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
I have tried all converters mentioned here with my Metrum Octave DAC (AP1, Off Ramp 5, JK SPDIF 3). IMO The AP2, possibly with the optional battery PSU (which I have yet to try), represents the best value-for-money BY FAR.
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.
Please excuse my lack of knowledge here, I am just getting into the digital business (Mac Mini, Naim Nait XS int amp, Harbeth shl5) . Just need a dac.

Why would one choose to use the usb output from, in my case, the Mac and then insert a spdif converter when you could use the optical out from the Mac direct to the optical input to the dac??? Fewer inter-connects, lower cost.
Clio,

here's my understanding: the clock inside the Mini is not great, and the output has a lot of jitter. This is true both for optical and USB.
If you choose an asynch USB DAC, then the clock that matters is the one inside the DAC and the Mini is slaved to it, eliminating that source of jitter.
The converter would be used if your DAC didn't have a good asynch USB input. Said converter would have asynch USB input and a very good clock, therefore outputting low jitter optical and making the combo Mini + converter a good transport.