Yes another USB converter....

I have an easy one for you: do these USB converters are that truly different from each other? I mean are they realy on different levels if you compare the ones you can find used like the affordable RedWine Audio to the crazy expensive Empirical stuff?

I like the Canto presentation but at $500 (US) this need to be good.

Thanks in advance.

Amicalement

http://www.head-case.org/forums/audio-accessories/5000-bel-canto-high-rez-usb-playback-last.html

http://www.head-case.org/forums/audio-accessories/5000-bel-canto-high-rez-usb-playback-last.html

Thanks......but after reading the linked thread I learned only one interesting fact: Justin is working on a similar device....

Amicalement

Thanks......but after reading the linked thread I learned only one interesting fact: Justin is working on a similar device....

Amicalement

Yep, and I'm willing to bet it'll come in better looking case.

Yep, and I'm willing to bet it'll come in better looking case.

OK you win....

But I'm still wondering if the iMac I will buy next month will benefit from such a costly converter if I want to use it with my Ack Dack 2.0

I like this dac but a $500. converter seems a bit over the top unless there is no real gain from these higher level converters.

Just wondering.

Amicalement

the iMac has a bit perfect optical output.

Yes but I dont think it will work with the Ack Dack.

Amicalement

for a whole lot less money

does the Ack Dack only have a coax connector? in that case, a toslink to coax adapter would be a better bet, i would think.

I just looked into that option. And indeed this will cost a lot less (around $50). I just hope this will (the adapter) keep the sound at a the same quality level as the one I was looking for with a converter.

Thanks for your suggestions.

Amicalement

Rat Shack had digital converts (coaxial to optical or coptical to coaxial) converters on closeout for $10 each about a month ago. I bought one, kind of wish I'd bought them out.

I just hope this will (the adapter) keep the sound at a the same quality level as the one I was looking for with a converter.

I doubt converting one format of digital to another will introduce, amplify, or attenuate jitter. I suspect it will be exactly the same.

[url=http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.audioauthority.com/images/products/977rpo_scaled_740.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.audioauthority.com/product_details/977RPO&usg=__JWUsTMqbuWMSat3cjZZ_pus_haQ=&h=555&w=740&sz=19&hl=fr&start=1&tbnid=oxZPUZf_e5gBIM:&tbnh=106&tbnw=141&prev=/images%3Fq%3D977%2BRPO%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Dfr]R

I would get something like this instead:

AudiogoN ForSale: Theta Digital TLC

Or the popular Monarchy DIP.

It can convert TOSlink to coax and vice versa, but it also acts as a jitter reducer. You can find these used for around $100. If you can find one, these are a better value than a strict TOS-coax converter.

The first time I heard the Ack! dAck! 2.0 was through the Theta TLC being fed from a computer with Chaintech AV710 outputting TOSlink and it sounded great.

They're only a better value if you believe that jitter is a problem with modern digital gear.

I still don't get what the fuck this Bel Canto unit does that's so great (according to Bel Canto, at least).

I thought it's claim to fame was being able to get bit perfect jitter free 24/96 music out of a computer that only has USB and no coax or optical out, so your coax capable DAC can decode it splendidly. Of course for the same price you could get a Mac mini with optical out, but some peeps claim it will have more jitter than something like the Bel Canto.

As has been said here repeatedly, most modern DACs worth their salt re-clock the signal, thus making jitter all but irrelevant.

As has been said here repeatedly, most modern DACs worth their salt re-clock the signal, thus making jitter all but irrelevant.

Right, so that still leaves reason #1.

There's jitter in my thread....

OK I found what I was looking for and it's from M-Audio.

Many thanks for the $ saved.

Amicalement

There's jitter in my thread....

OK I found what I was looking for and it's from M-Audio.

Many thanks for the $ saved.

Amicalement

Not nearly expensive enough..... heresy

Not nearly expensive enough..... heresy

LOL....dont worry there's more cables involved with this new configuration....

Amicalement