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USB - SPDIF on Eastern Electric DAC

I've recently gotten the upgrade bug and am looking to replace the stock USB input of my EE DAC with an asynchronous converter. I've tried a few USB to SPDIF converters, namely the Halide Design
Bridge, and the Stello U2 (which isn't asynch) fed into the RCA SPDIF input of the DAC. I've been having
some issues with the sound dropping out suddenly every 30 seconds or so
with both units. This doesn't happen at all when I use the stock USB
input, but does happen in both the RCA and BNC inputs when fed by the
USB->SPDIF converter. At first I thought it might be because I was using
a long USB wire, and the USB-> SPDIF converters (both being passive
devices) weren't getting enough current from the USB port. However, I put a 1 amp powered USB hub into the equation and also tried shorter USB
cables, but am still having the same problem. Have anyone ever heard of this problem or know of any remedies? Also I am using a macbook pro with OSX 10.6.4 and itunes if that helps. I'm thinking of trying either the musical fidelity V-link or ART legato, but am wary that these will have the same problem. Has anyone had any luck with any usb to spdif on this dac. Thanks, greatly appreciated.

Ron
linaeum66
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
USB converters/interfaces all use different drivers and firmware. Some have higher latency than others. Your computer must have a fast-responding I/O system in order to avoid drop-outs with some of these. I have personally had great results with Toshiba laptops and the Mac Mini. Terrible results with Dell. It can help to remove all other USB devices and kill virus scan and other unnecessary apps etc..

And the concept that an external USB converter (particularly async) might be better than the one built-in to your DAC is not so far-fetched.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
linaeum66 OP
60 posts
 
If it is true that the 9018 chip is particularly sensitive to jitter, that may be the issue since the halide bridge and stello U2 both have jitter around 300-400ps. Has anyone else tried the EE dac with the hiface or other converter. I believe the hiface has only around 45 ps of jitter, so it may be worth a shot.
tgrisham
1,291 posts
 
As stated above (and probably before your post came through), the Hiface has worked for me.

The only way you will know if an asynch USB will sound better is to buy it and try it. Also, you should be aware that Steve N. of Empirical Audio (see post above) sells the Off-Ramp, an asynch protocol USB converter for $799. This would be in addition to the DAC you already have. The Hiface sells for $200. Only you can tell if the difference is worth it.
cwlondon
1,210 posts
 

It would be very helpful if someone might shed more light on which of the asynchronous USB to SPDIF converters offer the best value per dollar:

Bel Canto?

Behringer?

Hagerman Tech?

Musical Fidelity?

Art Legato?

Wavelink?

Any others?
daffyd54
7 posts
 
Try the Audio-GD Digital Interface, I like it better than the stock M2Tech HiFace
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