Jim wrote:
"Decent converters? So IYO, where do decent conversion interfaces begin in price? $1K, $2K?"
Probably $800.00 starting point for a USB converter. It's a lot like turntables. You can always buy a cheap one and a less expensive cartridge and get good results. Spectacular results from a turntable and phono stage requires $10K at least, more like $20K. Likewise, about $5-6K for a USB DAC. $1500 for USB converter.
"The Lynx or Hiface EVO, either plug right in, or need just a USB cord.
Given that, well, we’re talking apples and oranges right?"
The Off-Ramp 4 replaces HiFace or EVO and uses virtually identical drivers. Same thing. It comes with a USB cable. Better clocks, power and other features adds cost. Performance costs.
"The AES 16 allows for another clock to be added on as well… but guess what Lynx rep said to me about adding on aftermarket upscale clocks …….
He said, “Unless you are adding on (I forget the name) which costs several thousands of dollars, I’d not add one. Even then with this high dollar aftermarket clock, the gain is going to be quite marginal.” Indicating to me numbers like 10% or 15% improvements."
I agree, adding an expensive work-clock to drive the Lynx is a poor proposition. However, many use the Pace-Car to RECLOCK all kinds of sources, including the Lynx. This is different than just supplying a word-clock with lower jitter to help the clock in the Lynx. The digital signal passes through the Pace-Car and the Pace-Car provides a synchronizing clock to the Lynx. Reclocking establishes a totally new master clock in the Pace-Car. The Lynx clock jitter then becomes unimportant. Pace-Car starts at $1200.00. People are still using it after 7 years on the market, so it must make a significant difference. You can make the clock as good as you can afford. Just like upgrading a turntable cartridge.
"Perhaps Steve, you should have said something sooner… or others should have said something sooner on that topic. I asked. A lot. But no one chimed in and mentioned a similarly priced item which you make as a solution."
Very few of my customers read this forum.
"What would interest me in this thread of mine, is a device which totally eliminates the need for a outboard DAC. Something that can improve performace by subtraction… get rid of DACs, preamps… not bust the bank and control/feed some nice active speakers."
You cannot eliminate the outboard DAC, it is always needed. A high-performance DAC with a built-in preamp function that beats all other preamps is the ticket IMO.
The things that compromise digital system sound quality, in order of importance are:
1) master clock jitter
2) D/A digital filtering distortion
3) D/A active output stage compression
4) Volume control circuit noise and distortion
This is why I addressed all of these in my USB DAC design. Again, to get this kind of performance you are looking at $4k-6K. Performance does not come cheap.
Happy hunting.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio
