MiniDSP releases $55 ADC 'Pocket ADC'

[educavaedu]

This has quality in the conversion just like a ultra expensive audio interface?

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

This has quality in the conversion just like an ultra expensive audio interface?

That’s what we’re waiting to find out.

 

[morillon]

PocketADC

The miniDSP Pocket ADC is an extremely compact high-resolution A/D (analog-to-digital) convertor that accepts a stereo analog input on single-ended (RCA) connectors and converts it to SPDIF coaxial and TOSLINK optical digital outputs. This pocket size converter supports high sample rate and...

www.minidsp.com

These first measures are already significant...in line asym 2v...
waiting for more on the mini (even if in fact the essential is there) but especially the adept... much more complicated to measure...
(but a particularity..a trigger at -68db)

 

[Roland68]

This has quality in the conversion just like a ultra expensive audio interface?

What's an ultra-expensive audio interface for you?
You could go for the E1DA Cosmos ADC; it's probably hard to beat.

 

[morillon]

input impedance and level normalized here asym sym... for adept and minidsp.. (and phono for adept)
easy for many use ;-)
(If here in balanced or unbalanced and not 48v microphone... seems in "the same vein" for adept as the RME at first glance... )

 

[Vortex]

Topping creates great products as always, but sadly it does not have a line in -> SPDIF coax out adapter

I really miss a "Topping-fashioned" extremely well performing, well priced simple ADC from Topping.
A single set of digi outs (Toslink, Coax, USB) would be enough in a tiny little box like the E30 series and sell it at a reasonable price - job done forever.

Still can't imagine why they haven't tried it yet.

When we all look at the list of existing ADC-s and measurements, uh. (So few)

Even with LP-s, RIAA is not an issue. Either one buys a dedicated MC/MM preamp with line-outs or it's built in already into many models (some even have USB out but with questionable ADC performance but working, quite ok to the ear but not perfect probably).

So, Topping, if you're reading this, would you please... ??
(I like the quality of the AKM ADC from Hypex FA series, maybe use those ?)

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

I really miss a "Topping-fashioned" extremely well performing, well priced simple ADC from Topping.
A single set of digi outs (Toslink, Coax, USB) would be enough in a tiny little box like the E30 series and sell it at a reasonable price - job done forever.

Still can't imagine why they haven't tried it yet.

When we all look at the list of existing ADC-s and measurements, uh. (So few)

Even with LP-s, RIAA is not an issue. Either one buys a dedicated MC/MM preamp with line-outs or it's built in already into many models (some even have USB out but with questionable ADC performance but working, quite ok to the ear but not perfect probably).

So, Topping, if you're reading this, would you please... ??
(I like the quality of the AKM ADC from Hypex FA series, maybe use those ?)

It is a bit of a surprise. I mean how many products does Amir measure, which are digital but with abilities ins, but those inputs measure poorly.

A good measuring ADC solves the problem.

 

[Roland68]

I really miss a "Topping-fashioned" extremely well performing, well priced simple ADC from Topping.
A single set of digi outs (Toslink, Coax, USB) would be enough in a tiny little box like the E30 series and sell it at a reasonable price - job done forever.

Still can't imagine why they haven't tried it yet.

When we all look at the list of existing ADC-s and measurements, uh. (So few)

Even with LP-s, RIAA is not an issue. Either one buys a dedicated MC/MM preamp with line-outs or it's built in already into many models (some even have USB out but with questionable ADC performance but working, quite ok to the ear but not perfect probably).

So, Topping, if you're reading this, would you please... ??
(I like the quality of the AKM ADC from Hypex FA series, maybe use those ?)

But why do we need more ADCs?
The MiniDSP PocketADC is very good and inexpensive, and the Cosmos ADC can compete with measurement technology in the five-figure range.
There are also countless audio interfaces with ADCs, such as the Topping E2x2 with ADC, DIY boards, etc.

The question is whether this is even worthwhile for Topping. It's a niche market, and unit sales are unlikely to be very high. The market for 8-channel DACs for active systems is likely much larger, and even there, Topping has discontinued the DM7 due to lack of demand.

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

But why do we need more ADCs?
The MiniDSP PocketADC is very good and inexpensive, and the Cosmos ADC can compete with measurement technology in the five-figure range.
There are also countless audio interfaces with ADCs, such as the Topping E2x2 with ADC, DIY boards, etc.

The question is whether this is even worthwhile for Topping. It's a niche market, and unit sales are unlikely to be very high. The market for 8-channel DACs for active systems is likely much larger, and even there, Topping has discontinued the DM7 due to lack of demand.

Firstly, the MiniDSP pocket ADC hasn't been measured and reviewed yet.

Secondly, the Cosmos is not plug and play. You need to run it through a computer interface. Many of us don't want that, we want stereo analogue RCA (and maybe balanced) ins, and digital (coax and/or optical, with maybe USB) outs. And that's all.

