pc to aes/ebu

[dj94030]

Hi, what's going to be a best way to connect windows pc to aes/ebu input?
I have USB and i have Realtek® Audio CODEC with Optical S/PDIF Out.

What i found:
https://www.thomann.de/gr/pro_snake_aes_ebu_spdif_cable_male_3.htm (but this needs some active optical->rca converter)

Douk Audio U2 PRO XMOS XU208 USB to COAX/OPT/HDMI Converter Digital Interface DSD256

Features With USB input and TOSLINK optical / coaxial /HDMI 12S output(can output at the same time), can work well with DAC, preamp, amplifier or speaker. Adopting XMOS XU208 chip solution, with 1000MIPS random access memory much higher than U8 (500MIPS), and more stable than Italian Amanero...

doukaudio.com

https://www.smsl-audio.com/portal/product/detail/id/808.html (with rca to xlr cable)

TOPPING D10S DAC USB 32bit/384kHz DSD 256 XMOS U208 ES9038Q2M Black - Audiophonics

Revisited version of the D10 from Topping, the D10s is an office DAC with impressive capabilities in its price range. This second version includes an ESS ES9038Q2M 32bit high-fidelity decoding chip as well as an XMOS U208 USB interface with a customized Thesycon driver to cover most of the high...

www.audiophonics.fr

Also these: https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005004371113948.html and they look the best, except that it's something very custom made and scary. But it at least has a transformer on the output according to what i saw on ebay. And marking-erased chip haha.

What i need:
To connect windows to genelec digitally cheaply, 44/16, up to 192/24 or whatever is important these days. But bluetooth would be nice. Up to $100?

 

[staticV3]

Also these: https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005004371113948.html and they look the best, except that it's something very custom made and scary. But it at least has a transformer on the output according to what i saw on ebay. And marking-erased chip haha.

There's a version of these with BT input: https://a.aliexpress.com/_EwcLAPb

 

[Ifrit]

Take a look at you motherboard and see if there are pins for electrical SPDIF on it. If so, use those connecting them to pins 1 and 2 on the XLR. That would be the cheapest.

 

[dj94030]

There's a version of these with BT input: https://a.aliexpress.com/_EwcLAPb

You think it's decent enough to plug into expensive electronics?

 

[staticV3]

You think it's decent enough to plug into expensive electronics?

AES3 is usually a very robust interface. I'd give it a shot.

 

[G|force]

I used Lynx L22 pci cards back when I was using PC's in pre USB2 days. Lynx now offers E22 and E44 pci-e cards, not exactly inexpensive.

 

[dj94030]

I'd prefer to stay under $100, it shouldn't need more i guess.

 

[dj94030]

https://aliexpress.com/item/1005004993997351.html looks interesting, but no 192.

https://aliexpress.com/item/1005002872038859.html - this looks very interesting, maybe that's the one. Doesn't even need psu.

 

[fast_mick]

I had the Topping 10S its ok but not real good.
I have Mutec MC3+ USB and its a lovely unit and sounds fab.
I mainly listen to Tidal reference through the PC direct to the digital input of some Genelec 8330's with a Genelec 10" sub. it sounds fab.

 

[dj94030]

I had the Topping 10S its ok but not real good.
I have Mutec MC3+ USB and its a lovely unit and sounds fab.
I mainly listen to Tidal reference through the PC direct to the digital input of some Genelec 8330's with a Genelec 10" sub. it sounds fab.

2 different digital interfaces have different sound?

 

[fast_mick]

I got the impression that the mutec controlled jitter much better so the music or sound sound fuller, so yes there is a difference in sound

 

[staticV3]

I got the impression that the mutec controlled jitter much better so the music or sound sound fuller, so yes there is a difference in sound

citation needed

 

[fast_mick]

Hi Static,

Yes its my opinion and therefore is considered "alleged" no proof is being offered.

 

[unpluggged]

Hi Static,

Yes its my opinion and therefore is considered "alleged" no proof is being offered.

You still are expected to explain how you came to the conclusion that this perceived difference in sound is due to better jitter control, as you claim, because this is not something trivial.

 

[fast_mick]

Mutec MC3+ USB DDC/Reclocker Measurements - GoldenSound

The Mutec MC3+ is a reclocker with some interesting features, but performance and build that leaves one to wonder if the price is justified

goldensound.audio

its my opinion i dont really care if you agree or not

 

[fast_mick]

The review is not all that flattering to the MC3+ but I really like it and think it sounds fab

and therefore i will ask you how many times have you read a review and then purchased the product and thought .... well its ... not really as good as I thought it would be.

I bought my MC+ direct online from Germany and it worked out cheaper ... but its still a more expensive product than the topping.

 

[BDWoody]

I got the impression that the mutec controlled jitter much better so the music or sound sound fuller, so yes there is a difference in sound

But, no evidence to back that up of course.

...but its still a more expensive product than the topping..

Well, that's explains it.

Yes its my opinion and therefore is considered "alleged" no proof is being offered.

its my opinion i dont really care if you agree or not

So, you won't be upset when it is given no credibility, and it is pointed out to those who come here for well founded advice that absent actual evidence there is no reason to believe what you are claiming.

 

[Kraak]

I bought one of these usb to aes convertors from aliexpress (the 192khz one without bluetooth) to try out, works as expected. It also has volume control on mac, which could be handy. Hooked up to genelec 8331A's.

https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005004414698168.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.5.2b7279d2ZXA8TC&gatewayAdapt=glo2nld

 

[zdykstra]

I bought one of these usb to aes convertors from aliexpress (the 192khz one without bluetooth) to try out, works as expected. It also has volume control on mac, which could be handy. Hooked up to genelec 8331A's.

https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005004414698168.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.5.2b7279d2ZXA8TC&gatewayAdapt=glo2nld

View attachment 345119

Does it auto-select the bit depth / frequency based on the source material, or do you have to manually select it when it changes? I'd be curious to see the insides of the device, if you're willing to try opening it up.