USB to SPDIF comparisons

[kray]

So I've decided to try out a couple things.

First I want to convert USB from Mac mini to SPDIF to feed my DAC.

I was first going to try the Schiit Eitr, which I've read great things about. Then I stumbled upon that you can use the Topping D10 as a USB to SPDIF converter at less than half the price. I don't like Topping DAC's, but the measurements seem just as good or better than the Eitr for conversion.

This is will help me decide next step. If the D10 does a good job and I can hear the betterment, I'm willing to grab an Eitr to compare. After that comparison, I plan to also try out the Allo DigiOne Signature as a RoonBridge. It has a dedicated SPDIF board with clean power. All in all the most I'd spend here is $350. Gotta love the digital age, keeps getting cheaper to try stuff.

I'll be posting my results. I get the D10 today so that will be the first test.

 

[mprince]

HiFiMeDIY sells a USB DAC that also is a USB to optical converter. Used one for years and the DAC (ESS Sabre) was great for the sub-$40 price tag. Worked great with a first-generation RPi as well as a "hacked" Pogoplug.

I now use an RPi 3B+/Allo DigiOne wired to the DAC in my preamp via BNC. Mine is set up with Squeezelite as I am a Logitech Media Server user.

 

[kray]

HiFiMeDIY sells a USB DAC that also is a USB to optical converter. Used one for years and the DAC (ESS Sabre) was great for the sub-$40 price tag. Worked great with a first-generation RPi as well as a "hacked" Pogoplug.

I now use an RPi 3B+/Allo DigiOne wired to the DAC in my preamp via BNC. Mine is set up with Squeezelite as I am a Logitech Media Server user.

I love my existing DAC, so won't be changing that out. How do you like the Allo's SPDIF output compared to others you've tried?

 

[mprince]

I love my existing DAC, so won't be changing that out. How do you like the Allo's SPDIF output compared to others you've tried?

I like the DigiOne. Previously I was using a Chromecast Audio as a Squeezebox device into my DAC's optical input. Adding an ifi iPurifier (reclocker) improved things a bit, and replacing it all with the DigiOne is even better.

 

[kray]

Got the Topping D10 in. I have an official 75-ohm digital coax being delivered later today (Mogami) but have been playing around with a low capacitance Van Damme RCA cable for now.

So far converting to SPDIF has been very minimal differences but I can hear subtleties differences between the direct USB to Soekris and USB->Topping->SPDIF->Soekris.

The minor differences I do hear sound better feeding the Soekris via SPDIF. More testing to do. Luckily Roon makes it fairly easy to go back and forth after I switch out USB

 

[BigElCat]

The XMOS 208 has rave reviews, it's pretty much the latest technology.

I use the Singxer F-1, with power supplied from iFi iPower.

It's great. There are less expensive XMOS 208 spdif converters on the market.

 

[cpt_paranoia]

There are less expensive XMOS 208 spdif converters on the market

Not an XMOS, but there are certainly some cheap converters around...

https://m.banggood.com/DAC-Decoder-...log-Output-Coaxial-HiFi-Module-p-1173764.html

It's a DAC as well...

 

[BigElCat]

Amanero is the other 'best' USB to S/PDIF converter.

 

[StuartB]

I recently added a stand alone dac to my set up. Because my MAC is more than 15 feet from my system I chose to use a Schiit Eitr to convert to SPDIF to solve the distance issue. For me it worked like a charm and I think the Eitr eliminates any USB nuances as it employs the latest USB conversion technology (if you believe everything you read). I also use a Canare coax cable that is meant for an SPDIF signal.

Good luck.

 

[pete_mac]

Not an XMOS, but there are certainly some cheap converters around...

https://m.banggood.com/DAC-Decoder-...log-Output-Coaxial-HiFi-Module-p-1173764.html

It's a DAC as well...

Cheap yes... but the PCM2704 is lacking sonically compared to a well-executed asynchronous USB interface in my opinion and experience. Give me a nice XMOS or Amanero-based unit any day of the week - it is worth the extra expense.

 

[cpt_paranoia]

but the PCM2704 is lacking sonically compared to a well-executed asynchronous USB interface

No dispute there; I was stressing the cheap bit...

 

[pete_mac]

No dispute there; I was stressing the cheap bit...

Indeed - stupendously cheap for what it is!

 

[BigElCat]

People need to do these comparisons blind, not sighted. Your brain is automatically biasing what you are listening to.

You and I should design the first valid field study, and then do it at an Audiofest.

I have a remote controlled switch box with four inputs, and four matching Belkin Silver coax cables.

The Singxer F-1 would be one of the four converters, I already have that one.

I'd be willing to lug my PC, and the rest, to the event. We'd need matching USB cables, I have quite a few but none are identical.

 

[spartree]

My DAC doesn’t have a USB or toslink input, so I was forced to find a suitable converter to take the output from my Mac Mini. I did read good things about the Topping D10, but went with the Matrix Audio X-SPDIF 2 in the end. It’s a nice piece of kit, very heavy and solid for its size, and it does the job I need it to do. In my search I also found a fellow in the Ukraine who is making USB to SPDIF converters which somehow use a tube clock. It seems odd to me, but I’m kind of intrigued to give it a go for the hell of it. I believe the old Ah! Njoe Tjoeb CD player utilized a tube clock, as did the PrimaLuna CD players...

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.de/ulk/itm/362543809645

 

[cpt_paranoia]

fellow in the Ukraine who is making USB to SPDIF converters which somehow use a tube clock

Probably just using a valve as the amplifier/inverter for the crystal oscillator.

 

[kray]

So update... was able to pickup a used DXIO Pro3Z usb to spdif and it’s a clear winner. Does an excellent job.

It has a power toggle switch to disable usb power and use external power. I currently use a 5v 2a batter pack to power it.

https://www.diyinhk.com/shop/audio-...noise-1uv-regulator-wmanual-power-switch.html

 

[BigElCat]

^^^A double XMOS...very interesting.

Here's my Singxer

 

[kray]

^^^A double XMOS...very interesting.

Here's my Singxer

That was on my list too but found the DXIO used at too good a price to pass up

 

[Bill Ferris]

I`ve been using a no longer currently produced Peachtree X1 converter for around 5 years now, running 24/7 with very good results ..
Though it doesn`t have a USB bypass power switch, it`s USB connected to a hub(with nothing else plugged in) that is powered by a non SMPS 3 ampere 5 volt DC power source wall wart..
But, in my case, my, IMHO, OPPO UDP-203 feeding the same exact WAV. ripped music files(via a flash drive, sounds slightly better than the same WAV. originating source music dedicated backup laptop through the X1 USB to S/PDIF coax converter feeding the same HQ DAC, via a quality INDAY brand 4X1 S/PDIF selector switch..
But that is my current setup, and experience..
YMMV.

 

[BigElCat]

The F-1 doesn't have a dedicated power connection. I use a short Pangea USB cable from a dedicated sound card (Paul Pang v2). The sound card is power by external 5 VDC, therefore. the Singxer is powered by the same external power source. Forget to mention this is all in a desktop PC.

I use this iFi iPower.

I didn't hear any sound improvement from using external power. Didn't hear any improvement when I installed the Paul Pang card. The Singxer was a noticeable improvement.