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USB to COAX/OPTICAL Converter Adapter

inomics

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Joined
Feb 5, 2024
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4
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Hello.

I am trying to renew my second audio system, which is a purely digital one (in contrast to the main).

I am looking for a USB to COAX/OPTICAL Converter / Adapter. It should connect a PC laptop with active speakers. Allow volume control in Win-PC or have an own volume controller.

In this thread:
there was the SMSL PO100 Pro suggested.
BTW on amazon it is (wrongly?) advertised as a Digital to Analog Converter:

I have found https://doukaudio.com/collections/d...x-opt-hdmi-converter-digital-interface-dsd256
In terms of features, it looks what I need. Not sure about quality.

Both are made in PRC. I would prefer something quality.

My equipment:
HP ZBook Fury 17 G8 Win 11 with USB-A and and USB-C outputs
USB cable AudioQuest Cinnamon

Roland DS-5 active speakers
Oehlbach NF 113 DI 500 Cinch S/PDIF Coax, 75 Ohm, 5m - to mutually connect Rolands

Thanks for suggestions :)

inomics
 
Hi @inomics! Welcome to ASR.

A few years ago I bought the basic SMSL PO100 for about 30€, which has performed flawlessly.

SMSL have recently refreshed this model, which is now called PO100 2024.

If I still needed one, that's the one I'd buy.

It has UAC2 Hardware volume control built-in, which means that you can always use the default OS volume slider for volume control, even in macOS and in Windows using ASIO.
 
Last edited:
I've been using one of these for over four years (mine is not USB-C; newer ones are). No problems.
 
Thanks staticV3 and gberchin for feedback.
Good to know SMSL and DoukAudio models are reasonably durable.
I am indifferent to USB-A or USB-C.
 
Update

I received my SMSL Audio PO100. The device works well via both coax and optical.

Thanks for guiding me to this device.

PS For connection to PC, I use Oehlbach Evolution C3 USB. As audio output I use AudioQuest Cinnamon.
 

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Here is one I made a review:

,works totally fine and has a bluetooth on board.
 

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Hello.

I am trying to renew my second audio system, which is a purely digital one (in contrast to the main).

I am looking for a USB to COAX/OPTICAL Converter / Adapter. It should connect a PC laptop with active speakers. Allow volume control in Win-PC or have an own volume controller.

In this thread:
there was the SMSL PO100 Pro suggested.
BTW on amazon it is (wrongly?) advertised as a Digital to Analog Converter:

I have found https://doukaudio.com/collections/d...x-opt-hdmi-converter-digital-interface-dsd256
In terms of features, it looks what I need. Not sure about quality.

Both are made in PRC. I would prefer something quality.

My equipment:
HP ZBook Fury 17 G8 Win 11 with USB-A and and USB-C outputs
USB cable AudioQuest Cinnamon

Roland DS-5 active speakers
Oehlbach NF 113 DI 500 Cinch S/PDIF Coax, 75 Ohm, 5m - to mutually connect Rolands

Thanks for suggestions :)

inomics
Here is a timecode,I am testing BEA1 usb to optical output:
 
Hello.

I am trying to renew my second audio system, which is a purely digital one (in contrast to the main).

I am looking for a USB to COAX/OPTICAL Converter / Adapter. It should connect a PC laptop with active speakers. Allow volume control in Win-PC or have an own volume controller.

In this thread:
there was the SMSL PO100 Pro suggested.
BTW on amazon it is (wrongly?) advertised as a Digital to Analog Converter:

I have found https://doukaudio.com/collections/d...x-opt-hdmi-converter-digital-interface-dsd256
In terms of features, it looks what I need. Not sure about quality.

Both are made in PRC. I would prefer something quality.

My equipment:
HP ZBook Fury 17 G8 Win 11 with USB-A and and USB-C outputs
USB cable AudioQuest Cinnamon

Roland DS-5 active speakers
Oehlbach NF 113 DI 500 Cinch S/PDIF Coax, 75 Ohm, 5m - to mutually connect Rolands

Thanks for suggestions :)

inomics
Am using simpler version of Douk V2 interface for couple of years. Totally problem free. Would recommend it. Quality is fine ... as it is digital to digital interface i just focus on changing sample rates as that can be real-life challenge for some / all problem free, instant and no glitches. Would recommend it highly. Seems 90% of evals on Amazon agree with it: Douk V2
 
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