Firewire to SPDIF

Rabbani, I'm not up on the Hi ez downloads as I have only ripped CD's to an external HD using EAC. The Maudio (Firewire Solo) does convert Firewire to SPDIF, which is how I use it. I have a very simple need (no recording, multiple tracks, etc) so I ent with the Solo as I didn't need all the inputs that the 400 & 800 offer (saved some money).

I prefer Firewire over USB and the Solo allows me to (1)use my PC output of choice and (2) doesn't limit me to Dacs with a USB (or firewire--if there were any/many)input.

The firewire goes into a Monarchy DIP, and then MF XDAC V3 (w/PSU) into tube intergraded. The Solo does handle 24 bit 96kHz. They have a great website-www.m-audio.com

I just played back some HD Tracks I downoaded a while ago and the MAudio Interface does show 96kHz. Listening to Rimsky Korsakov now and it does sound......AWESOME.

I should look more into this Hi Rez stuff.

Al, I missed your post. A sound card with spdif out would be great. I didn't want to spend the bucks for a top flight sound card (Lynx, etc) so just went the firewire route. I used spdif out which was on my motherboard (SigmaTel) and didn't like it. I'm sure I would love the Lynx spdif out, just, at this point, I'm kind of done opening up my 'puter, configuring sound cards, driver compatability and all those lovely windows issues (I'm not a Mac guy). Just my preference.

Hello Cerrot,
Nice to you see your respond for hi rez download n play back the same though M-audio solo. To be frank I am an audiophiler but new in setting of computer based Transport. Can you pls suggest other than Apple, which company/model (IBM,Hp,del)PC can do/handle hi rez audio files?in my place the apple computers are very expensive also not available all models.

Your info. help lot for me to do the setting the computer based auido transport to my dac.

Thanks in advance.

Rabanni,

I always built my own computers (never was a Mac guy) but got tired of it and purchased a gateway 2 years ago. Went a bit overboard spending $5,000 (it is a screamer) but I do photography so wanted the fastest available (CPU, HD and RAM) so went for the fastest I could find. You don't need to get that crazy. I absolutely HATE HP and most other commercial brands - they think loading up your hard drive with (nonsense) software is good while it only kills your operating system (in speed, boot up, etc)performance. I went with Vista OS. Would probably go windows 7 today. I have had a few Dells and as long as they followed my specs when they were built, I have not had any issues. (I would have gotten a Dell instead of the Gateway but they insisted in selling me a Blu Ray drive, which I did not want--gotta have it my way). I have no experience with IBM. Key is specs, no OEM products, licensed operating system, fast Intel CPU (try to get the latest), I like 10,000 RPM hard drives (in a RAID array suits me) and good ram (CORSAIR, etc). I don't need a good sound card as I use firewire out, so I don't have a spec for that. (I did go with a top shelf graphics card, though, for the photograpy). I'm a little fussy with my puter so I may not be the guy to ask. I'm sure you can get something very suitable for PC audio without spending that much money, in fact, I know you can.