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Sonicweld Diverter HR, etc...

At present, I'm running a Locus Design Cynosure USB cable into a modified (by Parts Connexion) Benchmark DAC 1. The signal goes through Kimber Select 1036 to active Mackie monitors, and I'm pretty pleased with the sound.

I'm considering a Sonicweld Diverter HR, which then of course means buying a S/PDIF cable, and it would have to be one reasonably commensurate with the quality of the Cynosure, and then maybe I would buy a better and more advanced DAC like the Bel Canto 3.5.

So my question is, what kind of improvement should I expect from the Diverter and associated cables and a new DAC? I'd be in for SEVERAL thousand more dollars in that arrangement, and it would never be worth it for a 5-10% improvement in sonics. But if the upgrade were more like 30-40%, I could deal with it a little easier.

Can anyone weigh in on this conundrum?
thedautch
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Andrew - I got a reliable report that the DH Labs cable is stellar. They make good cables. I can recommend this one.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
andrewd01
6 posts
 
Thanks Steve,
I am currently using a Kimber Select 2020 0.75m BNC-BNC between offramp 4 and ARC DAC8. I have since read your advice that a1.5m cable is recommended. The same Kimber cable would be very expensive, so I am looking for alternatives that have equal or better performance, but more reasonable cost. I would be prepared to pay $500-$600.

cheers
elberoth2's avatar
elberoth2
1,223 posts
 
I don't know about the BADA USB (and I have a Berkeley DAC), but it's true that it uses the same asynchronous algorithm as the Wavelength

It is not true, and algorithm used (as long as it is asynchronous) has very little effect on sound quality anyway.

What matters is a quality of clocks used and level of isolation from computer gremlins riding on USB interface converter can provide.
audiofun
799 posts
 
The alogorythm does in fact make a huge difference and the BADA USB does is in fact re-packaged Streamlength tech which Wavelength purchased from the original developer of the code (not that there is anything wrong with that). This whole "as long as it is Asynch thing" has gone on for too long. I have owned a good number of these units and the best BY FAR is the Diverter HR and number 2? it was a Kingrex UC192 running the Synchronous version of there firmware. The whole Asynch thing was a marketing ploy and judging by the way people have taken to it.., a successful ploy at that. All I am saying is that regardless of synch or asynch if it is done correctly it can sound very very good indeed. If you really want to up the ante, add the ifi iUSBPower interface between your computer and USB/SPDIF converter of choice. You will be shocked!
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Audiofun - the Async thing like any other marketing is carried too far, I agree. However, given that I have done 5 generations of USB interfaces (some Adaptive and some Async), more than any other manufacturer, I can guarantee you that you can NEVER achieve the same level of jitter with Adaptive that you can with Async, given the same designer and clock quality. This is simple physics. Free-running clocks will always be a better solution.

Async is a breakthrough technology for USB, there is no doubt.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
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