[ZephyrSapphire]

Bel Canto USB Link 24/96 Debuts

 

[poo]

Heard about this... looks interesting to hear.

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

This was the first I ever heard of it Bel Canto's USB Link 24/96 converts USB audio to S/PDIF - Engadget

Still wonder what improvements it would offer over optical out of my Macbook at 24/96.

 

[Patu]

Damn I want to try out this one.

 

[HeadLover]

Sure looks hot!
I wonder, will it give better sound vs using the digital output of a sound card ??

 

[krmathis]

Sure looks interesting!

Cause there seem to be a demand for high quality USD to S/PDIF (RCA and/or BNC) converters out there...

 

[HeadLover]

When will it be out ???
And how good will it be?
I wonder will it be worth the price.

 

[joe_cool]

"Low-jitter clock recovery features reference crystal oscillator" doesn't quite convince me that it makes any difference. Remember "isochronous" transmission on the USB side? Unless there's some sort of reclocking.

In any case a short coax cable may aggravate jitter problems in the receiver. The SPDIF data format is flawed in reference to jitter at the receiver and can only be resolved by asynchronous reclocking in the DAC receiver.

$500 but if you have to ask, you can't afford it.

 

[spraggih]

anyone know how to go about buying one?

 

[Fidelity]

MSRP: $495

LMAO!

You will get better results putting that $500 extra towards buying a better external DAC with a USB input option.

 

[spraggih]

Now you have me thinking about not getting it. {I suppose I am too easily swayed}

But a better external DAC than my Chord DAC64? What is measurably better with USB input. Mind you USB inputs on some DACs are not as good for whatever reason than the SPDIF input.

 

[DrBenway]

I have always lusted after Bel Canto gear. Especially the monoblocks. Can't afford that stuff. Not even close. Maybe this will be a little more in my orbit?

Edit: $495 MSRP. Not out of the question, but a hard swallow before pulling the trigger.

 

[TimmyMac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fidelity /img/forum/go_quote.gif MSRP: $495 LMAO! You will get better results putting that $500 extra towards buying a better external DAC with a USB input option.

And you'll get a PCM2707 USB-I2S solution inside. Enjoy your 16/44.1.

 

[compuryan]

That just silly. Nobody with a brain is going to buy that, I'd have to read a really convincing review to even consider it. But Bel Canto is still cool in my book. Their DAC3 is still on wish list (someday).

 

[xenithon]

Please pardon my ignorance/naivity - why all the negativity about a $495 unit like this when the units from the likes of Empirical Audio start at $650 and go up to $1200 and are rarely, if ever, frowned upon? It is a serious question and there is no nefarious objective....if there is some technology/implementation in the latter which makes it incredibly superior I'd be keen to know.