USB DAC vs. USB Interface --) DAC

Computer Audio Asylum

Music servers and other computer based digital audio technologies.

Hi all. I recently got myself an Edirol UA-1EX USB interface, which finally allows me to use ASIO. I must say it made a huge difference: a big step up from DirectSound our of foobar.
One thing I wanted to check though - if I have a budget of around $200-$300, which of these two would usually be better:
- keeping the Edirol as a USB interface, and using its optical out to an external DAC of around the above mentioned value; or
- getting an external DAC which has USB input and utilizes ASIO
For example, for the first option I would look at one of the many external DACs in the $200-$300 range (Diyeden, Pacific Valve, Scott Nixon, Musical Fidelity) etc. - one which has optical digital in. For the second option it would be a USB DAC, something like Scott-Nixon, Stereo-Link, Firestone Audio, Empirical Audio etc.
Cheers,
X

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Topic - USB DAC vs. USB Interface --) DAC - Xenithon 05:00:12 10/22/06 (4)

Re: USB DAC vs. USB Interface --) DAC - kls 09:45:07 10/28/06 (0)

Re: USB DAC vs. USB Interface --) DAC - Xenithon 23:08:23 10/26/06 (0)

Re: USB DAC vs. USB Interface --) DAC - Crimson 05:57:46 10/22/06 (1)

Re: USB DAC vs. USB Interface --) DAC - Xenithon 06:19:05 10/22/06 (0)

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