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Recommended USB- SPDIF converter for Metrum Octave

I am looking for a USB to SPDIF converter to use with a Metrum Octave DAC. The primary ones under consideration are:

1. JKSPDIF Mk III ($460)
2. Audiophilleo 2 with Pure Power ($999)
5. Wavelength Audio WaveLink ($900)

These configuration would be computer->USB to SPDIF->Metrum Octave->Rogue Cronus->Harbeth P3ESR

Aside from the obvious cost consideration favoring the JKSPDIF Mk III and Linux support favoring the Audiophilleo, can anyone comment on how the sound compares for any of the units?

I would prefer to hear from Metrum owners and owners of the aforementioned converters, but any other recommendations from owners of similar USB to SPDIF converters using them with the Metrum Octave would be appreciated. The reason for asking before looking further is that I came across these comments from John Darko on the DAR website.

"How does the Audiophilleo compare to the JKSPDIF? I get asked this question a lot. I've tried them both with a wide array of budget DACs over many, many months. There really isn't that much to separate them sonically. I could happily live with either (in the long-term) but I distinctly preferred the JKSPDIF with the Metrum Octave - it seemed to bring out more elasticity and tame some of the glassiness."

"Last week a buddy and I sat down to compare four different DACs. Whilst I won't divulge the conclusions here (this piece is about transports, remember?), we both agreed that the Audiophilleo seemed to overcook the upper-mids on a couple of decoding boxes. This wrinkle was ironed flat with a digital attenuator. The JKSPDIF MK3 seems to be kinder/gentler overall. Perhaps it's the battery technology?"

Can anyway comment as to whether or not they have shared his experience of the Audiophilleo? I believe his experience was without the Pure Power unit, and I was wondering how much of a change that had brought to the table for Audiophilleo owners, understanding that these characterizations are often system dependent.
anonymoustao

Showing 3 responses by eugene81

eugene81
270 posts
 
Oddly enough I had the opposite experience as Elberoth2...

I had the AP2 for about 3 days before I sold it. It sounded hard and fatiguing in the upper midrange/lower treble with slightly compressed imaging, though it did offer noticeably more detail than the Squeezebox Touch and TOSLink direct from PC, but not hugely so. When I put it up for sale I got a message from a person inquiring about my impressions and he felt the same way about the AP2. The guy I sold it to got rid of it within a week. With all the raves about the device I wonder if it was fully broken in. I bought it used but the previous owner did not mention anything about its age.

I currently use, and have for a few months now, the JKSPDIF MK3 and like it far better than the AP2. The sound is fuller and just as detailed, if not more so, than the AP2, imaging is precise and 3D, bass definition and weight improved quite a bit, but above all the tone of instruments sounds natural and just "right". It is a great, great piece of gear, and whereas the AP2 made me a little skeptical about the value of these USB to SPDIF devices, the John Kenny MK3 makes me want to explore more expensive units such as the base Off-Ramp or Berkeley Alpha USB.

Also, I watch a lot of videos through my audio rig and have never had any issues with audio lag through the MK3.

I used both products with the Berkeley Alpha DAC and Bel Canto DAC 3.
eugene81
270 posts
 
I just got a Weiss INT203 and it is clearly superior to both the Audiophilleo 2 and JKSPDIF Mk3. It plays on the strengths of both but on a higher level with great detail, transparency, and openness, but very natural and balanced, never strident or overly pronounced in any way. It is a great value on the used market. I just saw one go for $799! That's probably about what a used AP1 + PurePower would go for. Even new it looks like prices have come down a lot on the INT202/203 to about $1350. The only caveat is firewire, not USB. I had to ditch my Zotac nettop for a Mac Mini.

I have a Wavelink HS on the way and will post my impressions.
eugene81
270 posts
 
After some limited testing I have found that the Wavelink HS is again better than both the AP and JKSPDIF, but I prefer the Weiss over it. Compared to the INT203, the Wavelink is more like the AP -- more direct, very clear, transparent, and resolved -- with more emphasis on leading edge definition than the Weiss. The Weiss has a more relaxed character... but still vivid and exciting somehow. I find it a little more open and bigger and maybe more "natural" than the Wavelink. I do not find the Wavelink hard or fatiguing at all like the AP, however. I like the Wavelink a lot and am using it in my bedroom with the Squeezebox Touch -- a great converter for that purpose as USB support is somewhat limited on the Touch. Both the Wavelink and Weiss are great and I think it's a matter of preference.

Personally I think of the Wavelink HS and INT203/202 as counterparts to the Audiophilleo and JKSPDIF Mk3, respectively, at the next level of performance.
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