lcrim wrote: > I have read through this thread a number of times in an attempt to find > a budget async USB DAC that offers an improvement in sound quality > without breaking the bank. I have two systems both w/ SBT that share an > LMS server running on a remote Win XP netbook w/ wired ethernet > connections. The heavy majority of what I listen to are Redbook rips. > Both SBT have had their analog outputs modded to bypass electolytic > caps. Sound quality is very good but adding an external DAC to each > system may improve things. > I think that this question has been asked before but I can find only > hints about how best to spend my limited resources. The HRT streamers > and the Audioengine D1 (though adaptive not asynchronous) are powered > via the USB bus and fairly cost effective as well. But there's not much > evidence that these will work or are an improvement. I use low powered > single ended tube amps and high efficiency speakers because I like that > sound. Suggestions are welcomed. > Larry
Is this not like putting the cart in front of the horse ? If on a budget just get the best dac you can afford and if it so happens to have usb async interface use that (and load the EDO app ) if ti has spdiff or toslink use that (with or without edo won't matter realistically ). On modern competently designed dac's *) the "interface problem" should not be a deciding factor , the whole package should be considered, spdiff is not perfect but the practical impact is greatly exaggerated and mythical just like the jitter word, a good dac deals with this . 0.02$ *) with your SET hobby you may be exposed to many cargo cult designed dac's that are not competently designed ,like nos dac's or very weird passive I/v solutions and designers caring more for silver wiring and tube rolling or other unknown absurdities than actual performance. Then all bets are off, the designer may have fantasies about what the design accomplish but no real EE skills, take care :) I don't mean to be condescending ,but there many dead ends in hign end audio imho . ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mnyb's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=4143 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=94512 _______________________________________________ Touch mailing list [email protected] http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/touch
