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confused: how to get the most out of my dac with computer as source?

Jul 8, 2009 at 7:37 PM Post #48 of 66
There have been no negative reviews of the Buffalo32s, like B22. And its ability to be modded it great. It just seems that way, mainly the Ayre only has USB. Makes me curious.

One other thing would be good to know.

Since Firewire can do asynchronous transfer up to 24/192 whereas asynch usb only does 24/96, why hasnt anyone made a converter or audiophile grade DAC implementing it?
 
Jul 8, 2009 at 9:10 PM Post #50 of 66
Quote:

Originally Posted by DoYouRight /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Since Firewire can do asynchronous transfer up to 24/192 whereas asynch usb only does 24/96, why hasnt anyone made a converter or audiophile grade DAC implementing it?


96kHz is the upper limit when using native mode drivers on the PC.
E-MU and Edirol (UA 101) are one of the very few offering bit rates up to 192 kHz. This requires installation of a custom USB device driver.
I wouldn't be surprised if Microsoft will offer higher bit rates (USB 3 / USB audio 2) next year.

I think the market for audiophile grade USB DAC's is small, the Firewire market is even smaller but there are a couple of companies like Apogee with the Duet and the Mini, Weiss Minerva (the tip is to go for the DAC 2 pro-model, same specs but substantial lower price tag).
Then there is the pro-sector where companies like RME offers firewire
 
Jul 8, 2009 at 9:54 PM Post #51 of 66
Quote:

Originally Posted by DoYouRight /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Since Firewire can do asynchronous transfer up to 24/192 whereas asynch usb only does 24/96, why hasnt anyone made a converter or audiophile grade DAC implementing it?


Weiss has, but it's $$$$
 
Jul 8, 2009 at 11:29 PM Post #52 of 66
that Weiss DAC 2 looks interesting, still $3000 but that's $2000 cheaper than the Minerva and would just make your budget. It's supposed to be the same but uglier but I don't think that will be a problem
wink.gif


Problem with all those expensive DAC's is that it is very hard to actually compare them. I'm sure all of your list are great, but finding the best is the hardest part. Especially since every ear/person is different.
 
Jul 9, 2009 at 4:43 AM Post #55 of 66
I was having the same search, looked at the Bello Canto as well, also the Audio-gd Ref-one with an external converter....and tried a cheap Dacmagic. All gave me bad fatigue inside an hour, sometimes with in 40 min. I didn't get the fatigue with a $40. transport and optical cable.

My next try, that I have settled on is a highly modded PSaudio DLlll. I am adding an additional Superclock in the usb section(as well as an Ultraclock in the main section-upsample?). I have heard one several times with just the Superclock in the main area as a dac fed with digital coax and it sounded great. So I figure if i get the fatigue still, at least I have a good dac, and i am getting a cheap transport for cds. I don't expect the computer audio to be as good as the cd transport but just hoping it is usable with out the fatigue issue.

Good luck Anouk, I empathize with you especially because I too am in the same boat.
 
Jul 9, 2009 at 5:26 AM Post #56 of 66
Yes, the problem for me is the pc is my ONLY source. I dont have any cd player or anything like that (and I dont want it either, the pc is just so convenient and I am at my pc any wakin gmoment anyway, lol). So I really want something analogue sounding and INDEED VERY IMPORTANT non fatiguing. I guess I will not hurry or rush this but give it some more research time. I really hope microsoft will do SOMETHING right with windows 7 and come through for us computer audiophiles.
Greetings, Anouk,
 
Jul 9, 2009 at 5:46 AM Post #57 of 66
Me too! I finally in frustration and exasperation went out about 5 or 6 months ago and got this Sony on Craigs list for $40. with optical out/no digital....probably over ten years old...It has worked but I would way rather do computer because half of my stuff is flac downloads that i then have to burn to cd to hear.

I will let you know how this(the new dac being modded) sounds, got to say though I heard a squeezebox setup that had ethernet feeding it into this dac with the lower upgrade and it sounded really good. I didn't a/b it to a different transport though and I didn't listen long enough to tell if there was the fatigue issue....I usually can't tell, it just hits me-like i all of a sudden feel like i have to tear the HPs from my head after about 45 minutes. Brutal.

Crossing my fingers for a breakthrough too, that is one reason that I am doing what I can but this should be good even with normal digital/optical inputs that can be used in case computer technology gets around the usb usage for audio.
 
Jul 9, 2009 at 11:51 PM Post #59 of 66
Yes I am only using computers as well, it makes a huge issue with the mac vs pc. I am actually thinking of buying a macbook pro as well, as the creator of wavelength says they sound better, so here we go!

It is a huge pain, the best thing would be to get a great dac and have it with the option to drop in a new usb board if USB 2.0 chips start rolling out.
 
Jul 10, 2009 at 11:34 AM Post #60 of 66
To the O/P, why so much hate for USB.

Actually, the results should depend greatly on specific gear implementation. I understood that DACs like Benchmark DAC1 or Lavry DA11 (which I own) have excellent USB implementation. Is there anything wrong with those.

Of course, the Weiss option stated above is very valid, but a little more pricey.
 
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