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spdif/USB converter vs DAC upgrade

Right now I am not really using any computer based audio source. I do have my old laptop connected to my integrated amp using the headphones output. My laptop does not have a SP/dif output. This setup is only used during parties when people want to play you-tube/spotify stuff. However I am thinking about buying a NAS and use DBpoweramp to rip my CD collection. But then to get a half decent sound I need to use the USB output of the laptop. That means that I have more or less 2 options.
1) I buy a USB to SP/diff converter like Stello U3/SOTM dx-USB etc and maybe buy something like the ifi usb power. Then connect it to my Wadia 12.
2) Buy a new DAC something like the Schiit Gungnir/Metrum Octave mkII with a USB input.

Both options have their pros and cons. In the far future I might need to upgrade my DAC anyway for high ress audio. But for ripped CDs 16/44.1 is good enough. I am looking for something that is at least as good as my CEC TL51x Wadia 12 combo.

But maybe a cheaper solution like a Schitt Bitforst or the M2tech USB evo will be good enough. It would be great if the future streaming would sound a lot better when compared with my CEC transport. But I am not willing to spend lots of money to gain a slight improvement.
mordante
vicdamone
850 posts
 
So, to be clear. I'm running Pure Music with a Mac Mini (10.7.5 Lion?) which has the changed core audio API?

Any suggestions with this system?

Comcast modem > ethernet cable > Mac Mini 10.7.5 Pure music (Samsung Blu-ray Disc) > MeiCord ethernet cable > Apple Time Machine wireless > Logitech Squeezebox Touch with Channel Island Linear P/S> Straight Wire Data-Link RCA cable > Metrum Acoustics Octave NOS DAC,

I was considering simply adding The Empirical SM reclocker between the Squeezebox and the DAC since my main media source is vinyl.

But now I'm not sure if an iPad controlled dedicated Mini > USB/SPDIF converter > BNC equipped DAC would be a substantial improvement as well as aid in future flexibility.
doggiehowser
672 posts
 
I preferred Audirvana Plus to Pure Music. See if you can pick up a second hand Audiophileo or Wavelink HS or OffRamp to experiment. The Audiophileo might be the cheapest of the bunch to try out.
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,405 posts
 
I use a Musical Fidelity V-Link 192 into my Wyred4Sound DAC 1. It sounds wonderful. I read an earlier post that the Wyred dac upsamples everything. Not so! My Wyred dac displays the proper sampling rate. If it was recorded at 44.1, that is what displayed. If it was recorded at 48, 96, 176.6 or 192, that is what is displayed on both the V Link 192 and dac.

Regardless, the V Link 192 is an inexpensive way to go for a usb/spdif converter. The person I bought the V Link from (bought it used) replaced it with the Berkley USB/SPDIF converter and said the difference in sound quality is very minute and the Berkley sells for at least 4 times the price of the V link 192.
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