I'm looking to simplify the audio chain and get rid of my Emu soundcard + citypulse 7.2 dac (available from the same HK dealer as the Zhaolu, but a definite step above it) in favor of a USB dac.
My first thought for diy dac would be peter daniels, but I don't believe he has a USB version of his NOS dac. Scott Nixon has some designs - any other alternatives?
I haven't heard them both - but supposedly the citypulse (my current dac) beat the paradisea in a shootout - so I'm looking for something on that level of performance without spending more than a couple hundred. Thanks!
My first thought for diy dac would be peter daniels, but I don't believe he has a USB version of his NOS dac. Scott Nixon has some designs - any other alternatives?
I haven't heard them both - but supposedly the citypulse (my current dac) beat the paradisea in a shootout - so I'm looking for something on that level of performance without spending more than a couple hundred. Thanks!
Hi Ang,
Have you considered the USB to SP/DIF converter from said HK dealer?
Another very good DAC is the NOS TDA1543 DAC from Doede Douma, checkout www.dddac.de.
I have heard it, I like it a lot. Tent clock and all.
Its also modular, so you can have your USB to I2S module and then DAC module
Have you considered the USB to SP/DIF converter from said HK dealer?
Another very good DAC is the NOS TDA1543 DAC from Doede Douma, checkout www.dddac.de.
I have heard it, I like it a lot. Tent clock and all.
Its also modular, so you can have your USB to I2S module and then DAC module
I recently made rather cheep but good sounding USB DAC, to see photo go here: http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=102741
Attention, it is designed for european voltage(230V), and in USA transformer is required.
Attention, it is designed for european voltage(230V), and in USA transformer is required.
IMOP: The FireWire connected DACs generally are superior to USB = bigger bandwidth, up to 24bit 192k (sometimes higher). If you intend to "keep up" with whats' available from the likes of EMI, Apple (both of 'em) and the (IMOP) dramatically better DVD-Audio disc speciality publishers, the IEEE1394 FireWire interface is the only way ...
If you insist on USB, check this out: http://industrialcomponent.com/maudio/us99130.html
If you want a decent FireWire DAC, check this out: http://industrialcomponent.com/firewirestuff/audiofire2.html
If you want real cheap USB, check this out:
If you insist on USB, check this out: http://industrialcomponent.com/maudio/us99130.html
If you want a decent FireWire DAC, check this out: http://industrialcomponent.com/firewirestuff/audiofire2.html
If you want real cheap USB, check this out:
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FastEddy said:
Is that Echo just a slimmed down version of the 4-2 you bought (on the recommendation of you buying it alone, i had pushed that one to the top of my list -- not directly available in Canada thou)
This one appeals because it still has the necessary functionaily (stereo in/out at up to 24/192) at half the price -- oops, looks like it only does 24/96 -- i assume that is why you went a model higher?)
My interest in a decent Firewire ADC/DAC has dramatically increased after fixing my Pismo yesterday and scooping up a fully decked out 800 MHz G4 iBook for next to nothing.
And more on the cheap one -- not something i am interested in, but might well be a good thing to be on the shelf at the puter shop.
dave
planet10: " ... Is that Echo just a slimmed down version of the 4-2 you bought (on the recommendation of you buying it alone, i had pushed that one to the top of my list -- not directly available in Canada thou) ..."
Yes, but at the time of my recommendations, the -2 was not readily available (short supply?). Now that I have tried both, I believe that for the purposes of professional grade interface ( DAC and ADC for studio work), I would stand by my recommendations for the -4 = four channel I/O being much more versital when recording masters for production = fewer "overdubbing" steps to a finished recording, etc. ... and I have sent a -4 to my niece for her "garage band" operation (and asking her to return the M-Audio FireWire "Audiophile" gadget I had previously sent.)
My own home system still has the Echo AudioFire-4 and I would not give it up without a struggle. My home setup: DVD player <<SPDIF coaxial I/O>> Echo AudioFire-4 << 24 bit analog I/O >> BottleHead ForePlay Tube Pre-Amp <<quality silver/teflon RCA cables>> DIY MOSFET stereo amp w/sub channel (3 x) << fine stranded silver/teflon #12 AWG >> planar Maggies and DIY sub woofer box. ... so far, just under two grand (US$) ... but I'm about to add a quality turntable and tube phono pre-amp = more $$$.
nicoch46: " ... the m-audio transit sound like a S*** ..."
"Truth is one, paths are many ..." - the Dalai Lama. ... I used the Transit for several months and found it quite satisfying.
http://industrialcomponent.com/firewirestuff/audiofire2.html ... http://industrialcomponent.com/firewirestuff/audiofire4.html ... http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Transit-main.html ... http://www.bottlehead.com/et/adobespc/foreplay3/foreplay3.htm ... http://www.magnepan.com/_mmg.php ... http://3dotaudio.com/ampics.html (sub channel not shown) ...
Yes, but at the time of my recommendations, the -2 was not readily available (short supply?). Now that I have tried both, I believe that for the purposes of professional grade interface ( DAC and ADC for studio work), I would stand by my recommendations for the -4 = four channel I/O being much more versital when recording masters for production = fewer "overdubbing" steps to a finished recording, etc. ... and I have sent a -4 to my niece for her "garage band" operation (and asking her to return the M-Audio FireWire "Audiophile" gadget I had previously sent.)
My own home system still has the Echo AudioFire-4 and I would not give it up without a struggle. My home setup: DVD player <<SPDIF coaxial I/O>> Echo AudioFire-4 << 24 bit analog I/O >> BottleHead ForePlay Tube Pre-Amp <<quality silver/teflon RCA cables>> DIY MOSFET stereo amp w/sub channel (3 x) << fine stranded silver/teflon #12 AWG >> planar Maggies and DIY sub woofer box. ... so far, just under two grand (US$) ... but I'm about to add a quality turntable and tube phono pre-amp = more $$$.
nicoch46: " ... the m-audio transit sound like a S*** ..."
"Truth is one, paths are many ..." - the Dalai Lama. ... I used the Transit for several months and found it quite satisfying.
http://industrialcomponent.com/firewirestuff/audiofire2.html ... http://industrialcomponent.com/firewirestuff/audiofire4.html ... http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Transit-main.html ... http://www.bottlehead.com/et/adobespc/foreplay3/foreplay3.htm ... http://www.magnepan.com/_mmg.php ... http://3dotaudio.com/ampics.html (sub channel not shown) ...
I have the transit ! is decent rispect the integrate skaudio, no game rispect onkyo se90pci or usb1543.
the asio driver have some problem....you use the pc power ,the dddac have good separate power ,tent clock.....simple passive out ..... half price ....the akm dac is good but out stage is cheap..
we are diy!
the asio driver have some problem....you use the pc power ,the dddac have good separate power ,tent clock.....simple passive out ..... half price ....the akm dac is good but out stage is cheap..
we are diy!
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