February 7, 201016 yr comment_323754 This one, "Taralabs"... Native 24bit 96k USB to Spdif I2S Converter for DAC - eBay (item 270517709517 end time Feb-17-10 17:30:38 PST) ... but I read "Teralabs". Whatever, it does use the Tenor chip, like the Prodigy Cube I am using now, but it is a simpler desing (no DAC inside so no line outs and no headphone out) with the option of off-board power supply. I am happy with my unit (does native 24/96 and changes the sampling frequency on the fly with foobar) save for a problem with some 24/88'2 files (does not recognise the 88'2 fq). But "no drivers" makes me happy... Anyone to test it? Padam were you not looking for something like that? Report
February 7, 201016 yr comment_323755 I need to set up the Parasound first but it hasn't arrived yet, then decide whether this or the HiFace. Report
February 7, 201016 yr Author comment_323757 Yups, remember the Parasound does not go higher than 48kHz: you can use a simpler adapter with it (even put inside the case to avoid one more connection), there are many around based on the 270X chips for around $30. The beauty of this "Taralab" (sic) is going up to 96kHz with no drivers. The beauty of the HiFace looks to lie on its layout and clocks. Report
February 11, 201016 yr comment_325025 Yes I know, but the asynchronous data transfer should provide an advantage on 16bit as well. Or maybe I am wrong Report
February 11, 201016 yr comment_325199 The thing seems to be called "TeraLink X2" and the company is TeraDak Audio Electric Company. Tera Labs makes audio cables only as far as I know. Report
February 11, 201016 yr comment_325201 Yes I know, but the asynchronous data transfer should provide an advantage on 16bit as well. Or maybe I am wrong You aren't. Report
February 12, 201016 yr comment_325224 Yes I know, but the asynchronous data transfer should provide an advantage on 16bit as well. Or maybe I am wrong You aren't. Indeed. I have experienced much improvement using async usb to spdif from 16/44 to 24/96. Report
February 12, 201016 yr comment_325243 The main problem with the HiFace is that one cannot use magic USB cables with it Report
February 12, 201016 yr comment_325259 The main problem with the HiFace is that one cannot use magic USB cables with it You just have to order it terminated to USB-A female; waiting for the someone that will do this and actually end up only lowering their bandwidth and getting farther from spec. Report
February 12, 201016 yr comment_325355 Good to see more cheap async USB SPDIF converters coming out. $900 for a wavelink is just nutso. FWIW, I'm very happy with my HiFace. Report
February 18, 201016 yr comment_326910 From what I gather though, the Tenor chip is unreliable according to the maker of the chip themselves, something re-enforced by my Audiotrak Prodigy Cube (which uses one) dying on me soon after I bought it. Report
February 18, 201016 yr comment_327016 From what I gather though, the Tenor chip is unreliable according to the maker of the chip themselves, something re-enforced by my Audiotrak Prodigy Cube (which uses one) dying on me soon after I bought it. Heh. Buggy chips are pretty commonplace, but it's rare to hear of silicon that just dies outright. Is this because of overheating, or something else entirely? Report
February 18, 201016 yr Author comment_327135 I do have a Prodigy Cube working fine since many months ago... bad luck Curra?? Report
February 19, 201016 yr comment_327265 Could be that too, but this supposedly came from Tenor themselves. I figured it was worth noting in case anyone intends to buy one. Report
April 8, 201016 yr comment_342600 just a note to say I am using the "Teralink-X" at present (reinterpreting usb into spdif/bnc to feed the buffalo), it is still settling in but currently is at around 80 hours playing time. In windows vista it has been and is buggy, sometimes it just doesn`t output a digital feed, don`t know why as the pc clearly shows it is recognised and being fed the audio :shrug: . In Linux (Opensuse 11.2, my main OS) it has shown no bugs and is fully plug and play Report
April 15, 201016 yr comment_344181 I've used the Teralink-X2 with good results. It definitely colours the sound though. Warm, smooth, large soundstage. Not as transparent as the M2Tech hiFace but more pleasing IMO. Report
April 15, 201016 yr comment_344215 I've used the Teralink-X2 with good results. It definitely colours the sound though. Warm, smooth, large soundstage. Not as transparent as the M2Tech hiFace but more pleasing IMO. I would not say that a USB-SPDIF converter that colors the sound is a "good result". Report
April 15, 201016 yr comment_344266 I would not say that a USB-SPDIF converter that colors the sound is a "good result". more like "malfunctioning product." Both valid points, but some will prefer its MO just like some prefer the coloration of certain tube amps over SS. Report
April 15, 201016 yr comment_344267 you won't find a lot of support for random "broken is better" products here... Report
April 22, 201016 yr comment_346523 Perhaps we could compile a list of the growing number of USB > SPDIF converters out there, from the CryoParts/Pop Pulse thing right up to the megabucks versions: seems to be the flavor of the month. Report
July 14, 201016 yr comment_371811 just a note to say I am using the "Teralink-X" at present (reinterpreting usb into spdif/bnc to feed the buffalo), it is still settling in but currently is at around 80 hours playing time. In windows vista it has been and is buggy, sometimes it just doesn`t output a digital feed, don`t know why as the pc clearly shows it is recognised and being fed the audio :shrug: . In Linux (Opensuse 11.2, my main OS) it has shown no bugs and is fully plug and play The Vista reliability problem got solved once I installed the C-media driver rather than the default vista one - it is no longer buggy. Sound quality is still less impressive than I get natively in linux but good enough for light gaming and background/burn-in music. Playing via Linux remains the way I listen to flac/streamed music Report
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