USB inputs for digital amps?

[andyjevans]

I presently have a Bantam digital amp with USB input:

Temple Audio Bantam. High Quality Class T-Amp.

It's nice and sounds good, but I'm wondering what's the next step up from this? What kits or modules are available with a similar kind of USB input so I don't have to use a DAC to go through the analog domain? Maybe Hypex, or others?

I keep all my music on a Mac Mini in iTunes, so would like to keep it simple unless there are better ways to get really good digital sound.

All help here appreciated - feel like upgrading for 2012.

Andy

 

[hoka]

Here is my take on this :
Get yourself a multichannel external soundcard (griffin firewave, Focusrite saffire for firewire or any of the available usb options)
Get "PureMusic" ( CHANNEL D - Pure Music ) This has a built-in crossover of extraordinary quality.
Get a bunch of amps, class-D or otherwise and start experimenting with your active multichannel system!

 

[mr_push_pull]

since you've mentioned Hypex, Bruno has made a point many a times that there's no such thing as a digital amp. eventually you have do do some analog and that defeats the purpose. you need to get the "digital is inherently better" catchphrase out of your head 😉

 

[andyjevans]

I do also have an Edirol Firewire FA-101 but I'd assumed I would lose quality using that for audio? I don't know if it does multi-channel. I don't need surround sound, and at present use a full-range speaker unit with no crossover, but might be interested in a 2-way speaker option with a ribbon speaker and a mid-bass.

I don't know if I have this wrong, but I'd assumed that my Bantam USB amp took the digital signal direct from my Mac into the amp input, i.e. no DAC?

andy

 

[hoka]

The Dac's built into your Edirol are probably of better quality then the one that is build into your bantam amp. you do understand that there is a dac in that amp?

There are many other upgrade possibilities other then multi-channel, for instance you could use lossless compression instead of mp3.

 

[andyjevans]

Hi - no I didn't understand that the USB input converted to analog and then back to digital. I build with tubes, and digital is a bit outside my knowledge base.

I'm looking for an audiophile solution that compares with the tube amps I build, so yes, I do store everything in WAV in itunes.

This is all really useful information for me - on a bit of a digital learning curve!

andy

 

[hoka]

Your off on a running start then, Hook up your tube amps to the Edirol and listen to that for a while!

And try out "puremusic" it's worth it even if you don't use the crossover!