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Best USB implementation?

post #1 of 6
2/13/13 at 11:47am
Thread Starter 

I know outboard USB to spdif converters are all the rage right now, but I am trying to find single box solution for a USB based DAC.  I also like 24/192 capabilities.  The more compact the better, but that isn't as important.  Up to $1000, but would prefer closer to $500.

 

So what DAC has done USB "right" and doesn't need an external converter to get the most out of the DAC?  

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post #2 of 6
2/13/13 at 12:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by FraGGleR View Post

I know outboard USB to spdif converters are all the rage right now, but I am trying to find single box solution for a USB based DAC.  I also like 24/192 capabilities.  The more compact the better, but that isn't as important.  Up to $1000, but would prefer closer to $500.

 

So what DAC has done USB "right" and doesn't need an external converter to get the most out of the DAC?  

 

The ODAC is your best bet, for the price, but it doesn't do 192kHz. The difference between 96kHz and 192kHz is completely inaudible to humans, so the lack of that marketing-driven feature is irrelevant.

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post #3 of 6
2/13/13 at 1:13pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by HamilcarBarca View Post

 

The ODAC is your best bet, for the price, but it doesn't do 192kHz. The difference between 96kHz and 192kHz is completely inaudible to humans, so the lack of that marketing-driven feature is irrelevant.

I agree the ODAC is fantastic, especially for the money, but I have upgraded my amp and my headphones and wanted to see if there was a nice step up from it.  As for 96 vs 192, I have read the paper that says 192 can actually sound worse.  However, I'd like the ability to play back any music I acquire without conversion (just a preference I have, regardless of the science or logic).  Foobar has a double blind plug in that I want to use to see if I can hear differences.

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post #4 of 6
2/13/13 at 1:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by FraGGleR View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by HamilcarBarca View Post

 

The ODAC is your best bet, for the price, but it doesn't do 192kHz. The difference between 96kHz and 192kHz is completely inaudible to humans, so the lack of that marketing-driven feature is irrelevant.

I agree the ODAC is fantastic, especially for the money, but I have upgraded my amp and my headphones and wanted to see if there was a nice step up from it.  As for 96 vs 192, I have read the paper that says 192 can actually sound worse.

[...]

 

You bring up an excellent point. With a poor implementation, bad ideas, good ideas, and great ideas fail regardless of theory.

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post #5 of 6
2/13/13 at 5:21pm

Nuforce UDH-100 does the trick for me, excellent vfm, IME.

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post #6 of 6
2/14/13 at 4:37pm

I'm personally getting the concero for $600, I can't recommend it since i do'nt have it yet. But a few trusted head fiers have it, Project86 did a full review, someone I trust, and it rivals just about anything in the sub $1k market. It's not for everyone tho, not a ton of features, but if you solely want usb, then I would take a look. 

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