USB to I2S: M2Tech vs XMOS vs Open-source Qnktc

[audiodesign]

It is very important to use short usb cable with the XMOS, I suggest 1.5m

M2Tech module and EMU 0404 USB support also 7 meters.

[wlowes]

Audiodesign
Great to hear you have some clear results. While I am not surprised about WaveIO doing very well, I am most interested in hearing the listening impressions and those of the other members at your shoot out.

[Nikola Krivorov]

Originally Posted by analog_sa

I'll volunteer a guess for the winner: Exa, but heavily modded

Actually not, from what I have heard... But then RayCtech has a much better hearing than normal and that makes things unpredictable for the rest of us addicted to audio, I just trust what he says.

[Koenjer]

Is the WaveIO Xmos allready for sale?
I can´t find a reseller

[wlowes]

Originally Posted by Koenjer

Is the WaveIO Xmos allready for sale?
I can´t find a reseller

It is here on this forum

XMOS-based Asynchronous USB to I2S interface

[CheerfulYC]

I am just very curious on how WaveIO sounds compare to ExaDevices?!!

[Wolfsin]

I agree that it will be interesting to review some comparisons. Please let us know the OS and some details (cpu speed, etc.). I am especially interested in any instability you might encounter because using thesycon under XP the only issue I have encountered involved another peripheral causing extended DPC latency, hardly the fault of WaveIO and easily resolved using thesycon utility.

[audiodesign]

Wolfsin,
are you using a short USB cable and an external +5V power supply ?

[wlowes]

Do you have some listening impressions of these 3 dacs?

[Wolfsin]

Originally Posted by audiodesign

Wolfsin,
are you using a short USB cable and an external +5V power supply ?

So far I have not needed to shorten the cable or go to external power. I simply determine which drivers (usually associated with touch pad) cause the really long DPC latencies. I will do more later but my experience to date has been nothing but positive and even without any concern for latencies the worst effect has been one or two very short buffer underflows at 96k.

I am preparing a dedicated Intel D510MO audio client but it is not yet ready. I am completely confident in WaveIO conversion to i2s so that my music collection on NAS can be enjoyed using a portable computer as a 'super remote' with Remote Desktop.

I continue to recommend WaveIO without hesitation.