• Where are you Audio Note? - lokie 05:04:21 12/17/12 (4)
  In Reply to: RE: Off-Ramp5 USB to SPDIF anyone? posted by astrostar59 on December 15, 2012 at 15:24:31

  Whats the price for the 4 and the 5?
  
  FWIW... I would have a hard time buying anything in audio with the word "turbo" in it's name.
  
  What's up with Audio Note not providing a decent "in-house" solution to usb/spdif converter? The recommendation of the Hag and Music Fidelity is just lame. I used to give them the benefit of doubt due to the price/performance ratio of these recommendations but I bought a $30 Chinese converter that makes the Hag sound horrible. I wont even use the Hag in my office system anymore.
  
  Having said that, does it make sense to spend thousands of dollars on a usb/spdif converter? Not for me.
  
  Where are you Audio Note?
  

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  • RE: Where are you Audio Note? - astrostar59 05:50:41 12/17/12 (3)
    In Reply to: RE: Where are you Audio Note? posted by lokie on December 17, 2012 at 05:04:21

    Hi Lokie
    I know what you mean and do empathise. But reading the many AudioGon posts and magazine reviews, there doesn't seem to be any DAC models out there that really provide a full on high quality USB board inside the case. I can see why Brian at AN Kits has had challenges with providing the USB facility. His kits are unbeatable for quality of parts v price to buy and the resulting sound quality provided.
    
    There seems to be 2 camps. First camp - outboard DAC that has traditional style input and the classic SPDIF which seems to be the best solution bar none for quality (toslink patchy, Ip2 too new ect). Second camp is purpose built DACs with a dedicated (sometimes only) USB input.
    
    As I am from the Audio Note camp number 1, I believe I need an AN tubed DAC hat I can fiddle with / improve later with parts, and that still connects to a good CDP.
    
    The other challenge is USB convertors are only new on the scene, and the development is at a pace that Brian could not keep up with (R&D parts etc). Thus it is best in my view to have a great DAC as a complete box, and buy / sell/ upgrade the convertors as the technology becomes more widespread, which should bring the prices down.
    
    The Off-Ramp 5 is the current model and is 1300 US! It saw a price hike from 800 US for off-Ramp 4, which was close to 5 I have read. I am still hovering over the Off-Ramp. Steve who makes it does offer a 30 day trail, and it seems most who have taken advantage of that, DON"T send it back, so that speaks for itself.
    
    BTW I live in Almeria Spain. Hot and dry, like California.
    

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    • RE: Where are you Audio Note? - lokie 11:37:11 12/17/12 (2)
      In Reply to: RE: Where are you Audio Note? posted by astrostar59 on December 17, 2012 at 05:50:41

      "doesn't seem to be any DAC models out there that really provide a full on high quality USB board inside the case"
      
      First of all I don't care if it's in the case or not but buying a digital cable AND the converter AND the usb cable... well, you get the picture.
      
      And as far as DAC models that provide USB boards, here's a few:
      
      Esoteric
      Lampizator
      McIntosh,
      Playback Designs
      APL
      Cary
      Examplar
      DCS
      Wadia
      
      etc., etc..
      
      
      
      
      
      

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      • RE: Where are you Audio Note? - lokie 05:54:31 12/20/12 (0)
        In Reply to: RE: Where are you Audio Note? posted by lokie on December 17, 2012 at 11:37:11

        My beef is... if Lampizator, a one man company, can come up with a proper inboard usb/spdif converter then why can't AN?
        
        I suspect the reason is because of the arcane and resistive attitude Peter Qvortope has towards computer source audio. On the other hand, if there is a new chip and usb/spdif solution in the future then AN needs to tell us. Because if I go out and buy a proper converter (which I've been putting off for more than a year)and 2 months later, AN announces new products... I'm going to be pissed.
        

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      • RE: Where are you Audio Note? - astrostar59 12:45:14 12/17/12 (0)
        In Reply to: RE: Where are you Audio Note? posted by lokie on December 17, 2012 at 11:37:11

        Sorry, I don't see your beef?
        
        Those DACs cost 4k or more. And in reviews / forums the external USB convertor beat the pants of the internal units. It comes down to a manufacturer having to split the cost for multiple inputs.
        
        I myself LIKE the choice. I ONLY want SPDIF from my Mac Mini (USB) so I choose to spend on that. And am really happy with the AN DAC.
        
        BYW the usb is about 5 US and it doesn't change anything going crazy money on that. The digital cable, well you would need that anyway from a CDP to your DAC.
        
        

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• RE: Off-Ramp5 USB to SPDIF anyone? - brett 00:16:42 12/17/12 (2)
  In Reply to: RE: Off-Ramp5 USB to SPDIF anyone? posted by astrostar59 on December 15, 2012 at 15:24:31

  I recently replaced my Off Ramp 3 with the Off Ramp 5. It has hynes regulators and turbo clock. Asymmetrical USB fed by Foobar with Kernal Streaming plugin.
  
  The clarity and timing is stunning. Bass has much more extension and speed. Basically every part of the audio is improved and in some ways dramatically. Highly recommended.
  
  

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  • RE: Off-Ramp5 USB to SPDIF anyone? - astrostar59 03:02:47 12/17/12 (1)
    In Reply to: RE: Off-Ramp5 USB to SPDIF anyone? posted by brett on December 17, 2012 at 00:16:42

    Hi Brett
    
    That sounds good. That is quite an investment on a USB to SPDIF convertor!
    
    Did you try comparing the sound you are getting now, with a good CDP?
    
    I am hoping the sound is at least as good, as I really dig the ease of getting to all my tracks
    without the CD hassles.
    
    Thanks Brett
    

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    • RE: Off-Ramp5 USB to SPDIF anyone? - brett 18:04:00 12/18/12 (0)
      In Reply to: RE: Off-Ramp5 USB to SPDIF anyone? posted by astrostar59 on December 17, 2012 at 03:02:47

      I myself have not done any comparison to a quality cd based transport however there are many who have and their accounts can be found. Empirical Audio has taken their wares to some reputable audio shows and have garnered a lot of praise and attention. Some say it's performance exceeds even the best cd transports.
      
      It's interesting to think about the capacity of USB to provide bit perfect data. USB however lacks quality timing with regard to low jitter when it is expected to provide the master clock. That's the basic function of the Off Ramp. It receives bit perfect data via USB and provides a master clock with very low jitter. It utilizes very meticulously designed power supply regulation and clocking components in much the same way of well designed cd based transports.
      
      Through the Off Ramp I can play music ripped from CDs, DVDs, Blurays, and it all sounds great. Heck even You Tube is listenable for discovering new music. Low bit rate audio doesn't sound harsh at all, it merely lacks detail. I honestly have no interest in a CD based transport.
      

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