The best option to use coaxial out from a desktop?

[jurgen1]

I'd like to know the best way to have 24/96 coaxial out from a desktop. I have looked at the RME Hammerfall 9652, but it was released over 5 years ago and I don't know if soundcards with better coaxial out have been released since then. I've also looked at external USB to SPDIF transports like Empirical Audio's Off-Ramp Turbo 2, but I don't know how that compares to the best PCI or PCI express soundcards with low jitter. All other USB to SPDIF transports that I know are based on the PCM270X and only support 16/44 but I need 24/96 output. There is also the dCS Scarlatti upsampler but that's $12,000. My max is $2000. Thanks.

 

[rms]

I have the 9652 and am very happy with it. The sound is crystal clear, great dynamics, big soundstage. It is significantly better than my EMU 0404 USB. I also use it for recording with Sonar and it truly shines in that application as well. I can't speak first hand to any other high end soundcards but I do know that many recording studios use the RME products.

 

[1UP]

$2,000 is a hella amount just for the transport - what DAC are you to be using it with?

 

[jurgen1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1UP /img/forum/go_quote.gif $2,000 is a hella amount just for the transport - what DAC are you to be using it with?

I have a Lavry DA10 and I want to connect my desktop to it digitally. I'm just trying to find the best method.

 

[StanZigo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jurgen1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'd like to know the best way to have 24/96 coaxial out from a desktop.

I've researched this fairly extensively, and ended up with the ESI jul@. It not cheap, but it can do all combinations of bit depths and sample rates, plus it has _great_ drivers.

If you use Asio, it will switch its sample rate automatically, and you will never have to worry about bit transparency again. If you want manual control, it can do that too.

The analog inputs are awesome as well, great for ripping LP's.

I don't know about the analog outputs, I've never used them. It's strictly a transport/recording device for me....

 

[1UP]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jurgen1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have a Lavry DA10 and I want to connect my desktop to it digitally. I'm just trying to find the best method.

Well it's your cash but the notion of wanting "the best" and not baulking at the idea of spending double the price of your DAC just for a coaxial output seems strange to me.

An 0404 PCI or 1212M would strike me as good enough without entering Offramp price territory, YMMV.

 

[FallenAngel]

Yep, 0404 PCI is a great transport, I have one that I'll be using at work soon. Modded with hard-wired 75 Ohm coax cable and BNC.

 

[1UP]

I thought you killed that one?

Is it back to life?

 

[FallenAngel]

With the help of Cetoole's advice, I brought it back to life; now it will be in my office PC going to the Forte F-50a DAC.

 

[blessingx]

Hell with that kind of budget why not just get a MacBook and dedicate to music playback and optically connect with the Lavry? I guess you may want to avoid on the jitter hunt, but not I. A lot of DAC options when you move to 2-3K.