The Well-Tempered Computer, an introduction to computer audio

Showing posts with label SPDIF. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SPDIF. Show all posts

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Audiobyte Hydra X+ USB to SPDIF converter

Audiobyte Hydra X+ €699.00


- asynchronous operation
- DSD compatible
- Lithium Polymer nano , low noise battery technology
- 384k/24 bit on all outputs (optical could be limited to 96k)
- bitperfect operation
- Native on Linux, Mac
- Windows drivers available
- I2S/DSD output , LVDS compatible
- S/PDIF, AES/EBU, BNC

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Avantgarde acoustic - Zero 1


3 way active speaker with 2 horns for mid and treble.
All the digital inputs.
Crossover and room adjustment implemented in DSP




DriversSubwoofer: 30 – 250 Hz
Midrange horn: 250 – 2.000 Hz
Tweeter horn: 2.000 – 20.000 Hz


Digital inputS/PDIF
Toslink
AES/EBU
USB
Analogue inputOptional (AD converter)
Amp2 x 50 watts + 1 x 400 watts
CrossoverDSP: 6 channel, 66-bit FPGA
Filter steepnessUp to 100 dB/octave
Filter typeProgressive FIR filters
Phase shifts< 5 degrees
DAC3 x 24-bit Burr & Brown
Master/slave radio link2.4 GHz ISM/SRD
Amplitude linearization*Yes
Phase linearization*Yes
Room adjustment/equalization*100 EQs, each with 16,000 frequency points
Weight30 kg
BxHxD490 x 1040 x 318 mm


* with optional software

Website: Avantgarde acoustic
Price € 9000

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Sonore Rendu

Ethernet to S/PDIF converter.




This is a DLNA/UPnP 2.0 compliant renderer.
It doesn’t have an interface but as it is a DMR (Digital Media Renderer in DLNA speak), you can control the volume using a DMC (Digital Media Controller).
A DMC can be a PC running a DLNA server/controller software like JRiver or a smartphone with DLNA software.
The schema explains it nicely.


One of the disadvantages of DLNA is the lack of gapless playback.
The Rendu supports it but the controller must support it too.
At the present the Rendu support gapless in combination with Bubble UPNP as controller on Android or JRiver on a PC.

The Sonore Rendu.i2s has Ethernet input and SPDIF/I2S over HDMI out.
A model including a ESS Sabre ES9023 DAC is planned.
At the present only 120 VAC models are available!


Features
  • supports gapless playback*
  • supports DSD/DoP pass thru**
  • powered by an on board, extremely low noise, low output impedance linear power supply
  • isolated from noise on the network
  • operates fully asynchronously, using on board fixed frequency low jitter clocks
  • features a transformer coupled true 75 ohm SPDIF BNC output
  • has an integrated, 32 bit, high precision volume control
  • supports up to 24 bit playback at the following sample rates: 44.1KHz, 48KHz, 88.2KHz, 96KHz, 176.4KHz, 192KHz
  • plays AAC, AIFF, ALAC, FLAC, MP3, and WAV files from HTTP streams
  • controlled via apps on your mobile device
  • UPnPTM AV 2.0 / DLNA compliant
    * Gapless is currently supported via Android with Bubble UPNP as controller, J-River on PC as controller with local storage. Check back for updates.
    ** DSD/DoP pass thru requires the use of MinimServer

Website: Sonore
Price US$ 1369

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Bryston BDA 2

Another DAC with the almost mandatory asynchronous USB input.
 

 • Dual 192K/32Bit AKM DAC’s
• Independent dual power Supplies
• Discrete Class A analog output stage
• Selectable synchronous upsampling (176.4K/192K)
• Independent analog and digital signal paths
• Inputs: 192/24 USB (1, asynchronous), COAX (2), OPTICAL (2), AES-EBU (1) BNC (2)
• Fully differential balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA stereo outputs
• Transformer coupled SPDIF and AES EBU digital inputs
• SPDIF COAX bypass loop output

Website: Bryston BDA 2
Price: US$ 2395,-

Thursday, November 15, 2012

BNC connectors


You need a true 75 Ohms cable for SPDIF over coax.
Best is to terminate it with true 75 Ohm connectors.
If you don’t you still have an impedance mismatch.
RCA connecters are not 75 Ohm.
That is the reason why BNC connectors are recommended.
Some go as far as to change the RCA receptacle on the DAC by a BNC and buy a cable terminated with BNC.
Be careful because many BNC connectors are 50 instead of 75 Ohm!


