Ben Diss
Head-Fier
- Joined
- May 22, 2006
- Posts
- 83
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Quote:
The idea of converting a PCM stream in USB to a SPDIF signal has always seemed to me to be a good way to degrade the signal. I'm listening to my Zero through a Xitel MD-Port DG2 (USB->optical SPDIF converter). After reading these last few posts I thought I'd see if I could find a way to give the Zero PCM data straight from my PC. I figured out how to take the digital out from my X-Fi card and feed it to the Zero and...
Wow.
Did I mention ... WOW!
If there high freq harshness was a 8 on a 10 scale, now it's 2. Dramatic reduction.
I'm either going to buy a second sound card and dedicate it to feeding the Zero or look for alternative USB converters. Having said all that, are there any thoughts on the HD 2902 as compared to the Xitel? Maybe it's Coax vs. Optical? Maybe it's just removing the USB conversion step or maybe the Xitel just sucks?
Thoughts?
Originally Posted by DaMnEd /img/forum/go_quote.gif HA USB TO SPDIF (coax) 2902 Cheap and does what is required. |
The idea of converting a PCM stream in USB to a SPDIF signal has always seemed to me to be a good way to degrade the signal. I'm listening to my Zero through a Xitel MD-Port DG2 (USB->optical SPDIF converter). After reading these last few posts I thought I'd see if I could find a way to give the Zero PCM data straight from my PC. I figured out how to take the digital out from my X-Fi card and feed it to the Zero and...
Wow.
Did I mention ... WOW!
If there high freq harshness was a 8 on a 10 scale, now it's 2. Dramatic reduction.
I'm either going to buy a second sound card and dedicate it to feeding the Zero or look for alternative USB converters. Having said all that, are there any thoughts on the HD 2902 as compared to the Xitel? Maybe it's Coax vs. Optical? Maybe it's just removing the USB conversion step or maybe the Xitel just sucks?
Thoughts?