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RE: Upgrading a Dac 2.1 to 3.1

Posted by blueixus (A) on January 20, 2011 at 01:09:44

In Reply to: Upgrading a Dac 2.1 to 3.1 posted by davidspeed@shaw.ca on January 19, 2011 at 17:43:20:

I am still a 2.1 user, so I can't comment on the steps required. I have however spent an inordinate time on the USB to SPIDF topic as I only use a Computer as my music source.

In the last 18 months or so a host of USB to SPIDF converters have arrived on the market, such as the M2Tech Hiface & Evo, Wavelength Wavelink, Empirical Audio Off Ramp, SonicWeld Diverter, Audiophileo, Halide Bridge. These are all external and will handle sample rates up to and beyond the Audionote's 96kHz capability.

They vary in price from $150 to about $2000. All use Async technology which is a big step forward over the Hagtech converter spec'ed by Audionote even at the basic 44.1kHz 16 Bit CD rate.

I am currently using a M2Tech Hiface which is the cheapest of the list above with a BNC connection, which I find excellent.

The second issue if you are going down this route to consider is playback software. IMO jolly old itunes is not the best thing out there for serious listening. For Mac users there are choices Amarra, Pure Music, Ayrewave and Audirvana. The first two work alongside itunes, again prices vary from $0 to $600. These offer 'improved SQ' and also handle files with differing sample rates with greater ease than itunes. All offer free trial downloads.

Regards

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