Thirdly, those countless audio interfaces you mention are not plug and pay (see above).

Finally, I've lost count of the number of times I've read here that something will never happen because "it's a niche market", only for it to come along and everyone loves it. DACs with PEQ spring to mind.

Bottom line, pretty much every digital device with an analogue input (digital pre amps, etc.) are plug and play. You plug your analogue device into them, and they just work, with no further input from the user. All users want is for this ADC section to be...well, good. And on some devices it's better than others. But there are plenty of devices out there with poor ADC stages, but which are otherwise excellent in the digital realm. A great ADC which sits between your source's analogue outs, and your digital device's digital in, would transform such a device.

I have a WiiM Ultra. It's pretty much perfect (transparent to the source) in every aspect, apart from the analogue input, and there are many other digital pre amps in the same boat. Such a device would, in its own way, be 'end game' in this scenario. If I can spend £50-£100 and get my analogue source converted to digital in a (more or less) transparent way, what's not to like. And yes, I suspect there are lots of us in the same boat.

But like many others, I'm not buying one of these until and unless I know it measures well. There really is no point buying one if the performance is no better than what I already have.

 

[morillon]

PocketADC

The miniDSP Pocket ADC is an extremely compact high-resolution A/D (analog-to-digital) convertor that accepts a stereo analog input on single-ended (RCA) connectors and converts it to SPDIF coaxial and TOSLINK optical digital outputs. This pocket size converter supports high sample rate and...

www.minidsp.com

some relevant measurements which seem to have been done seriously and without complacency (I was able to take some measurements which match them)

The measurements seem very very good, but you should know that there is a trigger at -68dB.

 

[Sokel]

Firstly, the MiniDSP pocket ADC hasn't been measured and reviewed yet.

Secondly, the Cosmos is not plug and play. You need to run it through a computer interface. Many of us don't want that, we want stereo analogue RCA (and maybe balanced) ins, and digital (coax and/or optical, with maybe USB) outs. And that's all.

Thirdly, those countless audio interfaces you mention are not plug and pay (see above).

Finally, I've lost count of the number of times I've read here that something will never happen because "it's a niche market", only for it to come along and everyone loves it. DACs with PEQ spring to mind.

Bottom line, pretty much every digital device with an analogue input (digital pre amps, etc.) are plug and play. You plug your analogue device into them, and they just work, with no further input from the user. All users want is for this ADC section to be...well, good. And on some devices it's better than others. But there are plenty of devices out there with poor ADC stages, but which are otherwise excellent in the digital realm. A great ADC which sits between your source's analogue outs, and your digital device's digital in, would transform such a device.

I have a WiiM Ultra. It's pretty much perfect (transparent to the source) in every aspect, apart from the analogue input, and there are many other digital pre amps in the same boat. Such a device would, in its own way, be 'end game' in this scenario. If I can spend £50-£100 and get my analogue source converted to digital in a (more or less) transparent way, what's not to like. And yes, I suspect there are lots of us in the same boat.

But like many others, I'm not buying one of these until and unless I know it measures well. There really is no point buying one if the performance is no better than what I already have.

We are talking solely RIAA or analog inputs of Wiim in general?
Cause in the second case I doubt pocket wiil bring any audible benefit against the near 90dB SINAD of Wiim.

It may well add its own problems as an extra link.

If audibility is the case, even if pocket measures 15-20dB better will only be for the engineering side of things which is absolutely acceptable at this case.
Also, digital RIIA (any) has to be VERY well implemented, or else can have its own problems (headroom, etc)

 

[Roland68]

Firstly, the MiniDSP pocket ADC hasn't been measured and reviewed yet.

Secondly, the Cosmos is not plug and play. You need to run it through a computer interface. Many of us don't want that, we want stereo analogue RCA (and maybe balanced) ins, and digital (coax and/or optical, with maybe USB) outs. And that's all.

Thirdly, those countless audio interfaces you mention are not plug and pay (see above).

Finally, I've lost count of the number of times I've read here that something will never happen because "it's a niche market", only for it to come along and everyone loves it. DACs with PEQ spring to mind.

Bottom line, pretty much every digital device with an analogue input (digital pre amps, etc.) are plug and play. You plug your analogue device into them, and they just work, with no further input from the user. All users want is for this ADC section to be...well, good. And on some devices it's better than others. But there are plenty of devices out there with poor ADC stages, but which are otherwise excellent in the digital realm. A great ADC which sits between your source's analogue outs, and your digital device's digital in, would transform such a device.

I have a WiiM Ultra. It's pretty much perfect (transparent to the source) in every aspect, apart from the analogue input, and there are many other digital pre amps in the same boat. Such a device would, in its own way, be 'end game' in this scenario. If I can spend £50-£100 and get my analogue source converted to digital in a (more or less) transparent way, what's not to like. And yes, I suspect there are lots of us in the same boat.

