USB v. FireWire

[vcoheda]

The vendor where I placed my order for my Mini DAC USB told me that Apogee has discontinued the UBS version in favor of FireWire (says it is superior). I ran some searches comparing the two and FireWire seems better in terms of processing data (faster). Have no idea if this will have any impact on the music though.

Does anyone know?

I sent an email to Apogee to confirm this information. But it may be true as I found a similar statement - that the USB version has been discontinued - from another vendor.

So the question is: What do I do know. I looked over my Dell computer carefully and don't see a FireWire Port. My computer is only a year old, but I know that they are not common. I read one computer site that said if you did not specify a FireWire port, you probably don't have one. And on the Dell website, the IEEE port is listed as "optional" on their top models. So now I have no DAC.

1. Do I try to purchase a discontinued Mini-DAC USB, go FireWire, or get a Benchmark DAC1 USB or something else?

2. Also, what is the easiest way to get FireWire connectivity on my computer? What would I have to purchase. Provide links if possible.

Thanks

 

[Spare Tire]

Open up your computer and look at the motherboard see if they don't have a firewire header. If you have one and want to plug something into it, just get one of those plate slot thing to put at the back.
Picture's worth a thousand word:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/USB-2-0-FireWire-...QQcmdZViewItem
something that looks like that

 

[vcoheda]

It looks like I could use this for my desktop to get a FireWire port. It costs about $20.

3 Plus 1 Port Firewire Card Pci

http://www.amazon.com/Plus-Port-Fire...4503523&sr=1-1

So if this works, then the question is do I still want a mini-dac usb or should i go firewire?

 

[mastercheif]

A little cheaper...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16815265003

 

[vcoheda]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mastercheif /img/forum/go_quote.gif A little cheaper... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16815265003

thanks for the link.

But the larger issue is FireWire v. USB. Has anyone compared the two. Does anyone think there may be a difference in terms of sound quality.

 

[labrat]

Deleted.

 

[vcoheda]

Quote:

Originally Posted by labrat /img/forum/go_quote.gif The FireWire /1394 connection can deliver more power/higher voltage to devices that takes power over the FireWire-connector. My experience has also learned me that FireWire (400 Mbs) is more efficient than USB 2.0 (480 Mbs). I really doubt that FireWire will give better audio-quality than USB 2.0. But sorry to say, Apple seems to be phasing out it's FireWire I/F in favour of USB, as even new Apple computers come without FireWire-connector as standard.

I know that USB is more prevalent because it can be used for more applications than FireWire, so I am not surprised that Apple is phasing it out. I wonder why Apogee would discontinue the Mini DAC USB in favor of FireWire? I mean why not offer both. Unless it really sounds better, it doesn't make sense. Or maybe for the majority of their customers, it does. I don't know.

 

[grawk]

Briefly apples came without firewire, but they all have them again. Firewire is better able to handle 24/96 and 24/192 than usb, generally. I'd go firewire. You can also get pcmcia/cardbus firewire cards.

 

[threEchelon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vcoheda /img/forum/go_quote.gif I know that USB is more prevalent because it can be used for more applications than FireWire, so I am not surprised that Apple is phasing it out. I wonder why Apogee would discontinue the Mini DAC USB in favor of FireWire? I mean why not offer both. Unless it really sounds better, it doesn't make sense. Or maybe for the majority of their customers, it does. I don't know.

Firewire is can transfer more data, but USB is cheaper and easier to implement.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wikipedia.org It is used instead of the more common USB due to its faster effective speed, higher power-distribution capabilities, and because it does not need a computer host. Perhaps more importantly, FireWire makes full use of all SCSI capabilities and, compared to USB 2.0 Hi-Speed, has higher sustained data transfer rates

 

[joe_cool]

Firewire (IEEE 1394, iLink, etc.) was designed for bulk transfer and streaming of audio and video. I recommend a controller based on the TI or NEC chipsets. You can get a good deal on eBay for cards and cables. If you're in a hurry or not sure which to get, buy two different ones like I did (1 Adaptec and 1 Western Digital).

 

[bordins]

Historically, FireWire 400Mbs was born when no one had an idea about USB. Apple who owns the Firewire technology was the only player for pro audio, in studio. So, the pro equipments have FireWire connectivity, plus FireWire switchers. USB started with 10Mbs.

Both FireWire and USB are just choices of a perfect digital link. For analog sound reproduction, you need more than just the mean.

BTW, S/PDIF came first but its technology is more sensitive to jitter.

There is also a need in live concert where timing is very critical. I believe FireWire has been designed to work very well under this circumstance in which each digital instruments transmit a large number of information to MIDI processors.

 

[vcoheda]

I just spoke to someone at Apogee. The Mini-DAC USB is not going to be discontinued but it will be available in smaller quantities. Whether those smaller quantities in time translate to just plain not available is unclear. He said FireWire had two advantages over USB. The first is that FireWire can sample at a higher rate 192k whereas USB is limited to 44.1/48k and second, and I guess related to the first, is that a FireWire connection will have a lower latency than USB. He said a lower latency was important for professionals using the DAC in a studio setting. I told him that I was merely going to use the Mini-DAC for casual listening and he said that, if that was the case, it probably did not matter which connection I purchased - USB or FireWire.

He said a lot of other stuff too, but I didn't understand any of it.

 

[lowmagnet]

Well the Firewire connectors on my Macs have always been flaky probably due to the geometry of the connector (square on one side, rounded on the other) which makes them idiot proof but unreliable connections. I have a Firewire CF reader/writer that exhibits some disconnection issues when bumped, as well as and external drive that's completely useless because it can't stay up. I can't say the same for USB, since I run almost everything from my USB2 ports. I haven't tried Firewire 800, but it appears to have a more stable connector.

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vcoheda /img/forum/go_quote.gif The first is that FireWire can sample at a higher rate 192k whereas USB is limited to 44.1/48k

Well, apparently USB can do 24/96.

My only encounter with Firewire audio was Aureon Firewire 7.1 24/192k. I'd say the most unstable audio card I ever own, besides occasional freezes requiring card reboot I could never fully get rid of crackles during playback even when playing 44.1, 192k was totally useless because of constant stuttering.
On the other hand my USB cards - Audigy 2NX and Transit were always stable like a rock. Or yeah, and HR MicroDAC and Stello DA100 from USB rock solid as well.

 

[werdwerdus]

wikipedia is your friend: Quote:

Originally Posted by wikipedia.org These and other differences reflect the differing design goals of the two buses: USB was designed for simplicity and low cost, while FireWire was designed for high performance, particularly in time-sensitive applications such as audio and video.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usb#FireWire