The Useless Off-ramp USB Converter Thread

That last 1% of improvements is always expensive. It sounds pretty good without the battery power supply. Just get his dual clocks and paul hynes regulators. You can also get a paul hynes power supply or a BNT battery power supply for it for almost half the price of the monolith power supply.

Are we talking past one another here? Some converters merely convert, and others also reclock. The reclocking feature can be worthwhile independant of the format coversion, no? Why else would April Music incorporate the Stello U3 into the Eximus DP-1?

Also with the new technology, it is only good if you are willing to buy a new ------ that has it. I dont want to upgrade my dac since I havent found anything that is better so I need to use what works with it.

Or you can try one of the Audio-gd dac's that has the DSP-1 in it. I ended up selling my Audiophilleo 2 because, in the end, I heard no difference between that and the optical out of my soundcard (and I really wanted to hear a difference).

Steve believes that the stock Off-Ramp 5 (with wall-wart) outperforms everything in its class, and supposedly is able to take down the considerably more expensive Berkeley Alpha USB. You do not need to spend the money for a Monolith, there are a few much more affordable alternatives. Both Hynes and Bolder make linear power supplies that will work with the OR. KingRex does as well, but I don't think their PS is in the same class performance wise.

You'll likely get a much better result with the OR5, dual TC, and a Hynes PS than you will with an OR5 and Monolith for about the same cash.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pigmode 

*I* said USB input. Perhaps not clearly enough because the inference was (and I may very well be wrong) to the fact that these components have integrated dacs? Really the point is the Offramp occupies a different point in the audio chain than all-in-one streamers.  

Actually, several companies are starting to offer dedicated PC derived music servers that have USB outputs designed to be used with USB DACs, such as the Auraliti PK90USB and the Sonore servers. As USB audio continues to improve, this will likely become more common as well implemented USB can outperform just about any sound card.

I'm not a fortune teller, but I don't think any single technology or method will take over and eliminate others from the market place. A system like the Sooloos doesn't appeal to me, but for some it's perfect. That's one way to go. Another is to have remote network attached storage, and something like the PS Audio DAC with its network bridge. A few other companies are exploring that direction as well. Then there's servers from companies like Linn, Naim, and Bladelius, or you can buy something like a Mach 2 Music Mini, or you can build your own computer and run a Linux build designed for audio use, or Windows and JPlay. I don't think any choice is right or wrong, it's what works for the individual.

This is what's so nice about digital storage and FLAC or wave files. With SACD and DVD-A, the content companies could dictate to the manufacturers what kind of outputs were allowed, and where and how you could listen to the music you own. Not anymore.

Good post..

Quote:

Originally Posted by pigmode 

Do the Hynes PS eliminate the wallwart?

Yep. The Off-ramp needs a 12V power supply, but that can come from anything, the included AC adapter, a Hynes or Bolder linear 12V power supply, the Monolith, or a 12V battery from somebody else. I'm not sure if B-P-T still offers a custom battery supply, wouldn't hurt to ask if you want to go that route.