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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2009 0:10:21 GMT
Any thoughts/knowledge on this nifty idea? |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2009 0:34:23 GMT
Chris
Nice card, and a few good ideas. However, I prefer to feed my audio via SPDIF into my X-DAC V3, rather than use the inferior Analogue OUT from a soundcard. The standard Asus Xonar uses a 1796 DAC instead of the very slightly better 1792 as in this one, and in my X-DAC V3. They are swappable though.
I currently use an Asus Xonar D2X PCI-E card in this fashion.
Although Analogue OUT from this card is better than average, it is way below what I can get via the SPDIF and X-DAC V3 route.
The standard Asus Xonar card is relatively expensive, so I imagine that this version would attract a premium price ?
Alex
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2009 12:50:42 GMT
I had a proper wizz around the net for more info. This Trade review and Buyer reviews seem to be typical. At under £150 this could be a very viable, cheaper sneak-peak into quality 'phones listening, especially being fully on board, saving space for those to whom it matters. I'd love to try it but our computers are laptops, our only desktop is far too old to support the card   |
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Post by dmsims on Sept 29, 2009 13:59:58 GMT
This card is £125 delivered
I don't understand the comments about line out since it has an SPDIF interface (coax or Toslink)
The drivers are pretty rubbish though (which is why I sent mine back)
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2009 1:46:35 GMT
Have you checked the Hifiman EF2? It is an usb dac w/ tube based heaphone amp. I have one and I really like it, at $189 USD it rocks! Did I mention it has tubes on the amp section.  Miguel Normal USB DACs leave a lot to be desired without the special software of the upmarket models that need USB 2.0. and get around the higher jitter problem inherent to USB 1.0 DACs. To make matters worse, you add a glass bottle that has elements that vibrate in time to the music !  You could have at least recommended something like the Benchmark USB DAC that from my experience sounds virtually identical to SPDIF mode when using USB. I am told that it also markedly improves with opamp upgrades. Alex P.S. Valves suck ! Just carefully break that little spigot and see for yourself ! ;D |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2009 3:32:33 GMT
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Post by dmsims on Sept 30, 2009 12:58:44 GMT
On the STX if you match the sample rate to the music it IS bit perfect.
The PITA is that it isn't automatic - hence my buying the Musiland USD01 which resolves that issue and actually does a better job.
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Post by PinkFloyd on Oct 1, 2009 0:32:58 GMT
Have you checked the Hifiman EF2? It is an usb dac w/ tube based heaphone amp. I have one and I really like it, at $189 USD it rocks! Did I mention it has tubes on the amp section. Miguel Normal USB DACs leave a lot to be desired without the special software of the upmarket models that need USB 2.0. and get around the higher jitter problem inherent to USB 1.0 DACs. To make matters worse, you add a glass bottle that has elements that vibrate in time to the music ! You could have at least recommended something like the Benchmark USB DAC that from my experience sounds virtually identical to SPDIF mode when using USB. I am told that it also markedly improves with opamp upgrades. Alex P.S. Valves suck ! Just carefully break that little spigot and see for yourself ! ;D Stop generalising you silly man and start listening |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2009 1:05:57 GMT
Alex, I have listened to the Benchmark and it is an acceptable DAC, although I prefer the Oritek V4.1 or the Monarchy NM24. The EF2 uses usb2 and I stand by my previous comment, it sounds bloody good. Miguel As I have said earlier, another RG member, and a DIYAudio member compared a new Benchmark USB DAC with my X-DAC V3, and although it was quite good, the listening session via both PC and speakers resulted in it having it's opamps upgraded the very next day to SM LM4562. You are listening to Apple "lossless" files, which do not reveal the true potential of any DAC or HA. Are you also using the very expensive Amarra software? SEE ALSO THE WARNING AT: rockgrotto.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=talk&thread=4569&page=1 Sorry, but " lossless" files with a typical PC or MAC, are NOT lossless. They have deteriorated in comparison with the original .wav file. If you ever go to a fanless MAC using a high quality SSD, then you MAY be able to listen to newly converted lossless files that sound identical to the original .wav files. Alex |
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FauDrei
Been here a while! 
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Post by FauDrei on Oct 1, 2009 19:17:20 GMT
Sorry, but " lossless" files with a typical PC or MAC, are NOT lossless. They have deteriorated in comparison with the original .wav file. If you ever go to a fanless MAC using a high quality SSD, then you MAY be able to listen to newly converted lossless files that sound identical to the original .wav files. Uf! Uf! Uf! Many points which I consider outright paranoid and just false to begin with (me being some kind of expert in computer science)... But, instead of starting a clash with Alex (cheers mate  ), I would offer a elegant solution that does not require dedicated fanless machine with SSD storage: Get an asynchronous hi-speed USB to SPDIF/I2S converter of the latest generation. Or a DAC with such USB input (that option being less flexible). The computer decodes lossless format and sends the data to our converter WHEN and HOW converter requires it. Converter via appropriate (and properly written) driver controls the data flow to itself, buffers it (if necessary) and converts it with no data steam "hiccups" and with minimal jitter. ...and you can fill your spreadsheets, write your e-mails, surf the net, argue on RockGrotto... all this while in the same time enjoying bitperfect music from your lossless files on your 4 year old ThinkPad.  Interested? Try this... |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2009 20:30:37 GMT
FauDrei
This time you are very wrong, as quite a few of our members can now testify.This subject has also been aired in Computer Audiophile Forum, where they have demonstrated at a recent major symposium involving the Industry experts, including DAC manufacturers etc., where there was almost universal agreement that playback from a SSD sounds better than from a HDD, despite identical checksums.
I will send you an email with some findings that may surprise you.
Alex
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2009 23:23:40 GMT
You are wrong! Yes Wrong! the best sound is obained via am radio in mono. Miguel If you were comparing AM radio to DAB , then you may very well be correct ! The best station in Sydney for DAB (2CH) is using 96kilobits /second !!for stereo !  Some go as low as 30kilobits/second. Alex P.S. In my earlier days with Telstra, we used to feed program lines through our patchboard at Chatswood Telephone Exchange ( Sydney) for the national broadcaster. Although it was only mono , it was equalised to 15kHz minimum and the music was derived from vinyl. There was absolutely no compression, and it sounded fabulous through over patchboard's monitoring system. Vested interests sure have stuffed things up over the years, especially when we have the technology to make music sound so much better than back then. |
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You could have at least recommended something like the Benchmark USB DAC that from my experience sounds virtually identical to SPDIF mode when using USB. I am told that it also markedly improves with opamp upgrades.
), I would offer a elegant solution that does not require dedicated fanless machine with SSD storage:
Some go as low as 30kilobits/second.