Does this dac exist?

Bryon - the problem is that Microsoft and Apple have not yet put any audio streaming software out that interfaces with networking. This may never happen, but we hope it will. This is the only thing that will enable third-party software packages like Amarra to work with a networked DAC.

Until this happens, you are stuck with custom software for each networked implementation, such as Sonos or Squeezecenter etc..

If you are needing 30 feet, you can actually use a USB cable. There is a special build for this length. You can also split the cable length between the I2S and the USB cables, but I would not recommend making the I2S cable longer than 2 meters. It has to carry signals to almost 50MHz.

It is really more important that you like the sound of the particular DAC. Trying to buy components based on specs or what chip is used never works IME. You should definitely go for an adaptive USB interface with low-jitter clocks however. There will be one compatible with PSAudio I2S soon.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

Steve - Thanks for the explanation and the advice. FWIW, I agree with you that a person should not choose a dac based on specs or chips.

What I am trying to do is maximize SQ (low jitter, error correction), flexibility (distance of computer to dac), and functionality (compatibility with Amarra/Pure Music). The thing I am most willing to give up is the long distance of the computer to the dac.

A few questions for you, Steve:

1. Can the EA Overdrive dac be controlled with Amarra or Pure Music when using the async USB input?

2. Does the Overdrive require drivers with a Mac, or is it like the Pace Car in that you plug it in and it automatically shows up in Preferences>Sound>Output?

3. Is the Overdrive compatible with Mac's "aggregate device" function, so that the outputs of a software-based crossover can be sent to two different dacs simultaneously?

Thanks,
Bryon

"1. Can the EA Overdrive dac be controlled with Amarra or Pure Music when using the async USB input?"

Yes.

"2. Does the Overdrive require drivers with a Mac, or is it like the Pace Car in that you plug it in and it automatically shows up in Preferences>Sound>Output?"

It requires a driver be loaded. All of my Async USB interfaces need this.

"3. Is the Overdrive compatible with Mac's "aggregate device" function, so that the outputs of a software-based crossover can be sent to two different dacs simultaneously?"

I have heard of others using this with Off-Ramp 4 etc.., but I have not been successful when I tried it. I'm not that experienced with Mac.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

Thanks, Steve.

Sorry for going of topic. But how come I2S is still not the digital standard for a CD transport and DAC interface. As far as I understand it istechnically far superior to sp/dif, thoslink, AES/ebu, AT&T optical etc.