But like many others, I'm not buying one of these until and unless I know it measures well. There really is no point buying one if the performance is no better than what I already have.

Just look at the performance of the MiniDSP PocketADC measured with AP. What's missing?
Both the RME ADI 2/4 and the Cosmos ADC are only slightly better, but is it audible?
A Topping ADC would have to deliver better measured values than the PocketADC, and that would be quite ambitious, and the price would certainly be higher.

By the way, you can easily output SPDIF/Toslink from the Cosmos ADC (I mean I2S too, and everything else as well). However, demand at the manufacturer was so low that they haven't even considered releasing a device with it.
So much for demand. This thread and other threads on the topic of ADCs reflect this.

As @Sokel wrote, RIAA isn't such a trivial topic for an ADC. A specialized device like the MINIDSP ADEPT makes more sense and should leave little to be desired. The ADI 2/4 should, of course, also be mentioned here.

And in fact, many audio interfaces can be operated autonomously, or you can simply make a basic configuration on your computer.

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

We are talking solely RIAA or analog inputs of Wiim in general?
Cause in the second case I doubt pocket wiil bring any audible benefit against the near 90dB SINAD of WiiM.

Just analogue.

And yes, I take your point, but I’m happy to pay £50 or so for the extra ‘peace of mind’, which frankly I think is what most of us get out of all this.

The difference in sound between a cheap transparent DAC and your laptop’s own analogue out will almost certainly not be earth-shattering, but with transparent DACs being so cheap, it seems daft not to accept the extra, small expense.

 

[Paffi]

Just analogue.

And yes, I take your point, but I’m happy to pay £50 or so for the extra ‘peace of mind’, which frankly I think is what most of us get out of all this.

The difference in sound between a cheap transparent DAC and your laptop’s own analogue out will almost certainly not be earth-shattering, but with transparent DACs being so cheap, it seems daft not to accept the extra, small expense.

It´s also nice for longer cable connections - convert the signal to digital and pass it to the WIIM. I´m considering that for my turntable, which is a few meters from the WIIM away.

 

[morillon]

the measurements of the adept seem very close to the rme....with of course the interest of the fairly complete dedicated phono, also and above all, and in line, classic input impedances in balanced but also unbalanced... (the case of the cosmos being particular)....
ESS ES9842 Pro for adept
ESS ES9821Q pocket

(I just discovered the review of the adpet which was awaited for so long ... I hadn't seen it ;-) )

 

[Vortex]

Firstly, the MiniDSP pocket ADC hasn't been measured and reviewed yet.

Secondly, the Cosmos is not plug and play. You need to run it through a computer interface. Many of us don't want that, we want stereo analogue RCA (and maybe balanced) ins, and digital (coax and/or optical, with maybe USB) outs. And that's all.

Thirdly, those countless audio interfaces you mention are not plug and pay (see above).

Finally, I've lost count of the number of times I've read here that something will never happen because "it's a niche market", only for it to come along and everyone loves it. DACs with PEQ spring to mind.

Bottom line, pretty much every digital device with an analogue input (digital pre amps, etc.) are plug and play. You plug your analogue device into them, and they just work, with no further input from the user. All users want is for this ADC section to be...well, good. And on some devices it's better than others. But there are plenty of devices out there with poor ADC stages, but which are otherwise excellent in the digital realm. A great ADC which sits between your source's analogue outs, and your digital device's digital in, would transform such a device.

I have a WiiM Ultra. It's pretty much perfect (transparent to the source) in every aspect, apart from the analogue input, and there are many other digital pre amps in the same boat. Such a device would, in its own way, be 'end game' in this scenario. If I can spend £50-£100 and get my analogue source converted to digital in a (more or less) transparent way, what's not to like. And yes, I suspect there are lots of us in the same boat.

But like many others, I'm not buying one of these until and unless I know it measures well. There really is no point buying one if the performance is no better than what I already have.

Just havin a look at this thread now, .. thanks, exactly.

 

[Vortex]

It´s also nice for longer cable connections - convert the signal to digital and pass it to the WIIM. I´m considering that for my turntable, which is a few meters from the WIIM away.

That's what one of an other forum member does with his LP, approx. 5m away from the Wiim Amp Pro. Good ADC -> Toslink into the Wiim. Job done.

 

[morillon]

Just havin a look at this thread now, .. thanks, exactly.

The main measurements , AP, are available on the minidsp site...and the example of the adept shows that minidsp does not tinker with their measurements to suit itself.
(The use of the machine is basic and the measurements are easy, the only difficulty is to have a very qualitative generator to have enough margin...)

 

[morillon]

It's a real shame not to take standard measurements on this affordable little ADC/Toslink SPDIF... ;-)

 

[deercreekaudio]

We just sent Amir a sample from our first batch so hopefully his review will be forthcoming