Wellshow - BNC Connector Introduction
Digital cables - The Well-tempered Computer

Monday, October 29, 2012

AURALiC Vega DAC

DAC supporting both PCM and DSD over USB.
PCM from 44.1KS/s to 384KS/s in 32Bit (352.8KS/s and 384KS/s USB only)

DSD64( 2.8224MHz) and DSD128(5.6448MHz) - 'DoP V1.1' standard, USB only


Frequency Response: 20 - 20KHz, +/- 0.1dB*
Signal/Noise:126dB, 20Hz-20KHz, A-weighted
THD+N:<0 .0003=".0003" 0dbfs="0dbfs" 20hz-20khz="20hz-20khz" at="at" p="p">Dynamic Range:130dB, 20Hz-20KHz, A-weighted

Digital Inputs
1*AES/EBU
2*Coaxial
1*Toslink
1*USB 2.0 buffered by ActiveUSB™

Analog Outputs
1*Balanced(output impedance 2.2ohm)
1*Single-ended(output impedance 50ohm)

Website: AURALiC
Price: US$ 3499 / € 3299



AURALiC Sanctuary Audio Processor

Sanctuary audio processor, the heart of VEGA, is based on multi-core ARM9 architecture with calculating capability at 1000MIPS which is ideal for handling multi-channel high resolution music. AURALiC also introduces the second generation ActiveUSB ™ to VEGA that separates the USB PHY into a discrete chip to future reduce EMI  from computer. Resorting to these technologies, VEGA not only support DXD format(352.8KS/s and 384KS/s PCM signal in 32bit) but also able to decode DSD stream at 2.8224MHz and 5.6448MHz in native though 'DoP V1.1' transmission standard.

Megahertz Upsampling

By using the latest ground breaking algorithm, megahertz upsampling technology can process and up-sample all incoming PCM format to 1.5MHz at 32bit depth. These not only improve the precision of DAC, but also create a new Nyquist frequency for all PCM signal which farther away from the top end of audio frequency. As a result, our engineers are able to design a bran-new analog circuit structure with more bandwidth and faster slew rate. Comparing to previous design, the new structure is more transparent to audio signal with lower distortion and less noise, it also lets red book CDs sound more rich and smooth.

Femto Master Clock

The purpose of Femto master clock is to give DAC an ultimate clock with extremely low jitter and phase noise. It utilizes aerospace grade crystal oscillator, ultra low noise linear power supply and temperature compensation technology to generate master clock with extremely low jitter performance at 82 femtoseconds(0.082 picoseconds). What's more important, the phase noise which affect sound quality a lot has been dramatically reduced to -168dBc/Hz. Driving by such amazing clean clock, VEGA can easily reproduce the music details in the 'last bit', represent a rock solid stereo image you may never experience before.

Fully Customized Digital Filters

VEGA has six built-in digital filters which are developed under AURALiC's subjective auditory sense and objective testing data relationship models. These filters are specially designed to optimize the listening experience for different music and format. The linear phase filter exhibits perfect in-band ripple and out-band attenuation performance while the minimum phase filter is better for enjoyment as it has no 'pre-ringing' effect. There are also slow roll-off filter and several noise filters for native DSD conversion. To maximum usage of these filters, VEGA allows its user to customize according to different formats, tuning sound best to personal preference.

AURALiC ORFEO Class-A Output Module

In order to drive various loads, matching different power amplifiers, VEGsA is equipped with AURALiC's patented ORFEO Class-A module as the output stage which inspired by Neve 8078 analog console’s circuit design. The principle of this module is to use a mass of small signal components with best linear characteristic. By packing them though a thermal balance procedure and bias the transistors into Class-A, ORFEO achieves impressive performance with open loop distortion less than 0.001%. The ORFEO module used in VEGA has been selected and tweaked for lower noise while maintains its driving capability for 600ohm load without distortion raise.


Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Benchmark DAC2 HGC

DAC with volume control, line and headphone out.
DSD over USB ( DoP 1.0)
Supports USB(async) 1 & 2. Driver for Win.
2x4 32-bit DACs
Output: RCA/XLR

Website: Benchmark
Price: US$ 1995

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Primare DAC30


USB audio class 2 compliant DAC with USB receiver by XMOS


  • 24 / 192 Khz
  • Crystal DSD DAC CS4398 (BD32)
  • Fully balanced analogue output stage (BD32)
  • Inputs: 1x asynchronous USB-B, 1x AES/EBU, 3x Optical, 3x Coax S/PDIF
  • Outputs: 1 pair XLR and 1 pair RCA (both 4,3V)

Website Primare
Price € 2350

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Burson Conductor


Headphone amplifier/ Pre amplifier / DAC



Inputs
1 x USB Connection
1 x Coaxial RCA (Support up to 24bit @ 192Khz)
1 x Toslink / SPDIF (Support up to 24bit @ 192Khz)
2 x RCA line level input


Outputs
1 x headphone jacks 6.35mm
1 x RCA Pre Amp output
1 x RCA DAC direct line out


