Question about DDC

[Digital Enigma]

Is there a ddc that can take an optical input and output as usb?

 

[Jake2]

Is there a ddc that can take an optical input and output as usb?

What you’re asking for is a unicorn, something I’ve looked for unsuccessfully in the past several times, years apart. The Audio-Gd and Denafrips DDCs are part of a select club of DDCs with s/pdif inputs (but only Denafrips DDCs have Toslink too), but not USB out. I ended up getting an Ifi s/pdif iPurifier2 reclocker which although still outputting s/pdif in either Toslink or coax, significantly improved the sound into my DAC, a lot less glare, more body, weight, soundstage depth etc. Not at the level of my LHY UIP USB reclocker however, so I continue to keep an ear out for the unicorn.

So having said all that I recently became aware of a new Auralic streamer/DDC, the Aries S1, which appears to be that unicorn based on its inputs and outputs. You’d need to check the manual to be sure a s/pdif > USB path is available. It may also be a little more than you were intending to spend, but at least it is a tentative yes answer to your qn.

If you find any others I’d be interested in hearing about them.

 

[Roseval]

Your unicorns can be found here: https://www.thewelltemperedcomputer.com/HW/SPDIF-USB.htm

 

[dunring]

All the DDCs I've had like the Gustard are just USB in. The closest would be a Soundblaster AE-9 which has optical in, but RCA and optical out..I use optical USB cables for a silent noise floor and it works fantastic. The Topping d10s has USB in and optical out, just never heard of the other way around.

 

[Jake2]

Your unicorns can be found here: https://www.thewelltemperedcomputer.com/HW/SPDIF-USB.htm

Which all require a computer, correct?

I realise I was assuming the OP wanted a USB output to directly feed a USB DAC, as was my unstated goal.. though the products you linked may be what he needs if he is happy to feed a computer.

I should’ve been clearer re my goal to feed a USB DAC. I tried of few of those dongles including the Hifimediy (just in case it worked) but of course they didn't with my DAC as they needed windows or Linux drivers etc.

 

[Roseval]

they needed windows or Linux drivers etc

A DAC is a peripheral so it needs a host pretty much like a USB keyboard or USB mouse need a host.

 

[Jake2]

A DAC is a peripheral so it needs a host pretty much like a USB keyboard or USB mouse need a host.

Thanks. So to restate my comments above using USB host terminology - there are no pure DDCs (those without the ability to act as a streamer also) I am aware of that are able to act as a USB host with a 'USB Audio' output to connect directly to a DAC.

Whereas there's any number of streamers with USB Audio outputs, the difference presumably being that every streamer needs to be a mini computer effectively running a light OS capable of, amongst other things, acting as USB host.

A few streamers, like the Holo Red, also have the usual USB input > synchronous digital audio output DDC functionality, but the Aries S1 is the first I am aware of that offers s/pdif inputs as well. Assuming it has a selectable path from the s/pdif inputs to its USB Audio (= USB Host) output this makes it that unicorn.

But I'd be interested to hear about any other devices that can do this.

 

[sygnus21]

Your unicorns can be found here: https://www.thewelltemperedcomputer.com/HW/SPDIF-USB.htm

Somehow, I'm going to guess that's not what the OP is looking for....

Is there a ddc that can take an optical input and output as usb?

Anyway, to the OP, bear in mind such a device would end up relying on an optical input, thus limiting connectivity options. With that, I also don't know of such a device. Going the other way, I know the (my) Denafrips Iris DDC will output to Optical (as well as AES, I2S, and SPDIF digital cable. Input is only through USB.

I'm feeding both my Pontus DAC, and Teac VRDS 701 CDP/DAC at the same time. The Teac via optical cable, the Pontus via I2S (HDMI) cable.

 

[sygnus21]

there are no pure DDCs (those without the ability to act as a streamer also) I am aware of that are able to act as a USB host with a 'USB Audio' output to connect directly to a DAC.

If I'm reading this correctly, I can clearly state for the record that's true as exampled by the Denafrips DDC line. None have built in streamers.

Perhaps I misunderstand?

 

[Jake2]

If I'm reading this correctly, I can't clearly state for the record as that not being true as exampled by the Denafrips DDC line. None have built in streamers.

Perhaps I misunderstand?

