, wise application, NDK clocks, which are close to Crystek clocks in specs, possibility of using both SPDiF and I2S connectors. It works flawless at Windows and Linux system. It would be even better with daughter board which could be soon (I  hope) available - that woould decrease jitter to minimum. You have also ability to power it up by external PSU - dont understand why would you like to have internal transport with all PC distortion in high end audio system.

All above devices look like compromise for higher price.
 

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post #232 of 252
9/24/12 at 2:42pm

I am using the Vlink192, it's a keeper! I also have the original Vlink and it's meh.

 

The 192's AES/EBU output means you don't have to decide between RCA and USB, and it's especially suitable when using the DAC's balanced outputs.


Edited by grokit - 9/24/12 at 2:44pm
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post #233 of 252
9/24/12 at 2:44pm

The WaveIO has no case and no connectors, non starter.

 

The two black cubes near the XLR on the MF are the transformers.

 

Would like to find a second source but I found a review that pegged the HiFace2 jitter at 2ns, ouch.

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post #234 of 252
9/24/12 at 4:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveBSC View Post

Is the MF isolated? I know the previous VLink was not, don't know about this one.

 

 

Price aside for the moment.  How does the V-Link 192 compare to the OffRamp-5?  

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post #235 of 252
9/24/12 at 6:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by grokit View Post

I am using the Vlink192, it's a keeper! I also have the original Vlink and it's meh.

 

Interesting part is MF has no driver download.  Either its real new or MF has no plans to keep up to date with Thesycon?

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post #236 of 252
9/24/12 at 6:03pm

Last thing... the other interesting thing I've found is TONS of people love the AP2, but no awards that I have found.  The Stello U3 gets less love but wins awards... making the choice so easy for me, oye.

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post #237 of 252
9/25/12 at 2:56am

Graph_C.png

Audiophileo jitter measurements from 6Moons review

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post #238 of 252
9/25/12 at 3:24am

So far the only measurements I've found that aren't provide by Audiophilleo are these...

 

http://www.hi-fiworld.co.uk/index.php/internet-audio/486-usb-to-spdif-convertors.html

 

 

 

 

 

Now in the Stereophile review the Halide tracked the source as far as jitter, getting 780ps on a 1080ps source, 395 on a 445 source.  The other XMOS in the group had similar results as the V-Link so unfortunately I think, despite it not hitting numbers it claims, the AP2 is the safer bet.  Though the most expensive and with the Octave I can't see direct connection working.

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post #239 of 252
9/25/12 at 7:38am

Measurements for the Audiophilleo are in the thread about it here. 

 

The XMOS, if my experience with the Calyx is anything to go by, is awful. Someone went nuts in another thread insisting Audio-gd should be using XMOS in their products as well, and Kingwa replied to effect that he'd tried their demo boards and didn't like the results.

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post #240 of 252
9/25/12 at 7:47am

XMOS IMO is great (talking about WaveIO) and when I was owner of Audio GD DI and took it at the meet it was smashed as very bad sounding. Now go figure...:)

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