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RE: Upgrading a Dac 2.1 to 3.1

Posted by blueixus (A) on January 24, 2011 at 10:05:40

In Reply to: RE: Upgrading a Dac 2.1 to 3.1 posted by Tubeheadz on January 24, 2011 at 03:55:12:

Actually I was following up on Astrosonics note, but that does not matter.

You are right there are many many variables. I've been down this track for the past two years seriously.

I don't have a 'baby' in this area, as I have not found something to call my 'baby' yet.

I have moved from PC to Mac, and tried the Logitech products along the way. With PC I found one application that was quite excellent - XXHE - but also found it too difficult to use as a daily item. More a criticism of me than the software.

With Mac there are a range of software solutions than seem easier and more akin to itunes which brings both benefits and downsides. I am in a Mac place now and the results are steadily improving.

All of this has been from a dedicated computer, non wifi system. I do and will always struggle with OS as I simply do not have enough knowledge in that area.

I have a view that the computer approaches may not be right. Computers are not built for audio alone and therefore will always be compromised in context of the standards HiFi should be built to.

I spend a lot of time of the computeraudiophile forum where people spend a lot of time trying to minimise the activity of their computers on the process, often Macs.

So logically The TCP/IP to SPIDF conversion outside of the PC in a dedicated 'audio enviroment' seems better but I found the operation of these is not great and I don't want a network as it is more complexity.

Ideally I would like to use vanilla itunes like player to select the tracks (rather than PM or Amarra) and have the computer pass the entire file/s (of what ever resolution - upto 96kHz for Audio Note)) via USB (your point about firewire is valid but it seems to be on a longterm losing to streak to USB 2.0) to a dedicated external converter to SPIDF or I2S. That way all the conversion from WAV or AIFF to SPIDF/I2S can be handled outside the computer with decent clocks and PSUs.

There are also few interesting SD card players floating around that output in SPIDF/I2S that look interesting - I am going to take the plunge and try one soon as they are dedicated standalone players - I don't think they are the future but they may provide some of the DNA!

Anyway coming back to the interface with the AN K Dacs it seems SPIDF or possibly I2S will be the route in.

Excuse this stream of thought but it is a very interesting area I just wish I had more skills that were pertinent to it!

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The Cable Cooker

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