I double checked the inputs and outputs of the Denafrips DDCs before posting, they have only a USB input, no USB Audio Output ie. they do not act as USB Host to feed a DAC.

 

[sygnus21]

I double checked the inputs and outputs of the Denafrips DDCs before posting, they have only a USB input, no USB Audio Output ie. they do not act as USB Host to feed a DAC.

Yeah, and I believe that's exactly what I said, so....

Going the other way, I know the (my) Denafrips Iris DDC will output to Optical (as well as AES, I2S, and SPDIF digital cable. Input is only through USB.

I still don't get this comment....

there are no pure DDCs (those without the ability to act as a streamer also) I am aware of that are able to act as a USB host with a 'USB Audio' output to connect directly to a DAC.

Perhaps some clarity is in order?

 

[fringezach]

Yes, some DDCs can convert optical input to USB output. Devices like the Matrix Audio X-SPDIF 2 and Singxer SU-1 handle this conversion. They’re commonly used in audio setups to bridge digital sources, improving compatibility and sound quality. Ensure the specific model supports both optical input and USB output.

 

[Jake2]

Yes, some DDCs can convert optical input to USB output. Devices like the Matrix Audio X-SPDIF 2 and Singxer SU-1 handle this conversion. They’re commonly used in audio setups to bridge digital sources, improving compatibility and sound quality. Ensure the specific model supports both optical input and USB output.

Unfortunately the DDC models you referred are typical DDCs that have only a USB input and s/pdif & I2S outputs, not the other way round. Were there any other DDCs you had in mind with s/pdif inputs and USB outputs?

 

[Jake2]

Yeah, and I believe that's exactly what I said, so....

I still don't get this comment....

Perhaps some clarity is in order?

Apologies, I’m not sure in what respect my statement is unclear or could be further clarified, your selective bolding of the quoted line is perhaps is the source of the confusion - you need to read the line as a whole:

So to restate my comments above using USB host terminology - there are no pure DDCs (those without the ability to act as a streamer also) I am aware of that are able to act as a USB host with a 'USB Audio' output to connect directly to a DAC.

But happy to elaborate on why I phrased it this way, if it is useful to you or others. To the best of my knowledge, including considering all responses so far on this thread:

• There’s just the one digital audio device I’m aware of that accepts s/pdif inputs and outputs USB Audio (acting as USB Host) directly to a USB DAC - the ‘combo’ DDC/streamer Auralic Aries S1 (the above quoted statement was intended to exclude this and keep the focus on pure DDCs that don’t also have streaming functionality and are typically quite a bit cheaper)
• There’s many other streamers (devices with ethernet or wifi input and run a streaming audio OS of some sort) that output USB Audio (acting as USB Host) directly to a USB DAC but don’t have s/pdif inputs e.g. Holo Red, the Eversolos (noting the Red can act also as a pure DDC with USB input to s/pdif, I2S etc outputs but not the other way around)
• There’s many DDCs that have USB input and s/pdif (etc) outputs, but no USB Audio output e.g. Gustard U18*, Singxer SU-1/6*, Matrix Audio, Douk* etc… most DDCs fall in this bucket
• There’s a small number of DDCs that alongside the standard USB input also have s/pdif inputs, but none output USB Audio (acting as USB host) directly to a USB DAC e.g. Denafrips & Audio-Gd DDCs (coax only for AGd)
• There’s a number of other DDCs that accept s/pdif inputs and output via USB, but they do not act as USB Host so can’t connect directly to a USB DAC so need to be connected to a computer to act as USB host to connect via USB to the DAC e.g. Hifime UR23* SPDIF Optical to USB converter
• There’s any number of USB regenerators that input and output USB Audio (with pass-through of USB Host) for direct connection to a USB DAC but strictly speaking there’s no format conversion so not a DDC - and in any case not relevant to the OP’s question as doesn’t have s/pdif inputs e.g. LHY UIP*

*I own these ones.

 

[fringezach]

Unfortunately the DDC models you referred are typical DDCs that have only a USB input and s/pdif & I2S outputs, not the other way round. Were there any other DDCs you had in mind with s/pdif inputs and USB outputs?

most DDC models are designed with USB inputs and s/pdif or I2S outputs, not the reverse. However, there are a few niche products or USB interfaces that may offer s/pdif inputs and USB outputs. Brands like Topping or Matrix Audio might have solutions, but options are limited.