turdski said:

   I feel there will be a USB to SPDIF device of some sort eventually.  Some sort of buffered, checksum-y, zero jitter, überified way of transmittin' all them ones and zee-ros rather flawlessly.   With Apple poised to do away with all standard USB 3.0 A ports though, I wonder how that would impact the development of such a device.  Rest assured, Audioquest makes a $599+ Thunderbolt cable though.  Hmm....

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Not sure I see the point of a SPDIF converter. If you can't take out the jitter, does it help you? If you can, why bother? I'm all for biatching at apple to add an SPDIF out of the iMac, but otherwise, it seems like the addition of an unnecessary middle step. Thunderbolt and USB 3 though are of great interest. 

bosiemoncrieff said:

  Not sure I see the point of a SPDIF converter. If you can't take out the jitter, does it help you? If you can, why bother? I'm all for biatching at apple to add an SPDIF out of the iMac, but otherwise, it seems like the addition of an unnecessary middle step. Thunderbolt and USB 3 though are of great interest. 

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Would be fun to see Schiit come out with some sort of device à la microRendu, that'd also count as "wyrd uber" of sorts - ethernet input, removing jitter, processing USB audio as best as possible, small form factor, etc. at an even lower price point (think the mRendu goes for like $700 with a LPS, much cheaper than most other "audiophile grade" streamers/servers).
 
Then again, I don't know if this is something that's even remotely in Schiit's radar, I personally do not really see a product like this fitting their lineup due to a bunch of things but still, could be interesting.
 
I'm getting very tempted to buy a Pathos Aurium (Italian made) for a bedroom setup at home - currently all my stationary gear's in the living room so I'm thinking of expanding my horizons so to speak rather than having to rely on my DAP elsewhere around the house. I'm very curious as for how it'd fare "against" my beloved MJ2, as per reviews the Pathos should be a little smoother/warmer but other than that they should be very similar; prices are basically the same for both of them in Europe as well due to VAT et al.
 
RMAF can't come soon enough, trying my best to now obliterate my wallet prior to the announcement(s) but it's hard times. Indeed.

I hope I didn't use too much shorthand. In the interest of clarity allow me to rephrase: If you can't take out the jitter from USB, does converting USB to SPDIF help you? If you can remove it, why bother the conversion in the first place?

Oh, I was not directly commenting on the USB to SPDIF conversion per se, I just realize quoting you may have been crass on my part. I just wanted to make a general comment regarding the possibility of a device that could expand on the Wyrd's capabilities/functionalities.
 
Regarding conversion specifically, I personally am not very knowledgeable but I'd assume if the jitter from USB cannot be taken out in the first place converting the signal may be moot - I purchased a Firestone RedKey that translates USB to Coax recently off of Massdrop (one of the few real deals they've had recently, $100~ retail, purchased for $25 shipped) to try with my Modi MB, haven't gotten around to it yet and I expect to hear absolutely no difference but I'm just curious.
 
Regarding TOSlink my computer's mobo has a good optical out as it is pretty pricey and has dedicated/high quality audio components integrated; same with USB - can't tell a difference between either of them, granted both my USB and tos cables are like $20 each max but still, I don't think it'll make a difference to my ears no matter what given they sound absolutely identical as is.

bosiemoncrieff said:

  Not sure I see the point of a SPDIF converter. If you can't take out the jitter, does it help you? If you can, why bother? I'm all for biatching at apple to add an SPDIF out of the iMac, but otherwise, it seems like the addition of an unnecessary middle step. Thunderbolt and USB 3 though are of great interest. 

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Well, if I were to implement such a USB to S/PDIF bridge device, I would be sure to transformer couple/isolate both inputs to distance the computer/player from the DAC.  Good engineering practice.
 
Thinderbolt would require licensing from Intel, hoops for us to jump through, and $$$ to Intel (which we would have to pass on to customers) for a socket valuable to a small subset of users (at least for now).
 
USB3 sockets are of interest for compatibility with USB2 and 1 audio, a goal already accomplished.

Thunderbolt 3 isn't apple-licensed, is it?

Originally Posted by Baldr /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Thinderbolt would require licensing from Apple, hoops for us to jump through, and $$$ to Apple (which we would have to pass on to customers) for a socket valuable to a small subset of users (at least for now).
 
USB3 sockets are of interest for compatibility with USB2 and 1 audio, a goal already accomplished.

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clemmaster said:

Thunderbolt 3 isn't apple-licensed, is it?

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Correct: Although Apple originally trademarked 'thunderbolt,' they transferred it to Intel, which owns the IP.
 
