UD-10 USB Audio Converter

[facelvega]

At first glance, this looks like a Fubar II imitator: the housing, the d/a chip (pcm2704 vs. 2702 for the Fubar), the power handling circuitry, down to the same dc jack. But from the description, it sounds like they've conceived this sucker just to be a usb transport, which begs the question of whether its analog out is really useable in itself. The fact that there's only a headphone out seems like a bad sign in that regard. Still, for the price, how bad can it be? Who's going to bite the bullet on this thing?

 

[ap3rtis]

there is an english button on the website guys

Trend DAC
heres the link in english.
looks interesting, might be worth my time.

 

[xenithon]

If they put in a more respectable chip, with handling of 96kHz or even 192kHz, I'd be interested (even at a higher price). At that price I'd rather keep my Edirol UA-1EX thanks

 

[brospin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by xenithon If they put in a more respectable chip, with handling of 96kHz or even 192kHz, I'd be interested (even at a higher price). At that price I'd rather keep my Edirol UA-1EX thanks

Does the UD-10 only support 16 bit 44.1kHz? Does anyone know if it is ASIO compatible or if it even comes with ASIO drivers?

 

[agile_one]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrarroyo I found this USB DAC and after doing a search did not find any feedback in Head-Fi. Does any of you have it? What are your thoughts? Here are a couple of links: http://www.trendsaudio.com/EN/Produc...Audio_desc.htm and also http://www.trendsaudio.com/EN/Produc...io_feature.htm ... <snip>

Miguel, forgive the nitpicking, but, as others have alluded, the Trend device referred to is not a DAC, it should more properly be called a USB Transport. Its output is digital, which would then need to be processed by a downstream DAC.

Nitpicking aside, it seems very useful, and a great way to get digital out from a laptop. The provision for all connector types is excellent. I like the rifle approach taken here, as opposed to the shotgun approach of something like the M-Audio Audiophile USB, since most of us here just want to get a clean digital output from a computer.

 

[facelvega]

Quote:

Originally Posted by agile_one Miguel, forgive the nitpicking, but, as others have alluded, the Trend device referred to is not a DAC, it should more properly be called a USB Transport. Its output is digital, which would then need to be processed by a downstream DAC.

It's not like it doesn't have an analog out too-- it's just that so does an M-Audio transit, and not a lot of people would consider that as an acceptable stopping point. But in principle this thing could be good even outside of its abilities as a transport. We won't know until somebody takes one for the team.

 

[agile_one]

Quote:

Originally Posted by facelvega It's not like it doesn't have an analog out too-- it's just that so does an M-Audio transit, and not a lot of people would consider that as an acceptable stopping point. But in principle this thing could be good even outside of its abilities as a transport. We won't know until somebody takes one for the team.

Ah ... you mean the 1/8" headphone jack in front? I missed that at first glance - was mesmerized by the 4 digital outputs in back.

 

[mrarroyo]

I like the fact it is portable! Wonder who will be the first one to try it out?

 

[facelvega]

come on, mrarroyo, it's your discovery! You know one of us will buy it off you later for practically what you paid. (unless you have to report that it sounds terrible, that is...)

 

[Tachikoma]

Quote:

內容: 好的DAC解碼器越出越多, 好的音源難找. 我開發的USB 音頻解碼器一方面是帶解碼的外置Sound Card, 避開了電腦機箱內的高頻及風扇等干擾, 另一方面亦是一個Hi-end的音源, 設計重點做好電源供電及數字輸出, 再外接高質素的DAC的話, 便可將你的電腦變為一台Hi-end的CD轉盤, 而且音質更好,容量更大, 操作更方便. 正面是USB插座及耳機音頻輸出(可用轉接線轉RCA頭直出功放), 背面是 光纖, 同軸(RCA), 同軸(BNC)和平行的AES/EBU. (詳情請參閱 http://www.TrendsAudio.com/EN/Produc...Audio_desc.htm) - 主要USB音頻轉換解碼晶片是Burr Brown的PCM2704 - 獨創穩壓供電電路(一般按原廠線路做的都是USB線上直取5V供電的),電 無論是USB上取電或外置供電都先經過穩壓才供應給PCM2704. (雙穩壓 - 數字/模擬各自獨立穩壓供) - 數字地和模擬地獨立分開, 網狀數字地, 實心模擬地, 再用磁珠接通 - 可選USB線上供電[方便]或外置供電[更好聲] (5號充電池1.2Vx4=5V供電, 不建議用普通電池1.5Vx4=6V電壓會過高, 不安全, 並會影響音質表現) - 四腳高精度時鐘晶振(+-10ppm) - 數字輸出用RS422 驅動IC同時驅動4組平行或非平行輸出, 還有AES/EBU(110ohm), 同軸(7

Translation:
The more DACs there are in the market, the harder it is to get good sources. This USB audio... thingy I invented serves two purposes: firstly it can act as an external soundcard (thus avoiding all electronic interference present inside a PC); secondly it is a high-end source (transport?). It incorporates a well-designed digital circuit and a quality power supply into its design, by connecting this unit to a high quality external DAC, you can convert your PC into a high end audio source blah blah blah.

The front panel has a USB input and a headphone output (convertable to RCA) while the back of the unit has RCA, BNC and AES/EBU outputs.

- the main USB audio...converting... chip is the Burr Brown PCM2704
- the unit has a unique power regulating circuit - all sources of power (the USB input or the 5V jack at the back) are passed through the regulation circuit before it is passed on to the PCM2704 chip.
- the digital and analog sections are separated... the rest of this sentence is beyond me.
-the unit is capable of using the USB input for power, or the 5V jack. The 5V jack is preferable, and it is not recommendable to use 6V power sources (like 4x1.5V batteries) as it is unsafe and may cause deterioration in performance.
-something about the clock... high precision and all.
-digital output uses a RS422, which simultaneously operates all 4 balanced or unbalanced digital outputs.

I haven't had chinese classes for two years now, so the translation may not be entirely accurate

 

[Dept_of_Alchemy]

It always amuses me that the Transit can be had for $90 and the next level up is the transports from Empirical Audio and starting at $600. All I want is a device that can take USB signals and turn it into SPDIF, without all the built-in-DAC nonsense...

 

[brospin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dept_of_Alchemy It always amuses me that the Transit can be had for $90 and the next level up is the transports from Empirical Audio and starting at $600. All I want is a device that can take USB signals and turn it into SPDIF, without all the built-in-DAC nonsense...

I agree with you and am looking for exactly the same. I guess there's not much available there. What I don't like form the Transit is that it is USB powered and that it has optical out only. Maybe the USB-Audiophile is more versatile, but it has a lot of features I don't need.

 

[agile_one]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrarroyo I like the fact it is portable! Wonder who will be the first one to try it out?

Just ordered one, Miguel.

Hopefully it will arrive before our FL meet on 12/2, and we can give it a good listen there. I'll report back in this thread when it arrives.

 

[mrarroyo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by agile_one Just ordered one, Miguel. Hopefully it will arrive before our FL meet on 12/2, and we can give it a good listen there. I'll report back in this thread when it arrives.

Look forward to it! Thanks.

 

[echo1]

Cool, I have been waiting for someone to take the plunge.I just got the Pesidea dac(its on the way) and am wondring if this is going to be better than than PClink from EdieWu.