[evilcthul]

Redwood,

It seems like http://www.headphoneamp.com hasn't been updated for quite a long time. I actually couldn't dig up much USB DAC info myself. You may want to contact Tyll or Todd as they can give you the lowdown on what's happening at Wheatfield.

 

[DanG]

I'll try to summarize the info on the Wheatfield USB-DAC/amp. It's a very small device which plugs into your desktop or laptop USB port. The small box contains a DAC and an amp (duh), with a 1/4" jack on the end. It will retail for around $200.

I don't really think that the Wheatfield USB-DAC (I think its codename is the USB-1 right now) will be able to compete with this 12dax7. The Wheatfield is a very small unit using transistor amplification and probably one DAC chip. It's meant more as a solution for travelers, while Ron Sutherland's product is meant for a stationary system.

 

[evilcthul]

DanG,

I assume the Wheatfield will be bus powered? Ie by the +5v,-5v rails?

Ron's unit is definitely a mains unit, it won't be portable whatsoever. If the Wheatfield is portable it could be quite interesting...

 

[rickcr42]

Quote:

I assume the Wheatfield will be bus powered? Ie by the +5v,-5v rails?

Yes , but also has provisions for an external power supply.I auditioned this device at the HE01 show in NY earlier this year and I was impressed , compact,well put together and the sound was very smooth.This baby ever gets to market and it should be a winner.Perfect solution for the laptop user with DVD or CD

Rick

 

[Ctn]

I have some xp with usb and the more bandwidth is needed the more cpu time it eats up...when ur using its full potential ur cpu load will b close to 100%. I only put low bandwidth devices like mouse and keyboard on the usb port.

Just a thought...have u tried scanning a high res pic and transmitting it from the scanner to the computer or have a usb nic and use it to its full potential and look at the cpu load?

My guess is u need a fairly beefy cpu to run this thing when ur using most of the usb's bandwidth.

I think firewire would have been a better choice.

Since it costs about 3 gran aussie it better be better than a Live

When I 1st got my Live I thought it was the best sounding thing till I heard my bro's system:

marantz cd63ki cdp
rega brio amp
tdl speakers

 

[Number9]

I guess I miss the point about this product.

Take an ART DIO card ($150) from your computer and connect it via a digital out Toslink cable to an external DAC such as a MSB Link DAC III ($399), then connect this to whatever headphone amp of your choice (a Corda HA-1 for example - $300) and you will get very good sound and a few sawbucks leftover to boot. You get all of this for $800 vs. $1500 for this preamp, including a good headphone output.

Or instead of a Corda, hook up to a real good preamp, such as a Bottlehead Paraflow (with mods - still $300) - and great tube sound too. True, no headphone output, but still a comparable setup.

I guess I just don't get it. Plus, in order to use this device, I would have to keep my computer and sound system beside each other. With my option, it is cheap enough to have a seperate sound system.

Finally, I concur with an earlier comment - a $1500 preamp to listen mostly to MP3's? I guess you can hook up your computer to an Audio Note Oganku amp ($75K) and use the same argument too, that it makes MP3's sound better.

 

[chych]

Number9, I'll have to correct you...

The Art DI/O is itself a DAC, and many say it is awesome, better than the MSB Link DACs...

You'd need some sound card to output to the DAC, like an Audiophile 24/96 ($150).

So there you go, an excellent source for $300 that can put some multi-thousand dollar systems to shame.

 

[MacDEF]

Quote:

I think firewire would have been a better choice.

In terms of bandwidth, definitely. FireWire is superior to USB in every way. The problem is that while there is a USB audio standard, there isn't a FireWire audio standard

Quote:

My guess is u need a fairly beefy cpu to run this thing when ur using most of the usb's bandwidth.

Probably. That's the problem with USB -- very poor traffic management, and too much dependence on the CPU. I really wish USB wasn't becoming a popular path for digital audio. It simply can't handle the traffic.

 

[DanG]

Chych, who has said that the Art DI/O is better than the MSB Link DAC III? I've only seen one comparison, and that was at modwright.com -- and they claim that the MSB is better than the Art DI/O. I just don't see how the Art DI/O can be as good -- it is very inexpensive and even has a built-in ADC which uses its sole tube. How can it possibly be better than the MSB? If it uses high-quality parts, it simply would not be profitable for the price.

 

[dhwilkin]

Quote:

DanG said... Chych, who has said that the Art DI/O is better than the MSB Link DAC III? I've only seen one comparison, and that was at modwright.com -- and they claim that the MSB is better than the Art DI/O. I just don't see how the Art DI/O can be as good -- it is very inexpensive and even has a built-in ADC which uses its sole tube. How can it possibly be better than the MSB? If it uses high-quality parts, it simply would not be profitable for the price.

I have seen several reviews stating the Art DI/O outperforms the MSB. Which is really tempting me to buy one, just to do a direct comparison for myself. Anyway, you can find these reviews at both AudioAsylum and Harmonic Discord. Some of the questions you asked are also discussed.