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In Reply to: RE: Outboard USB/SPDIF Conversion: Why Can It Yield Higher Sound Quality? posted by Mister Pig on April 14, 2019 at 08:10:47
The best I've been able to accomplish with Mac Mini to DAC via USB is with the addition of a 'USB Isolator'.
I'm using the Uptone IsoRegen powered by a LPS-1 UltraCap linear supply and connected to the USB input to my DAC via UpTone's $35 USPCB A>B Adapter.
My USB 'sins' have largely been resolved.
You seem reluctant to 'name' your '$6000 MSRP' DAC which gives one pause?
Another thing you COULD try, if your DAC has an optical TOSLINK input, is to hook up a TOSLINK cable to the headphone jack of your Mac Mini (most recent ones provide an optical output at the headphone jack) as see if that clears things up.
Isolation is a HUGE issue when streaming from a by-nature noisy computer. Moreover, all DACs are different and some perform better depending on which input one uses. With some DACs TOSLINK is an afterthought with a cheap receiver limited to 24/96 while Apple claims their headphone jack optical TOSLINK performs at 24/192.
YMMV
Follow Ups:
Yes isolation is huge IMO too. So is linear v switcher. Some DAC's have an isolation transformer on the SPFIF input.
My
ET
"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936
Yes isolation is huge IMO too. So is linear v switcher. Some DAC's have an isolation transformer on the SPFIF input.
ET
"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936
THE LANRover accomplishes an isolation function on the USB output, its what its designed for and it does appear to work well.
I am considering using a BNC or perhaps I2S digital cable from the Singxer, as I have not mentioned this but the DAC has drop out issues on the digital coax input.
So far the integration is a bit rocky. To be honest my digital collection is essentially redbook, and at this point I might just stick with my 10 year old DAC because its still king on this format.
The question really is why does outboard USB/SPDIF conversion work better in my case than the USB input on the DAC, as you would think at this price point that the direct input would be optimized for this arrangement. Yet it still looses.
Cheers
Mister Pig
the LANRover is not the perfect USB solution that Paul believes it to be. Isolation is great and it allows USB over long distances but at the expense of sound quality, or so some say.
If you are using iTunes for Redbook CD rips try installing BitPerfect iTunes plug-in as it's cheap and works well.
The Singxer is a great piece and I know many using it with great results.
It MAY be a better USB > I2S converter than is in your $6000 mystery DAC but it really shouldn't be THAT much better.
As far as 'drop outs on the digital COAX input', it's hard to know it this is the source or your DAC, unless tested using multiple sources S/PDIF digital sources.
It puzzles me that a $6000 DAC would have drop-out issues via coaxial SPDIF and doesn't sound all that great on USB.
I had a pricey $6000 DAC (later dropped to $5000 due supposedly to favorable exchange rates) that didn't sound all that great regardless of input so I sold it and have been perfectly happy with my $1200 DAC ;-)
That said, the Singxer U1 is a very well thought of USB > I2S converter.
Maybe better than many internal USB > I2S converters in commercial DACs.
If his DAC has a I2S input that is comparable with the I2S HDMI output on the SU1 the OP should try that.
Most find it's superior to any other input on their DACs.
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