DAC Specification
ESS SABRE32
Channel Separation: 140 dB @ 1KHz, 130 dB @ 20KHz
THD+N: 0.0005% @ 1KHz, 0dBFS
COAX & Toslink / SPDIF : 32 bits / 44.1K, 48K, 88.2K, 96K, 176.4K, 192KHz


USB Specification
Tenor TE8802
OS Requirement: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Mac OS X
USB : 24 bits / 44.1K, 48K, 88.2K, 96K, 176.4K, 192KHz
Support up to 24bit @ 192Khz with 10ppm low jitter clock
Asynchronous Transfer Mode


Website: Burson
Price: $1.850

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Bel Canto REFLink


Asynchronous USB converter

Supported sampling rates: 44.1kHz - 192kHz
Supported word lengths: up to 24-bit
USB driver for Win

Output:
  • Coaxial SPDIF on BNC 75Ω 
  • Balanced AES on XLR 110Ω 
  • LightLink ST Fiber 
Proprietary 500MHz DSP Asynchronous USB Core
Dual Ultra-Low Phase-Noise Clocks
Two-stage galvanic isolation
Dedicated LNS (Low Noise Supply)

Website: Bel Canto 
Price: AU$ 1595

Sunday, August 26, 2012

CIAudio Transient MKII Asynchronous USB Converter



Input: asynchronous 24/192 USB (Xmos), driver for Windows

Digital Outputs:
• S/PDIF via 75 ohm BNC Connector (Galvanic Isolated)
• I2S via Mini DIN Connector (Audio Alchemy/Perpetual Tech/Camelot)
• Differential I2S via HDMI Connector (PS Audio/Wyred4Sound)

Sample Rates Supported: 44.1k, 48k, 88.2k, 96k, 176.4k, 192k up to 24bits
Master Clock Jitter: < 1.0 psec
Analog Output Level: 2V RMS Maximum (Single-ended RCA)
Frequency Response: 0hz to 96kHz
THD + Noise: -89db @ -1dBFS

Dimensions: 4.45"W x 2.9"H (including feet) x 5.25" D
Warranty: 5 Year Parts & Labor
Website: CIAudio 
Price: US$ 699

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Chord QuteHD DAC




Harmonic distortion: 103 dBV
Signal-to-noise ratio: 115dBV
Dynamic range: 118dBV

Digital inputs:
1 x USB HD with DSD decoding (DoP), 44.1 kHz to 192kHz, 16-32-bit (future 384kHz-ready).
USB driver for Win
1x Optical
1x Coaxial 44.1 kHz/ 384kHz-ready, 16-32-bit

Outputs: 2x RCA phono
Power supply: 12v 1A 2.1mm connector. 100-240V - 50/60Hz, 1A wall adapter supplied
Weight: 0.4kg
Dimensions: 160x70x40mm (WxHxD)

Website: Chord
Price:  £990

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Linnenberg u:c:a

Pre-amp with USB and SPDIF inputs and RCA and headphone out.



USB input uses the M2tech OEM circuit (Win/Mac) but a new receiver using the XMOS XS1-L1 is planned allowing for full USB Audio Class 2 support (Win, OSX, Linux).

DAC: TI/Burr Brown PCM1794A with TI/BB4192 sample-rate converter.
Upsampling to 192kHz, regardless of input rate. Master clock oscillator with 3ps periodic jitter. Passive I/U conversation with 0.1% precision resistors, zero feedback.

Headphones amplifier: Full discrete construction. NO OPAMPS. NO CHIPS. Volume control with selected blue Alps attenuator. 6.35mm phone jack output. 1000mW continuous sine power output. 1Ohm output impedance. Suitable for 32 – 600 Ohms cans.

Sampling frequencies:44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192kHz, (plus 32kHz S/PDIF)
Resolution:Up to 32bit, (24bit S/PDIF)
Frequency response:1Hz - 24kHz +0.1dB -0.5dB
Distortion and noise:<0.01% 10Hz - 20kHz @ -10dB
Output level:4V rms
Output power:2 x 500mW continous @ 32 Ohms
Output impedance:1 Ohm
Mains voltage:115V, 230V factory set
Dimensions (H x W x D):55 x 165 x 224 mm

Website Linnenberg
Price: €1.190

Saturday, June 9, 2012

M2Tech hiFace Two USB to SPDIF converter






The biggest news is probably that M2Tech decided not to use their proprietary drivers but to using the native mode USB audio drives of the operating system.
It is UAC1 and UAC2 compliant so will work out of the box with Win, OSX and Linux.
For > 96 kHz you need a driver on Win as Win is not UAC2 compliant.
The receiver is by XMOS and the driver by Thesycon.
  • Input 1 x USB A type male
  • Output 1 x RCA or BNC female
  • Input USB 2.0 Audio Format with aAsynchronous synchronazation 
  • Output S/PDIF Stereo Digital Audio Format
  • Sampling Frequency: 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4khZ, 192kHz
  • Resolution 16 up to 24 bit
  • Dimensions 10.2(d) x 2.2(h) x 2(w) cm
  • Power Supply 5V DC from USB bus
  • Weight 50gr approx.

