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ESI Audio Dr. DAC nano - USB to S/PDIF interface

I'm looking for a USB 2.0 to S/PDIF interface, and I came accross the ESI Audio Dr. DAC nano:
http://www.esi-audio.com/products/drdacnano/

These are my requirements for a computer interface:

(1) connects to a Windows computer (most likely running Windows 7) via USB 2.0. No PCI cards, no firewire... must be USB 2.0.

(2) has bit-perfect S/PDIF (or AES) output. It could be coax, optical, XLR (for AES), whatever kind of connection, it doesn't matter. But it needs to be bit-perfect S/PDIF (or AES).

(3) support for 24 bit / 96 kHz stereo files.

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with the ESI Audio Dr. DAC nano. I used to own a WaveTerminal 24/96 PCI soundcard made from this company, and was pleased with it. So that's a good starting point, but I'd really like to hear from someone who has used this specific product before I buy one.

Or alternatively, if anyone has any other recommendations for a different product that fits my needs (as outlined above), that would be great to hear as well.

Thanks,
Jason
jasonsobel

Showing 5 responses by cmalak

cmalak
681 posts
 
Jason...finally, i just remembered this review at 6moons.com for the Stello U2 (april Music) but it's for $349: http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/aprilmusic5/u2.html

Ofcourse there are more expensive options like the Off-Ramp from Empirical Audio and Sonicweld Diverter 24/96 USB to SPDIF converter which got a Positive Feedback Brutus award recently.

I am all out of ideas for you Jason :-)
cmalak
681 posts
 
not sure if USB 2.0 (but think so): http://www.belcantodesign.com/Belcanto_usb_link.html
cmalak
681 posts
 
Jason...here's another option that has gotten a lot of good reviews but is still slightly above your budget at $169: http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/trends4/usb.html
cmalak
681 posts
 
Finally, @$129, this is another option: http://www.hagtech.com/hagusb.html
cmalak
681 posts
 
Jason...the only other thing i can think of are the HRT Musicstreamer USB DACs which support 24/96 digital formats but they are standalone DACs not converters and they got solid reviews (http://www.musicstreamer.co.nz/).

My sense was that you wanted to use a USB to S/PDIF converter to use with an existing DAC. Here is a resource that might be useful: http://thewelltemperedcomputer.com/HW/USB_DAC.htm

The other resource that might be useful are the forums at the Computer Audiophile website: http://www.computeraudiophile.com/

Hope this helps Jason. Good luck with your search.
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