First Steps into Computer Audio

Cerrot - thanks for explaining that a bit. I did a search but could not come up with much at all. Would you point out some URL's that expand more on this as applied to DACs? As I understand it USB is much easier to implement than Firewire and certainly most offerings in audio DACs and servers use USB. The ones that implement Firewire are usually much more expensive, like the DCS gear (which wouldn't be my inclination to recommend to someone stepping up from a card in their computer). Do you know of any reasonably priced Firewire DACs? Wavelength DACs are now using an asynchronous USB technology, but they do suggest using a Firewire hard drive to store your music library on. Empirical's offerings are all USB. Those are certainly two of the more respected computer-audio offerings in the high-end. I've listened to many USB DACs that do an outstanding job, packets or not. Certainly from the standpoint of what they sound like, I cannot hear any reason to dismiss USB on face value as a DAC interface. The computer audio solutions I've tried have all sounded equally as good, if not better than the best standalone player I've listened to and owned. None have used Firewire.

I've been studying computer audio intensively for several months and have found nothing to substantiate Cerrot's claims. Respectfully, I think you are wrong, buddy.

However, inexpensive USB audio sucks, in my experience. If you have a good system, products like the Keces, HagUsb, and the USB input on many otherwise good DACs are complete non-starters compared to playing a CD via a transport.

However, inexpensive USB audio sucks, in my experience. If you have a good system, products like the Keces, HagUsb, and the USB input on many otherwise good DACs are complete non-starters compared to playing a CD via a transport.

I tried the HAGUSB briefly and did not like it at all. That was many years ago - Perhaps they've improved it. The USB input on the MHDT DAC was good in my system and would easily compete with many of the standalone players I've owned. I would not consider it expensive at around $600 new. The current Modwright Transporter I use (via wireless, NOT usb) without any doubt at all exceeds any transport I've used via wireless connection to my music library two floors below in my basement. Using a transport into the DAC of the Modwright Transporter it is marginally better. Disclaimer: Modwright is one of my clients. The Benchmark USB DAC, though I ultimately did not like it for the same reasons I didn't like it via a transport, did not give up much via USB. I've heard the same USB Benchmark in a few rooms at both RMAF, CES and THE Show sounding quite good (contrary to my own experiments with it). Red Wine Audio's Isabellina DAC was sounding great via USB. Maybe I'm misinterpreting your intent, but it seems like it's a broad and sweeping statement you've made for having studied for "several months". Does that mean you've tried out many different USB DACs - if so, which ones? I guess I'd say my impressions are different (obviously) and I've been using computer audio for several years rather than months (and did not always favor it). I would agree that some of the cheap USB devices have the potential to be poor performers as does any cheaply built/designed component. No surprises there. I think the potential of PC Audio in general could easily exceed the performance of a CD transport. Check out the recent article on the high-rez formats and the Berkley Alpha DAC - I think in TAS...maybe January...or was it Decemeber? I'd suggest you give it a better chance as there is great potential there.

I hear what you are saying, but my experience has been disappointing and I've tried quite a few things. I'd love to hear your "Modwright Transporter I use (via wireless, NOT usb) without any doubt at all exceeds any transport I've used." I've tried the USB input on the Bel Canto DAC3 and Toslink out to a Benchmark, an Audio note and a Lavry. Will try the USB on the Bryston this weekend.

So each of those four DACs you've tried left you with a strong preference for a standalone player, and not liking USB DACs in general (I'm not sure I'm interpreting you correctly in that - forgive me if not)? Of those you noted I've only heard the Benchmark, which, as I mentioned, I did not like (found the highs ever strident - but same via a transport), so I could understand your not liking it. I've also heard the Bel Canto, though not in my system. The Bel Canto sounded great in the TAD room at RMAF '07 fwiw and to my ears, and again at CES recently in the Bel Canto room. I've not heard the other two. You sure seem to have liked the Ultra-fi iRoc USB DAC. From your ad:

Honestly, I would call it the most musical component I can remember owning -- by which I mean that it extracts the musical line in a compelling fashion from everything you play.

If you're ever up in the Seattle area you'd be most welcome to come over and hear the TP in my modest system. Ping me through A'gon for my contact info.