internal dac only for coaxial out

[dreamwhisper]

I want a DAC with a coaxial out that's cheaper than the emu 0404 (100$)... what are some options?

 

[22906]

Technically, you don't need a DAC because the output is still digital. I know diyparadise has a USB convertor kit, and there is HagUSB.

 

[dreamwhisper]

USB maxes out at 16/44 signal tho,
and I'd like to be able to run 24/96 through my Stello DA100, so the only option for doing so on the Stello would be to do coaxial/optical input.

Would converted usb output still be limited to
16/44?

 

[Fungi]

USB1.1 is still limited to that. A cheap solution is the M-Audiophile 2496 for coaxial digital out. Check eBay for lower prices on this.

EDIT: Turns out the prices aren't so low on eBay either; if you don't mind an optical spdif instead of coaxial output, the Chaintech AV-710 is the go-to solution for cheap but good digital out.

 

[thomaspf]

USB 1.1 is not limited to 16 bit/ 44.1 Khz. There are numerous solutions out there that support 24/96 just fine.

Personally I have experiences with the Audiotrak Optoplay and the Edirol UA-1EX. Both work fine with 24/96 streams and the system provided USB audio driver in Windows.

Cheers

Thomas

 

[dreamwhisper]

there are contradictions here.
I thought it was common knowledge that usb 1.1 only supported 16 bit streams

But Thomas has a point, those products do say that they support 24/96.
However at $75, I'm better off going for an Emu 0404.

The Chaintech is a great option too, but I'm gonna still go with the 0404 just because of the sheer flexibility with outputs.

Thanks for the quick responses guys

 

[thomaspf]

The USB audio support for 24/96 is not a matter for opinions and contradiction on a forum discussion but a simple technical fact.

This has been available for 10 years now.

Cheers

Thomas

 

[sejarzo]

Is it not accurate to say, though, that some commonly used combined USB receiver/DAC chips used in inexpensive USB audio devices are limited by their design to 16/48?

 

[22906]

I think what he means is the USB 1.1 standard supports 24/96 audio and he listed some specific products that implement this functionality. Some products don't implement it (a lot of TI PCM270* based products).