15 USB/SPDIF converters shootout

CKL

http://www.computeraudiophile.co ... ers-shootout-15327/

huangkang

I have the M2Tech HiFace Two, it is not including in the test.

odysseyhk

Good stuff.  I'm testing Audiobyte Hydra-X arriving this week. Too new to be included in computeraudiophile review yet.

dominiquetu

With my experiences on most of the listed USB / SPDIF convertors; my top three choices are:

- Berkeley Alpha USB
- Belcanto Reflink
- Audiophilleo 1/2 + PP

Unfortunately, I never have a chance to A/B test the above convertors.

cwtim01

Thanks for the sharing, extremely useful.

Seems it's about time to consider upgrading my Stello U3.

CKL

Using Evo + clock + Paul Hynes' power supply with I2S:

cwtim01

請問半透明那盒子是什麼?

CKL

Switching between 2 power supplies for AB comparison immediately.

chaucer

若話Audio-GD DI-V3+TCXO upgrade +外置PSU有100分，咁Audiobyte Hydra-X 該有150分了。

15 USB converters大比拼原文樓主Elberoth有心有力，寫得精采，睇嘅過癮。本來的15款USB converters，無一用過，無庸置喙，後來有位Guydebord加入評論，標竿中國順德Audio-GD DI-V3為100分，AP1+PP為99分云云，這一筆就有趣了！因自己也有一套一樣的Audio-GD在服役。

年初時尚未定好CAS upgrade方案，但又想嘗嘗Audirvana integer mode實力，遂購入了一套不犯本的Adio-GD DI-V3+TCXO upgrade +外置PSU過渡一下。目的達到了，integer mode下，音效大有改善。開心一輪之後，反覆搜索，在正想落訂Sonore Rendu network audio player 作為CAS upgrade目標之際，發現跟現役解碼同系即將推出新DDC，設計、功能及規格實在超班，遂改訂了呢部羅馬尼亞品牌Audiobyte的 Hydra-X了。

在等貨中途，見到computeraudiophile上有人講到Audio-GD咁靚聲，冇喜有驚！驚部Hydra靚唔過部GD。

日前貨到，開聲一聽，放下心頭大石不特止，Hydra靚聲好多。我呢d用單端膽搭full range喇叭嘅，相當在意low level information重播能力同 music flow流暢度感受。明顯Hydra 好靜，back ground 更黑，表現相當細膩。流暢度亦大幅提升。

好了，新機未煲夠，亦未搵啱hdmi缐，遅d先出詳細心得。

CKL

I vote for this new one using an internal LiFePO4 battery:

CKKeung

chaucer 發表於 2013-4-15 23:16
若話Audio-GD DI-V3+TCXO upgrade +外置PSU有100分，咁Audiobyte Hydra-X 該有150分了。

15 USB converter ...

chaucer hing,

Good Sharing!  
Many East European brands (e.g. Lessloss, Estelon, Audiobyte, Karan...etc) have good technologies & give good sound but not well-known in HK.

chaucer

CKKeung 兄所言甚是。現役解碼來自羅馬尼亞，結合了自研的digital filter、output stage 和MSB dac基本版金磗，做出生猛又傳情的聲音。

CKKeung

chaucer 發表於 2013-4-17 23:35
CKKeung 兄所言甚是。現役解碼來自羅馬尼亞，結合了自研的digital filter、output stage 和MSB dac基本版金 ...

chaucer ching,

Wow, Rockna Wavequest DAC is a rarity!  
It uses MSB OEM R2R ladder modules so you & me are in the same family.  haha  

Please share with hiendy brothers more on this dac.
It seems that yours is a new version with one bigger toroid transformer and damping pads over the capacitors.

chaucer

CKKeung兄，

你果部係MSB血統正宗喎，我果部算借種衍生，哈哈！

幾年前用過一部2手msb platinum link，「生猛鮮活」的音效，不是後來入宮開CAS先河的Weiss DAC2可比，當中差異，部分相信歸功於R2R ladder type 的解碼 ，仲要係discrete。
Wavequest嘅digital filter和output stage聽得出落過苦工，整體音效，在「生猛鮮活」上加多兩個字，「傳情」，音樂感很不錯呢

CKKeung

chaucer 發表於 2013-4-18 22:48
CKKeung兄，

你果部係MSB血統正宗喎，我果部算借種衍生，哈哈！

Chaucer兄，
我地係孖生兄弟啫！  haha

alamakazam

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