Hi, I'm just starting out playing with PC audio and currently I am using the Halide Bridge USB/Spdif on my MacBook Pro with iTunes. It's feeding a DIY DAC (K&K Audio RAKK DAC). While it's not as open and transparent as my PS Audio PWT feeding the DAC via I2S on HDMI, it is closer to the PWT connected through S/pdif. I recently downloaded Pure Music from Channel D and will see if its memory play and superior upsampling will level the playing field. The Halide device uses Gordon's code which adds a lot to the cost, but is very easy to use. There is the possibility of modding it for PS Audio I2S on HDMI. That would get around the limitations of S/pdif. Kevin Carter of K&K Audio has modded my Logitech Touch for I2S output. When I have both devices I will compare audio quality through each and decide which way to go.
Will a Wavelink or Offramp make a difference?
I posted this on CA a few days ago, but got no response, so here goes:
I'm a little baffled by all the arguments for/against USB implementation, but the consensus seems to be that a USB/SPDIF converter will be better than going straight USB from my Benchmark Pre.
My question is, the USB converter the kind of tweak that would be fairly obvious (presuming I don't have cloth ears?) Or is it more akin to the, 'maybe you'll hear an improvement, maybe you won't.' ?
I have a modest system, but a pretty revealing one: A jungson 200 watt amplifier, the aforementioned Benchmark, fed into SP Tech Timepiece 3.0's. Cabling is mostly Blue Jeans, Signal Cable, and some homemade Venhaus recipe p/c. Any thoughts?
I'm a little baffled by all the arguments for/against USB implementation, but the consensus seems to be that a USB/SPDIF converter will be better than going straight USB from my Benchmark Pre.
My question is, the USB converter the kind of tweak that would be fairly obvious (presuming I don't have cloth ears?) Or is it more akin to the, 'maybe you'll hear an improvement, maybe you won't.' ?
I have a modest system, but a pretty revealing one: A jungson 200 watt amplifier, the aforementioned Benchmark, fed into SP Tech Timepiece 3.0's. Cabling is mostly Blue Jeans, Signal Cable, and some homemade Venhaus recipe p/c. Any thoughts?