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Seeking lower cost alternatives to Berkeley Audio Design Alpha USB converter

I am looking for a USB to optical audio converter.
The Alpha USB from Berkeley Audio Design is an external asynchronous USB to S/PDIF (or AES) interface. It's strictly a D to D converter accepting USB digital audio input and delivering digital audio output.
That's the type of product I'm looking for. However, at $1,895 the Berkeley Alpha USB is far more expensive than most similar products I've seen. Some of these products sell for less than $100.

I'm on a budget. Can anyone recommend one of the lower priced alternatives to the Alpha USB from Berkeley Audio Design?
lowoverdrive
lowoverdrive OP
169 posts
 
@fuzztone - thanks. I just ordered that. At that price I had to give it a try. Have you used it (or know anyone who has)?
@bk12 - I ordered the Matrix X-SPDIF 2 as well. I'll give both a try.
jgoldrick's avatar
jgoldrick
138 posts
 
I have the singzer su-1 kitsune edition.  I prefer it over usb to my DAC

lowoverdrive OP
169 posts
 
@jgoldrick - as luck would have it, I just found a mint condition Singxer KTE SU-1 "Kitsune Tuned Edition" at a good price.
pscar
23 posts
 
I have had good success with the Matrix Audio SPDIF. Thumbs up for build quality, SQ and value

good luck
pengun
79 posts
 
A network bridge may be what you are looking for. Ethernet is inherently low noise and is the best way to get bits from a computer to a DAC. I have a Pi2AES on a Raspberry Pi which produces very low levels of both noise and jitter, spanking much more expensive DDCs.
This may be useful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jvu_doQfAI0&t=152s&ab_channel=GoldenSound
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