Looking for a inexpensive async USB to SPDIF converter
Oct 17, 2013 at 10:44 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 18
shaocaholica

shaocaholica

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I'm not quite ready to invest in a nice prebuilt or kit DAC yet but I have some DAT tape decks I could use as DA converters for kicks and also a really cool mid 90s compact cassette deck that has RCA digital input which I also want to play with. They might not be the best DA converters but whatever.

I just want to get audio out of my workstation at work from USB to RCA spdif to drive them. Bonus if the USB controller is async. Don't need anything fancy.

Right now the only thing I can think of thats async and has SPDIF out for cheap is the udac but surely theres some DIY solution thats uglier and cheaper without the headphone amp right?
 
Oct 20, 2013 at 12:16 PM Post #6 of 18
what would be your aim in looking for async ? if you looking for a better SQ, async are not necessarily better than sync. it all depends on the implementation.
 
For further choices, check this out
 
http://www.thewelltemperedcomputer.com/HW/USB_SPDIF.htm
 
Oct 20, 2013 at 6:12 PM Post #8 of 18
Oct 20, 2013 at 6:17 PM Post #9 of 18
coil said:
Going for something that "seemed" is pretty useless. Just tell your DAC budget and what connections you must certainly have.

If you want cheap as possible then MUSE PCM2704: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MUSE-HiFi-PCM2704-USB-to-S-PDIF-Converter-DAC-Sound-Card-Silver-/360598939209?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item53f55f2649
Click to expand...


Are you saying I should go for a PCM2704 dac when I've already said I'm doing to get a udac3 that's async? I thought async was the thing to get these days???
 
Oct 20, 2013 at 6:22 PM Post #10 of 18
Again, you thought. It`s pointless to get something if you don`t understand for what and why, especially when you want something that`s cheap as possible.
125$ is already a budget area where you have many choices and different sounding DAC`s to choose from.
 
Oct 20, 2013 at 7:44 PM Post #11 of 18
coil said:
  Again, you thought. It`s pointless to get something if you don`t understand for what and why, especially when you want something that`s cheap as possible.
125$ is already a budget area where you have many choices and different sounding DAC`s to choose from.
Click to expand...

I know what asynchronous USB is.  Its available at my price point.  Why shouldn't I get it?  Is it audiophile snake oil?
 
Oct 20, 2013 at 9:04 PM Post #12 of 18
This one looks good

http://m.ebay.com/itm/141026791919?nav=SEARCH&sbk=1
 
Oct 21, 2013 at 4:29 AM Post #14 of 18
shaocaholica said:
 
coil said:
  Again, you thought. It`s pointless to get something if you don`t understand for what and why, especially when you want something that`s cheap as possible.
125$ is already a budget area where you have many choices and different sounding DAC`s to choose from.
Click to expand...

I know what asynchronous USB is.  Its available at my price point.  Why shouldn't I get it?  Is it audiophile snake oil?
Click to expand...

Theres only 1 way to know for sure. That is to audition it yourself.
 
Take out all the shenanigans and generally a converter will convert audio for our hearing 
 
Oct 21, 2013 at 4:35 AM Post #15 of 18
juliocat2 said:
This one looks good

http://m.ebay.com/itm/141026791919?nav=SEARCH&sbk=1
Click to expand...

Generally, when things are priced as such, It becomes a headache for you to try and obtain more information about a product.
The one listed above would be something I definitely would not put my money on for a number of reasons. 1 being that you have no idea if this thing has its own power supply and if it does, does it provide a clean and consistent .5vppm 
 
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