[size=12pt][size=medium]I had considered many of the comments made by fellow members regarding what to buy for under a grand that would improve my listening station - all replies were good and appreciated, The first issue was the need to replace a HeadRoom Total BitHead and a HeadRoom Supreme upgraded to reference amp some years ago. This is when the Teac UDH01-S Digital to Analog Converter with USB Audio Interface became my solution. It allows 3 digital inputs USB, coaxial, and optical with a selector button to chose the source and has balance and unbalanced outputs The headphone volume control with 1/4 jack is placed on the front panel as well as syncs on any signal from 44 to 192 with LEDs indicating it has locked on to the signal. The details of what is inside is listed below but I think of what does it sound like followed by what does it look like then can I afford it in that order. So I will say a very well known headphone amp/dac engineer said it should be sound very nice based on the details of what is inside the box for those who go [/size]beyond Thevenin's theorem. What I didn't like is having to install software to make the USB work and that it had to be downloaded from a Japanese site rather than an including a disc sort of sucks. And as long as I am being picky a stepped volume control would have been a nice upgrade, but it isn't a big deal. So, why I like the Teac is it doesn't sound like most OP AMPs or tubes but it is close and it is always ready to play. The looks are nice despite a somewhat faux glass and metal but again how does it sound is why I bought it. Now if I wanted portability I clearly would have bought the HeadAmp offering for roughly the same money. I have Krell gear and have owned some of the best tube stuff but frankly it is the sound not the constantly farting with replacing tubes and re-biasing that I enjoy. I liked the idea of the Pass units but the listing on the sight turned out to be either no longer valid or they didn't bother to reply (very disappointing) . As a side bar because like many audio nuts I have often been caught on the wrong side of changing technology and thought newer must be better but really devoting time to listen without caring so much if this is the best possible is my solution.[/size]
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[size=12pt][size=medium]USB Audio Class2 High-speed Input from PC/Mac (Tenor 8802)[/size]
[size=medium]- 32-bit/192kHz Dual D/A Converters (BurrBrown 1795 x 2)[/size]
- Up-conversion to 32bit/192kHz
- Supports Asynchronous Transfer Mode
- Toroidal-core Power Transformer
- Detachable AC Socket
- Headphone Out with Volume Control
- Aluminum Front Panel
- Available in Silver or Black
- USB Input: x 1 (USB 2.0)
- Digital Audio Inputs: x 2 (Coaxial, Optical)
- Balanced Audio Output: x 1 (XLR, 1=GND, 2=Hot, 3=Cold)
- Audio Output: x 1 (RCA)
- Headphone Out: x 1 (6.3mm)
- Input Signal Sampling Rate: 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz,
- Operation: 120V AC, 60Hz (US), 230V AC, 50Hz (EUR)
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 215 x 55 x 215 mm[/size]
7/15 Follow up - the TEAC unit developed some type of glitch allowing it to randomly flip back to the PC speakers despite the DAC lock still being illuminated. To resolve the problem you had to unplug and reinsert the usb cable. TEAC was less than responsive in helping - despite doing everything thing I could imagine including changing PCs and cables, I was forced to return the unit. Fortunately it was bought from Dedicated Audio so there weren't any issues in returning it.
I have replaced it with a demo PS Audio Digital Link III which has performed beautifully without the slightest issue. The software to connect via usb to the PC is internal and requires nothing on the user part. The build quality is much more solid than the Teac but I have been hard pressed to hear any sound improvement. There are still PS Audio units available for $500 (same price as the TEAC)
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[size=12pt][size=medium]USB Audio Class2 High-speed Input from PC/Mac (Tenor 8802)[/size]
[size=medium]- 32-bit/192kHz Dual D/A Converters (BurrBrown 1795 x 2)[/size]
- Up-conversion to 32bit/192kHz
- Supports Asynchronous Transfer Mode
- Toroidal-core Power Transformer
- Detachable AC Socket
- Headphone Out with Volume Control
- Aluminum Front Panel
- Available in Silver or Black
- USB Input: x 1 (USB 2.0)
- Digital Audio Inputs: x 2 (Coaxial, Optical)
- Balanced Audio Output: x 1 (XLR, 1=GND, 2=Hot, 3=Cold)
- Audio Output: x 1 (RCA)
- Headphone Out: x 1 (6.3mm)
- Input Signal Sampling Rate: 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz,
- Operation: 120V AC, 60Hz (US), 230V AC, 50Hz (EUR)
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 215 x 55 x 215 mm[/size]
7/15 Follow up - the TEAC unit developed some type of glitch allowing it to randomly flip back to the PC speakers despite the DAC lock still being illuminated. To resolve the problem you had to unplug and reinsert the usb cable. TEAC was less than responsive in helping - despite doing everything thing I could imagine including changing PCs and cables, I was forced to return the unit. Fortunately it was bought from Dedicated Audio so there weren't any issues in returning it.
I have replaced it with a demo PS Audio Digital Link III which has performed beautifully without the slightest issue. The software to connect via usb to the PC is internal and requires nothing on the user part. The build quality is much more solid than the Teac but I have been hard pressed to hear any sound improvement. There are still PS Audio units available for $500 (same price as the TEAC)