Best used USB to digital converters under $200
May 28, 2016 at 12:31 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 13
quanghuy147

quanghuy147

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Hi,
I am looking for a USB to digital converter to use with my Yulong D18 DAC.(It does not support USB) Could you please suggest some  converters that I can get a used one with under $200? And also please point out which is the best from your experience.
Thanks!
 
May 28, 2016 at 7:42 PM Post #4 of 13
I think the Xonar U7 has coxial output (check): http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-Xonar-U7-Sound-Card/dp/B00E7QA9E0. Then you could connect that to your D18, and then play around with the built in virtual surround DSP if you want.
 
May 29, 2016 at 11:37 PM Post #5 of 13
quanghuy147 said:
  Hi,
I am looking for a USB to digital converter to use with my Yulong D18 DAC.(It does not support USB) Could you please suggest some  converters that I can get a used one with under $200? And also please point out which is the best from your experience.
Thanks!
Click to expand...

 
What is the make and model of your laptop?
 
As USB is already digital, assume you mean USB to S/PDIF (optical or coaxial) converter.
 
The $40 Asus Xonar U3 uses a USB input and comes with an optical output.
 
May 30, 2016 at 4:20 AM Post #6 of 13
Thank you for your answer, my laptop is an old Vaio. It does not have optical output. I have look at Asus Xonar, but I think spending more money will get a better usb to spdif converter. Actually i am using Apple airport express to get the digital input to the DAC through optical cable. But now I would like to upgrade, and it seems that Xonar is not a good upgrade from the Apple airport express. Is it right? (please forgive for my ignorance)
 
May 30, 2016 at 11:36 AM Post #8 of 13
So you mean that other usb to digital converter like Gustard u12($170), Yellow Puc($300), Off Ramp 5 (more than $1000) ... are no different than the Asus xonar?

I have not had a chance to try try any of them, but I am a little confused, because if they bring the same optical out from USB, why the price are so different?

Thanks!
 
May 30, 2016 at 2:58 PM Post #9 of 13
I do not know for sure that there is no difference. However, there are a lot of expensive audiophile products that offer no real world improvement in sound quality. This is a simple conversion from one digital signal to another.
 
May 30, 2016 at 3:14 PM Post #10 of 13
Maybe this will do the job?
HiFime UH1-Digital 384kHz USB to I2S/DSD/COAX interface (no DAC), $109
http://hifimediy.com/DACs/ready-made-dacs?product_id=176
 
May 30, 2016 at 3:16 PM Post #11 of 13
quanghuy147 said:
Thank you for your answer, my laptop is an old Vaio. It does not have optical output. I have look at Asus Xonar, but I think spending more money will get a better usb to spdif converter. Actually i am using Apple airport express to get the digital input to the DAC through optical cable. But now I would like to upgrade, and it seems that Xonar is not a good upgrade from the Apple airport express. Is it right? (please forgive for my ignorance)
Click to expand...

 
I'm not an expert on converters and just trying to point out low cost options (my two cents).
 
Jun 1, 2016 at 6:09 PM Post #13 of 13
quanghuy147 said:
So you mean that other usb to digital converter like Gustard u12($170), Yellow Puc($300), Off Ramp 5 (more than $1000) ... are no different than the Asus xonar?
Thanks!
Click to expand...


Digital is digital - the end result should be the same.
There are however a few differences that can happen:
- formats supported (maximum frequency and bit depth, DSD)... assuming you have the source files to profit from it
- reclocking for jitter correction... assuming you even need it

However, this can be done for pretty cheap.
 
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