Jason...here's another option that has gotten a lot of good reviews but is still slightly above your budget at $169: http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/trends4/usb.html
ESI Audio Dr. DAC nano - USB to S/PDIF interface
I'm looking for a USB 2.0 to S/PDIF interface, and I came accross the ESI Audio Dr. DAC nano:
http://www.esi-audio.com/products/drdacnano/
These are my requirements for a computer interface:
(1) connects to a Windows computer (most likely running Windows 7) via USB 2.0. No PCI cards, no firewire... must be USB 2.0.
(2) has bit-perfect S/PDIF (or AES) output. It could be coax, optical, XLR (for AES), whatever kind of connection, it doesn't matter. But it needs to be bit-perfect S/PDIF (or AES).
(3) support for 24 bit / 96 kHz stereo files.
I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with the ESI Audio Dr. DAC nano. I used to own a WaveTerminal 24/96 PCI soundcard made from this company, and was pleased with it. So that's a good starting point, but I'd really like to hear from someone who has used this specific product before I buy one.
Or alternatively, if anyone has any other recommendations for a different product that fits my needs (as outlined above), that would be great to hear as well.
Thanks,
Jason
http://www.esi-audio.com/products/drdacnano/
These are my requirements for a computer interface:
(1) connects to a Windows computer (most likely running Windows 7) via USB 2.0. No PCI cards, no firewire... must be USB 2.0.
(2) has bit-perfect S/PDIF (or AES) output. It could be coax, optical, XLR (for AES), whatever kind of connection, it doesn't matter. But it needs to be bit-perfect S/PDIF (or AES).
(3) support for 24 bit / 96 kHz stereo files.
I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with the ESI Audio Dr. DAC nano. I used to own a WaveTerminal 24/96 PCI soundcard made from this company, and was pleased with it. So that's a good starting point, but I'd really like to hear from someone who has used this specific product before I buy one.
Or alternatively, if anyone has any other recommendations for a different product that fits my needs (as outlined above), that would be great to hear as well.
Thanks,
Jason
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- 9 posts total
Finally, @$129, this is another option: http://www.hagtech.com/hagusb.html |
Cmalak, Thanks for the continued suggestions. While both of those are a little more than my initial budget, the $100 is more of a "soft" limit, and I could go a little higher if absolutely necessary. However, both the Trends Audio USB converter and the HagUsb are limited to 48 kHz, and can't handle 96kHz. So both of those are out of the running. I had looked at the Trends Audio device already and eliminated it because of that issue. But I hadn't yet taken a look at the HagUsb device. It's too bad that it's limited to 48 kHz. Any other thoughts or suggestions? |
Jason...the only other thing i can think of are the HRT Musicstreamer USB DACs which support 24/96 digital formats but they are standalone DACs not converters and they got solid reviews (http://www.musicstreamer.co.nz/). My sense was that you wanted to use a USB to S/PDIF converter to use with an existing DAC. Here is a resource that might be useful: http://thewelltemperedcomputer.com/HW/USB_DAC.htm The other resource that might be useful are the forums at the Computer Audiophile website: http://www.computeraudiophile.com/ Hope this helps Jason. Good luck with your search. |
Jason...finally, i just remembered this review at 6moons.com for the Stello U2 (april Music) but it's for $349: http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/aprilmusic5/u2.html Ofcourse there are more expensive options like the Off-Ramp from Empirical Audio and Sonicweld Diverter 24/96 USB to SPDIF converter which got a Positive Feedback Brutus award recently. I am all out of ideas for you Jason :-) |
- 9 posts total