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Cary Xciter DAC : USB input hit by lightning

A lightning storm hit my house and damaged a few appliances.
My beloved Cary Xciter DAC lost ability to play its USB input:
AFAIK I have 2 options :
1. Replace the entire main board. Ouch !$
2. Use the opportunity to upgrade to a M2tech Hiface 2 RCA USB to S/Pdif Adapter.
For this I would need to replace the connector of my high end Kimber Kable USB cable from this :
http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--XkVNcV2A--/17m9wsbic8y4zjpg.jpg
to this:
http://newnex.com/images/ura-1001-clear.jpg
Is there a way to do it while still retaining the quality of the Kimber USB cable ?
triskadecaphobic
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"Will reverting to M2tech Hiface 2 + a new digital RCA cable connected to SPdif input of the DAC provide better sound from my PC than a High End USB cable connected to USB input of the DAC ?"

Yes. The Highface is designed to designed to reduce jitter. It allows you to bypass the clock in your computer, and use the clock in the Highface. It should give you a noticeable increase in sound quality.

You don't have to buy a very expensive cable either. Something like an Audioquest Cinnamon would be a good choice. You can probably get one in Best Buy. If you don't like it, you can always return it.
mesch
3,527 posts
 
An outboard USB/SPDIF converter is the best option. Likely would improve the sonics over the supplied USB input.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"02-01-15: Mesch
An outboard USB/SPDIF converter is the best option. Likely would improve the sonics over the supplied USB input."

That's what the Hiface2 is.
mesch
3,527 posts
 
Yes Zd, I owned one. My intent was to agree with your post. I think Trisk’s option 2 seems the best. :-)
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