[CSMR]

Some people have had problems with getting asio to work on the m-audio audiophile usb, but if you can that should do the trick.

 

[nefilim]

Hehe, this has been going round and round

One would've thought that someone would've snapped up this opportunity and produce something, pretty incredible that there is no easy, cheap solution.

It seems to me that the only way forward in the near future is DIY, with something like the PCM2704, unfortunately the project on the DIY forum uses the PCM2702 which does not support digital out.

Unless of course somebody announces something soon...

 

[momerath]

I just found this card: Zalman ZM-RSSC
Based on a review I've found, I'm fairly sure its generic USB-audio compatible, so it should work in Linux, but I have no answer on the bit-perfect question. I've posted something to their forums and I'll let you all know if they reply. Its bus-powered and has coax AND toslink outputs, so it just might be the holy grail I've been after. Also, its selling on ebay for $50.
Has anyone tried this card?

 

[richx]

Checked out the ESI Waveterminal U24? Coax and optical inputs and outputs, a pair of stereo output and a pair of stereo input - USB bus powered too, if I'm not mistaken ...

 

[Adriel]

That's a lot like mine.

The 1/4 inch analog outputs on the U2A and U24 are useless, but at least it can accept two soundcards, one coax and one optical, and route them to the DAC. Of course, it is also expected to be a bitperfect soundcard on its own through ASIO.

However I think these are older standard USB devices. Mine doesn't turn on after the computer has been in standby.

 

[richx]

Would that problem be fixed on the U24? Why do you call the analog outputs useless? Bad quality?

 

[Adriel]

Not necessarily bad quality, but one would obviously not be using them for musical enjoyment if they had a hifi DAC.