Poll: Which USB / SPDIF converter do you prefer?

[Moxalain]

Hello.
I'm French and I use google trad

The XMOS USB input on my DAC isn't as good as the SPDIF (coaxial) or optical inputs.
I'm often disappointed with XMOS.
Friends lent me USB to SPDIF converters, and they're better.

I compared XMOS, Amanero, Engineered, and other chips.
I really like Engineered, but it's hard to find.

So I thought: ask ASR to find out which converters they would recommend.
I'm listening.
Best regards.
Alain

 

[staticV3]

The XMOS USB input on my DAC isn't as good as the SPDIF

Not as good in what way?

Friends lent me USB to SPDIF converters, and they're better.

Better in what way?

ask ASR to find out which converters they would recommend.

We can only recommend if we know what you want to achieve.

 

[Moxalain]

I don't want to get into a battle of numbers and percentages, and I might not be in the right section of the forum.

Musical experience is always subjective, but I'll try to be factual.
The coaxial and optical inputs of my Eversolo Z8 fully satisfy me. The test figures are quite good, what matters to me is that it meets what I like to hear (we're back to the subjective).

Objectively, the same FLAC track played through the USB port of my Z8 is degraded (compared to the other inputs).
I don't have a figure to give here, as I don't have a measurement laboratory.
I've noticed (subjectively, I agree with you) that on the DACs I've owned (I won't list them), the results were always the same.
The USB was of inferior quality to the coaxial or optical. I'm not going to write a book on "measurement versus feeling."
If we're all looking for hi-fi equipment, it's not to read the technical manuals, but to try to get as close as possible to the musical instruments.
That famous subjective feeling.
So I tried several converters to avoid the USB inputs of DACs and favor coaxial or optical.

I'm looking for a musical USB SPDIF converter. That's all.

With all due respect to the measurements, my ears (the ultimate goal) don't like XMOS cards, even if they satisfy oscilloscopes.
I'm talking about the ones I've listened to (there are certainly some very well-implemented XMOS cards).

I was talking about Amanero. Not all Amanero cards are good.
For example, the Amanero Combo 384 from Ali Express is average, but the GD Audio DI-24 is very good.
It's not the hardware inside the box that interests me, it's what comes out.

I drive a car without understanding how an engine works, and I enjoy driving.
Do you listen to music yourself, or do you prefer to enjoy curves or percentages (I'm not joking, my question is sincere)?
I imagine you're a music lover; you'll understand my search for the Holy Grail.

I'm talking to those who have a USB/SPDIF converter and are satisfied with it. Which model?
Which converter do you use?

Best regards

 

[staticV3]

Objectively, the same FLAC track played through the USB port of my Z8 is degraded (compared to the other inputs).
I don't have a figure to give here, as I don't have a measurement laboratory.

Then this is not an objective observation, and may as well be your mind playing tricks on you.

With all due respect to the measurements, my ears (the ultimate goal) don't like XMOS cards, even if they satisfy oscilloscopes.

Please do yourself a favor and just once perform a controlled, blind listening test.

As it stands, you're likely just caught in confirmation bias.

In other words, it's not the Xmos card that's degrading the perceived sound, it's you being aware that you're listening through an Xmos card.

A controlled test removes that variable from the equation and enables you to, perhaps for the first time, truly listen with just your ears.

No laboratory equipment is required for this.

A basic microphone and the freeware Deltawave suffice to perform a controlled listening test and to objectively quantify the difference between Xmos USB and SPDIF input.

 

[sam_adams]

I'm talking to those who have a USB/SPDIF converter and are satisfied with it. Which model?

Douk Audio U2 Pro.

See here from a while ago.

 

[Moxalain]

Thank you Sam_adams. I'll try it !

@Stativ
My expérience :
I'm sitting on my couch and I can't see anything.
A friend is connecting the devices. I don't know which model I'm listening to.

But I'm having fun: My test converto and DIY

What happens if you listen to a wonderful device and then realize, after, the measurements are bad?
Do you reject it?

A true story : I try some converters and select a Ciunas by John Kenny.
Then I looked at the measurements on ASR. Not good!
But it's like my wife: perfect with flaws !
I kept my wife and the Ciunas (which was lost when I have changed of house. The Ciunas. Not my wife !).

Lately (see my link) Engineered has been the best (for me) converter.
But recently it's been experiencing micro-cutouts. I don't know why.
And the company no longer exists (taken over by Watson Audio).
I've been very sad ever since.

I completely agree with you: Random and blind tests.
However, I like measuring afterwards and I'm going to follow your advice on measuring equipment.
It's a good time to spend and informative.

Thank you so much
Have a nice day.

 

[majingotan]

Thank you Sam_adams. I'll try it !

@Stativ
My expérience :
I'm sitting on my couch and I can't see anything.
A friend is connecting the devices. I don't know which model I'm listening to.

But I'm having fun: My test converto and DIY

What happens if you listen to a wonderful device and then realize, after, the measurements are bad?
Do you reject it?

A true story : I try some converters and select a Ciunas by John Kenny.
Then I looked at the measurements on ASR. Not good!
But it's like my wife: perfect with flaws !
I kept my wife and the Ciunas (which was lost when I have changed of house. The Ciunas. Not my wife !).

Lately (see my link) Engineered has been the best (for me) converter.
But recently it's been experiencing micro-cutouts. I don't know why.
And the company no longer exists (taken over by Watson Audio).
I've been very sad ever since.

I completely agree with you: Random and blind tests.
However, I like measuring afterwards and I'm going to follow your advice on measuring equipment.
It's a good time to spend and informative.

Thank you so much
Have a nice day.

I use Berkeley Audio Design Alpha USB Series 2 DDC. Should measure pretty transparent for a DDC. Also, they have a new Alpha USB Reference which uses the same low phase noise clocks from their reference 3P DAC, but they're very pricey retailing for 2.4 times the price of my Series 2 DDC

 

[Moxalain]

Not cheap enough, my son, not cheap enough !
I hope it's amazing at this price.I didn't know.
Thanks for the information.