[jinp6301]

So what are my options? I am looking for something that converts USB to optical or coax (coax preferred) so I can use a DAC with it.

 

[BigSurSpoon]

EMU 0404 USB?

 

[jinp6301]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigSurSpoon /img/forum/go_quote.gif EMU 0404 USB?

right, forgot to say that I want to stay around but preferably under 100. The only thing I can find is the m-audio transit but thats optical

 

[psyllium]

There's this for $50:
http://www.cryo-parts.com/pclink.html

 

[joe_cool]

There are a number of units available for less than $100, some for less than $50, but you will generally be limited to 16-bit and 44-48 kHz conversion. This is not really a big problem if you use Foobar and a good sample rate converter, or if you don't need 96kHz or 24-bit conversion.

For better performance, you will need a device with custom drivers, like the Transit or the E-MU USB devices. These are good but an internal PCI device can provide quality SPDIF for less (M-Audio Revolution 5.1 or Audiophile 2496, E-MU 0404 or 1212).

If you have an M-Audio Audiophile USB and a Total Bithead (your profile), you are not going to be satisfied with a <$50 device, maybe this is a gift for someone else.

 

[psyllium]

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe_cool /img/forum/go_quote.gif There are a number of units available for less than $100, some for less than $50, but you will generally be limited to 16-bit and 44-48 kHz conversion. This is not really a big problem if you use Foobar and a good sample rate converter, or if you don't need 96kHz or 24-bit conversion. For better performance, you will need a device with custom drivers, like the Transit or the E-MU USB devices. These are good but an internal PCI device can provide quality SPDIF for less (M-Audio Revolution 5.1 or Audiophile 2496, E-MU 0404 or 1212). If you have an M-Audio Audiophile USB and a Total Bithead (your profile), you are not going to be satisfied with a <$50 device, maybe this is a gift for someone else.

Hey I wasn't the one asking for one, hehe... I was just providing a suggestion to jinp6301

 

[joe_cool]

Quote:

Originally Posted by psyllium /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hey I wasn't the one asking for one, hehe... I was just providing a suggestion to jinp6301

Yea, me too.

 

[Dept_of_Alchemy]

There's a coax mod for the Transit somewhere if you search. By the way, what's the matter with optical? I think electrical isolation between the DAC and the computer is a good thing, and you'd have less impedance matching issues to worry about but that's a whole 'nother discussion I suppose.

There's also the Hag USB from Hong Kong that might be worth considering. Not sure if it's bit-perfect, though.

 

[audioengr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dept_of_Alchemy /img/forum/go_quote.gif There's a coax mod for the Transit somewhere if you search. By the way, what's the matter with optical? I think electrical isolation between the DAC and the computer is a good thing, and you'd have less impedance matching issues to worry about but that's a whole 'nother discussion I suppose. There's also the Hag USB from Hong Kong that might be worth considering. Not sure if it's bit-perfect, though.

I modded the Transit years ago to put S/PDIF on it, but I replaced it with the Off-Ramp Turbo 2. Optical does have the advantage of galvanic isolation, but so do many S/PDIF implementations. Optical has the BIG disadvantage of adding jitter. I would recommend sticking with S/PDIF or AES/EBU.

Steve N.

 

[adanac061]

I wouldn't use the usb transit as a transport if I were you.
I dug mine out a few days ago to compare to my Juli@ using RMAA.

Whilst the Juli@ has perfect digital output, I can't say the same for the transit. The frequency response wasn't flat, and there was some weird channel leakage going on, most likely my usb bus is noisy??

 

[agile_one]

I've been pretty happy with the Trends Audio UD-10 as a USB to digital transport. Has AES (balanced), Coax, BNC, and Toslink outputs, and works great. There is an optional battery pack available, which is useless and unnecessary. There is also a 1/8" analog minijack analog output which, frankly, stinks, but the digital outs are excellent. If you are hungup about bit perfect output, it works fine with ASIO4All.

Here's one in the FS Forum.

 

[jinp6301]

Quote:

Originally Posted by agile_one /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've been pretty happy with the Trends Audio UD-10 as a USB to digital transport. Has AES (balanced), Coax, BNC, and Toslink outputs, and works great. There is an optional battery pack available, which is useless and unnecessary. There is also a 1/8" analog minijack analog output which, frankly, stinks, but the digital outs are excellent. If you are hungup about bit perfect output, it works fine with ASIO4All. Here's one in the FS Forum.

yes thats what I was looking for, I just dont have the funds for it right now, I have to wait for a sale to go through so I have some moolah

 

[jinp6301]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dept_of_Alchemy /img/forum/go_quote.gif There's a coax mod for the Transit somewhere if you search. By the way, what's the matter with optical? I think electrical isolation between the DAC and the computer is a good thing, and you'd have less impedance matching issues to worry about but that's a whole 'nother discussion I suppose. There's also the Hag USB from Hong Kong that might be worth considering. Not sure if it's bit-perfect, though.

nothings the matter with optical, its just that I'll be using the optical in for my iriver, so I dont want to have to switch the cables all the time

 

[diego]

I agree with agile_one, the UD-10 is a very good transport. I don't use mine anymore because I bought a Stello DA100 that has USB input, but before that it was my source with a Bel Canto Dac1. You can check about it here www.trendsaudio.com.

 

[Dept_of_Alchemy]

Is the UD-10 better sounding than the Transit? I'm thinking of dumping my Transit to go to that...

It really is cheap-looking, though, you know. How much was it originally?