And Mike, I agree about small subset. The technology, though widely pushed by Apple (and extant in every Apple computer except the new one-port Macbook), has seen slower adoption from others. However, The third generation of Thunderbolt is changing its port to the same shape as USB-C, and is seeing some adoption. While nothing is certain, this move suggests at least potential increased adoption, if OEMs are moving from USB-A to USB-C anyway (hello, Dell!).
 
Your wounds from Loki have I'm sure given you an enduring skepticism of unproven, niche standards, especially those you have to license from a given corporation. And, from what I can tell, Thunderbolt's 10W of output power pales compared to USB-C's theoretical maximum of 100W (not that dumping wall-warts is necessarily your MO for multi-input DACs). I'm much more anxious to get to a USB 3.1 future with type-c connectors than I am to migrate everything to an Intel-controlled Thunderbolt, but its technical bona fides are undeniable. Whether they're ideal for hi-fi audio...has anyone else released a DAC with a dedicated Thunderbolt input?

clemmaster said:

Thunderbolt 3 isn't apple-licensed, is it?

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bosiemoncrieff said:

   
Correct: Although Apple originally trademarked 'thunderbolt,' they transferred it to Intel, which owns the IP.
 
And Mike, I agree about small subset. The technology, though widely pushed by Apple (and extant in every Apple computer except the new one-port Macbook), has seen slower adoption from others. However, The third generation of Thunderbolt is changing its port to the same shape as USB-C, and is seeing some adoption. While nothing is certain, this move suggests at least potential increased adoption, if OEMs are moving from USB-A to USB-C anyway (hello, Dell!).
 
Your wounds from Loki have I'm sure given you an enduring skepticism of unproven, niche standards, especially those you have to license from a given corporation. And, from what I can tell, Thunderbolt's 10W of output power pales compared to USB-C's theoretical maximum of 100W (not that dumping wall-warts is necessarily your MO for multi-input DACs). I'm much more anxious to get to a USB 3.1 future with type-c connectors than I am to migrate everything to an Intel-controlled Thunderbolt, but its technical bona fides are undeniable. Whether they're ideal for hi-fi audio...has anyone else released a DAC with a dedicated Thunderbolt input?

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Apple to Intel -- duhr, corrected in my original post.
 
The only wound connected with Loki was that it was essentially some development time wasted.  The fact that it took two years to sell 1000 pieces was neither great nor did it suck. The best news was the solid first hand experience with exactly DSD's master vs. master lack of sonic redeeming value, much less exceptionalism, and the sobering realization of bandwidth wasted.
 
I have enjoyed(?) USB type C connectors for well over a year now since I acquired my One+Two phone.  I also have several adapters which I frequently misplace so I may recharge my phone in remote locations where USB micro connectors only are available.  So much for being an early adopter. 

Haha, same thing with my Nexus 5X. Have to carry my USB C cable with me...

And my HTC 10.

vigrith said:

   
Would be fun to see Schiit come out with some sort of device à la microRendu, that'd also count as "wyrd uber" of sorts - ethernet input, removing jitter, processing USB audio as best as possible, small form factor, etc. at an even lower price point (think the mRendu goes for like $700 with a LPS, much cheaper than most other "audiophile grade" streamers/servers).

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I am enjoying my SOtM SMS-200 which is cheaper than the Sonore. I used a $15 LPS from JamesCo on it (9v/1A) and recently upgraded to a no-name LPS with a bit more power (9v/2A).   Cannot say that I heard much difference with that change.
 
SOtM has an upgrade program for owners of the SMS-100 (spread the word!).
 
Maybe Schiit and SOtM can work out a bundle arrangement.  Free Mimby with every SMS-200!  

@Clemmaster - this may be the first time I HAVE NOT clicked on the spoiler in your signature.  I feel like Stimpy with the Big Shiny red Button....
 
 
Edit - Dang It!

baldr said:

 
I have enjoyed(?) USB type C connectors for well over a year now since I acquired my One+Two phone.  I also have several adapters which I frequently misplace so I may recharge my phone in remote locations where USB micro connectors only are available.  So much for being an early adopter. 

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Baldr, is there anything new with device classes in the USB-C audio spec which benefits your work?  
 
(...or is it all about digital headphones for smartphones?)

@Baldr what's your take on the powerdac technologies such as utilized by Lyngdorf where the PCM data is fed directly into the amp?  I don't see any way to use multibit technology going that route...

I believe that it is Schiit policy not to make remarks on another companies products. Topology maybe.