What Digital to Digital Converter Do You Use? Why?


I have an iFi Zen Stream and am considering using a digital to digital converter to convert the iFi's USB to i2s into the May Holo DAC.

I guess the question that arises is if this approach is sonically better than USB directly into the DAC.

So, who can offer some advice based on personal experience?  Yes, I do realize that your DAC and streamer differ from mine.

 

vonhelmholtz

I use a Behringer Ultramatch SRC2496 because I have it, it still works, and it provides me with the ability to convert the toslink output on my source to AES/EBU input on my digital crossover. I like the level meters and pretty indicator lights. It has a headphone jack with a touchy volume control - gets very loud quick on typical headphones! My biggest gripe is that the power supply can vibrate and make the chassis hum so I have to damp it down to keep it quiet. 

audioman58's avatar

audioman58

2,733 posts

 

Denafrips IHave been using along time great build quality, great value 

and their whole line up sounds very good ,I own the Aries2,

pontus2 , Terminator 2 , the Terminator 2  makes everything sound great..................................................I have the Ares2 with CEC Transport........sounds great but how much of an upgrade in the Denafrips line do I need to make ,to hear a fairly substantial difference......

I use a Berkeley Audio Design Alpha USB interface because my DAC does not have a USB input. It provides better sonic performance than the Fiio K3 from which I upgraded.

+1 @jackd HOLO DAC’s are designed with USB as the favored input. With KTE versions they designed further enhancement to that input. Also, any power riding on the USB cable is nulled before galvanic isolation.

I always stay away from converters. Add extra stuff to the signal path is always a bad thing. I use what is native. 
 

Which input is better is always dependent on the output device and the input device. USB has recently added to the list of legitimate inputs. It was originally a computer thing and not associated with high end audio. Was added as folks with computers started using them as streamers. They are now becoming main stream.