Any Balanced S/PDIF DACs that are similar to TOPPING D10B, but S/PDIF instead of USB input?

[rcstevensonaz]

For me, the TOPPING D10 Balanced (D10B) is the perfect DAC for connecting my computers — USB input (only), Balanced output + S/PDIF output, frequency display, and nothing else!!! And as Amir noted in their review of the D10B, it "comes in my favorite USB DAC package".

Now I am looking for something similar to use with audio sources — S/PDIF input (only), Balanced Output, [+S/PDIF output (optional)], frequency display, and ideally nothing else. Preferably no wider than 4.25". I can find DACs that have both USB + S/PDIF inputs... but is there a Balanced DAC that only takes S/PDIF input?

P.S., @TOPPING: Can you offer a Balanced DAC variant of the D10B, but with S/PDIF input instead of USB. A primary use case is for connecting consumer audio devices to an audio interface via balanced analog inputs, because those devices (e.g., CD Player, WaxWing, WiiM, etc.) cannot be connected digitally since their clock cannot be slaved to the audio interface (and very few audio interfaces support sample rate conversion).

 

[unpluggged]

Khadas Tone2?

 

[Rja4000]

S/PDIF input (only), Balanced Output

Look at the basic (non-"DAC" version) RME ADI-2 fs

ADI-2 FS - RME Audio Interfaces | Format Converters | Preamps | Network Audio & MADI Solutions

RME Audio Professional Live, Studio, Recording and Broadcast Solutions. Unrivalled Quality, Performance & Stability MADI Interfaces, Converters & Preamps.

rme-audio.de

It's wider than you hope, but it does exactly that.

 

[rcstevensonaz]

Khadas Tone2?

Very interesting device in a small package! Cost on the website is USD $130 (Tone 2) + $50 for a cable to convert their special Balanced RCA plug to XLR. An extra $30 for the Tone 2 Pro will add an S/PDIF coax output.

I would prefer it did not have a volume control on it, but at least it is recessed away from the front face. Looking at the manual, it does not seem to have a "DAC Mode" option that disables the volume. And strangely, it will only provide visual indication of the sample rate when using USB input.

 

[rcstevensonaz]

Look at the basic (non-"DAC" version) RME ADI-2 fs

ADI-2 FS - RME Audio Interfaces | Format Converters | Preamps | Network Audio & MADI Solutions

RME Audio Professional Live, Studio, Recording and Broadcast Solutions. Unrivalled Quality, Performance & Stability MADI Interfaces, Converters & Preamps.

rme-audio.de

It's wider than you hope, but it does exactly that.

I can live with the width since it would fit perfectly on top of my RME ADI-2 Pro!

But does the ADI-2 FS support automatic sample rate conversation (ASRC) for consumer S/PDIF devices? EDIT: in the context of this use case, I think that is irrelevant since it will lock onto the clock from the input device and convert that to digital.

Apart from that, the cost is USD $949 — which is fantastic for what this device does — but, I'm really looking for a "rock dumb" Balanced S/PDIF DAC at the other end of the pricing spectrum... ideally as dumb (and affordable) as the D10B.

 

[mdsimon2]

.S., @TOPPING: Can you offer a Balanced DAC variant of the D10B, but with S/PDIF input instead of USB. A primary use case is for connecting consumer audio devices to an audio interface via balanced analog inputs, because those devices (e.g., CD Player, WaxWing, WiiM, etc.) cannot be connected digitally since their clock cannot be slaved to the audio interface (and very few audio interfaces support sample rate conversion

What audio interface are you using that cannot be clocked via SPDIF? Seems like it would be easier to just get an audio interface that accepts SPDIF.

Michael

 

[rcstevensonaz]

What audio interface are you using that cannot be clocked via SPDIF? Seems like it would be easier to just get an audio interface that accepts SPDIF.

Michael

Many audio interface can be clocked off of a consumer audio S/PDIF device. But then when you want to add a second — or third, and forth — consumer audio S/PDIF device to the mix, it doesn't work anymore since the clock on the additional devices are not synchronized (assuming they are even at the same sample rate). If it wasn't for the clocking and sample rate issue, the RME Digiface USB would be absolutely perfect... but alas, there isn't a Digiface USB ASRC version.

So my thought was to see if there was a very affordable DAC to convert S/PDIF to Balanced Audio. Similar to the D10B I use to convert USB to Balanced Audio. I would then do all of the level-setting and mixing in the analog domain.

 

[Rja4000]

the cost is USD $949

Ow, that's unexpected.
In Europe, it's roughly 60% of the RME ADI-2 DAC fs price, so much cheaper.

 

[rcstevensonaz]

Ow, that's unexpected.
In Europe, it's roughly 60% of the RME ADI-2 DAC fs price, so much cheaper.

I could order from UK at £599.00, but that is over USD $800 after exchange rate. And as tempting as an ADI-2 FS would be, it is overkill for my use case. Even at USD $599, it would still be overkill