M2Tech hiFace 2 
Price: US$ 185

Friday, April 20, 2012

Antelope Audio Rubicon

Rubicon is a 384 kHz converter, phono stage preamp and headphone amplifier with an integrated atomic clock.

  • 10M Rubidium Atomic Clock
  • 64-bit Acoustically Focused Clocking jitter management technology
  • Ultra low noise phono inputs with custom audio transformers, discrete JFET preamp design
  • 384kHz A/D & D/A converters
  • Gold-plated stepped relay volume attenuator matched to 0.05dB for all volume levels
  • Ultra-linear, dual stage headphone amps
  • De-jittered audio S/PDIF output
  • Custom USB 2.0 chip streaming up to 480 Mbits/384kHz with recording option
  • DLNA streaming capabilities through an Ethernet interface
Price: tba

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Monkey Banana Turbo 8


Active monitor with SPDIF input

System'2-way' active
Price € 399,- each
CabinetVented
Digital inputS/PDIF
HF driver1-inch natural silk dome
LF Driver8-inch ceramic cone
Analogue inputXLR/TRS Combo connectors,
RCA
Amp30/80 Watt A/B
DSPBuild-in DAC

Website: Monkey Banana

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

John Kenny JKSPDIF MK3



Modified HiFace 24/192 asynchronous USB - SPDIF converter
Manufacturers description:
  • it is completely off-grid, powered from 2 internal batteries (these will last about 24 hours between charges)
  • it is portable - no need for external power supply when listening to audio
  • the SPDIF output stage is now based on the Wolfson WM8804 chip
  • SPDIF signal is now within spec
  • it comes in an aluminium enclosure
  • it now uses a USB type B socket
  • internal battery charger - requires user supplied 9V or 12V DC supply
Website: John Kenny
Price: €320

Sunday, March 4, 2012

NAD M51 Direct Digital DAC

35-bit 844kHz DAC and Digital Preamp.

Manufactures description:
Running at 108MHz, the M51 resamples the incoming pulse code modulated (PCM) signal and converts it to a pulse width modulation signal (PWM) with a sampling rate of 844kHz. Operating in a differential mode with double precision, the M51 has state-of-the-art specifications for low noise and freedom from distortion. The extreme headroom afforded by the 35-bit architecture allows for a DSP-based volume control that does not reduce resolution. Even with 24-bit high definition signals, the output can be attenuated by 66dB (very, very quiet) before bit truncation begins.

Specifications
Rated Distortion (THD+N with AES 17 filter) <0.0005% (0dBFS)
IMD Distortion 0.0001%
Signal/Noise Ratio <-125dB (ref. 0dBFS 2V out)
Channel Separation >-115dB (ref. 0dBFS Volume -1dB)
Sample Rate 32kHz to 192kHz (USB and digital S/PDIF)
Frequency Response ±0.5dB (ref. 20Hz - 96kHz sample rate)
Output Level 2V (ref. input 0dBFS)

Input

  • XLR - AES/EBU
  • SPDIF Coaxial x 1
  • Optical x 1
  • HDMI x 2 (stereo only)
  • USB Audio Codec 2.0: asynchronous 24/192 support


Output

  • HDMI Video Out (3D video pass through)
  • Analogue Unbalanced and Balanced

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Human Audio Tabla Pico


USB to SPDIF converter using Hiface EVO drivers (bulk mode).

Manufacturers description:
  • Resolution: up to 24 bit / 192 kHz
  • OS driver availability: for Windows & Mac OS X ( hiFace EVO compatibility )
  • Input: USB 2.0
  • Output: 75Ω BNC (optional RCA adapter from BNC)
  • Powering: Built-in rechargeable LiFePO4 battery with ~8 years lifetime without memory-effect
  • Charging: Fully automated from USB power when idle(stop & power off state)
  • Operation time (in "GREEN" battery mode) without charging: at least 12 hours of continuous playback
  • Seamless switching (with LED indication) between the clear battery ("GREEN") mode and battery charging during playback ("YELLOW") mode without any audible glitch. The battery is permanently connected to the circuit, only the charge control switch goes on and off when required. 
  • Charging time: max. 8 hours
Website  Human Audio
Price: US $579 / €380 (including 27% VAT)
The Pico on Head-Fi

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Wyred 4 Sound µDAC




  • 24/192 coaxial/Toslink
  • asynchronous 24/96 USB
  • ESS Sabre DAC 
  • 3.5”x3.5” chassis

Website
Price: US$ 399