[grokit]

I would think that coax and aes/ebu to be tied for the best in your application, followed by toslink and then USB. I haven't tried the Stello but I can attest that the Mini-i greatly benefits from a quality USB-s/pdif converter. I use the Firestone Bravo/Supplier.

 

[chaosallied]

yes, i reckoned the benefit from the usb/spdif from this thread as well so thank you guys for threatening my wallet hahaha
 
but i realized that the Stello U3 is a bit steep after the mini-i/quattro pruchase so i settled for the 01 usd, which has received favorable comments in this site as well...
 
i'm eyeing the Firestone Supplier too for my CrossRoad Edge (a Cute Beyond clone) =) 
 
 
then that means, i can live without either the coax or aes... thanks for the insight @grokit

 

[Microcuts]

I'm looking for a usb to spdif or bnc or aes converter to use with the matrix mini-i. It should support 24/192 without drivers on Mac. The Stello U3 does this but it's a bit too expensive compared to this DAC .

 

[palchiu]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Native-24bit-96k-USB-to-Spdif-I2S-Converter-for-DAC-/300610795395?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45fdccb783
 
only 24/96, but cheap and sound good.
 
Save money to get a better USB cable.

 

[grokit]

The Audio-GD Digital Interface is the least expensive 192k converter that I've seen, but I have not tried it and frankly I find their description of the 192k capability confusing:
 
http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/dac/USBface/Digital1EN.htm

 

[chaosallied]

as mentioned in the last page, i have tested the AES/EBU vs toslink through the 01USD...
as expected, the aes/ebu has more sparkle that the toslink, around 10% better i would say... for the price of the 01USD, the monoprice USB and AES/EBU to RCA cables, the subtle improvement is very acceptable...
 
i have not tested the BNC input yet, will do once i find a BNC to coax adaptor...
 

 

 

[Mikesin]

Don't know whether to get this or a pair of HD650's 

or none! ?
Currently using K702's and Beyer DT770 PRO's with my MStage and the FiiO E17 as my DAC.


Is there going to be a 2012 Version for the Mini-I? If so then I could hold out till then .

 

 

[chaosallied]

probably JTam audio can enlighten us if there will be an updated version of teh lovely Mini-i..

 

[melie]

Can I connect active speakers on the RCA output and at the same time connect the balanced outputs to an external headphone amplifier? How would this work when switching between speakers and headphone?

 

[chaosallied]

i know they output signal at the same time... if you want to toggle between your speaker and your HP, just turn-off the one you'll not gonna use =)

 

[alv4426]

Sorry this has probably been asked a few dozen times in the thread but is XLR output fixed or variable? I want to be able to hook up my active speakers to the XLR outputs and control volume through the mini-i.

 

[chaosallied]

Quote:

Sorry this has probably been asked a few dozen times in the thread but is XLR output fixed or variable? I want to be able to hook up my active speakers to the XLR outputs and control volume through the mini-i.

can be either, you can set as fixed or variable...

 

[alv4426]

Thank you sir. I believe I have found my next purchase 
 
Quote:

can be either, you can set as fixed or variable...

 

 

[chaosallied]

Quote:

Thank you sir. I believe I have found my next purchase 
 


 

no problemo amigo sire, enjoy your new toy =)
 

 

[Mauricio]

Quote:

Thank you sir. I believe I have found my next purchase 
 


 

You should check out this thread which talks specifically about DAC/Pre-amp/headphone amps with variable balanced line output.  The punchline:  so far I've only found three such units under $600.