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Reducing PC Jitter

Hi Everyone.

It is my understanding that (1) one of the issues w/ obtainig good music sound from a computer is jitter and (2) there is more jitter with a USB out than w/ optical or coax out.

In reading this and other Forums and articles in the zines (both hard copy and on-line), it appears to me that to address jitter, especially w/ USB out, one needs a high end USB DAC w/ internal jitter reduction (like starting with the $3000 Bel Canto DAC3 and moving up to the over $8000 range like Wavelenght and Empirical). Or, one could use a "cheap" DAC in the $200 to $500 range (w/o much jitter reduction)in conjunction with a USB to coax and/or optical converter which also has jitter reduction capabiltiy (like a Monarchy DIP ($250 to $300), the new Bel Canto USB Link ($495), an Empirical Off-Ramp 3 w/Superclock4 ($999 to $1425) or an Altmann JISCO ($500 if you can find one).

The most I can spend in 2009 on a solution for USB to analog preamp connection is $500. I see my choices as either:
> a $500 USB DAC, or
> a Monarchy DIP ( I have an inexpensive Behringer USB to optical converter to connect to a DIP) plus a $200 DAC.

Alternatively, I can limp along for a year and save up for either (1) the Off-Ramp3 plus a $500 DAC or (2)a $1500 USB DAC that has decent jitter reduction.

Any advice would be appreciated.
mmarvin19
audioguru1
19 posts
 
Go for a trends 10.1 it has very very very low jitter so low that I sold my GWLabs up-sampling jitter filter.... did not add anything, in fact it added artifacts with the extra cables etc.

For a dac, I would look into the musiland md10 or something like that... I have been using one and am pretty happy, there are also a few NOS options
mmarvin19 OP
157 posts
 
Thank you all for your replies.

Shadorne - I will take a look at the HeadFi thread although I think I already read it awhile back and did not understand it very well.

Audioguru1 - By conincidence, I will be receiving a Musiland MD10 DAC next week from Pacific Valve. I up-swappwd my Giga Lab USB Moon Dac.

I already have the Trends 10.1 Lite literature printed out from thier web site. Their price is $140 w/ the optional 12v charger. What cable are you using to connect the Trends to the MD10?
ehider
286 posts
 
As for your assumption #2 - that there "is more jitter" from the USB connection that is NOT correct. A properly designed USB D/A converter ELIMINATES up to half a dozen jitter sources as compared to any SPDIF connection, optical or electrical. Amazing sounding USB connectivity is one of the MAJOR sonic advancements we are now starting to discover with properly designed server / USB connected DACs - where SPDIF optical or electrical will sound much less analog comparably (think of any SDIF connection as much more two dimensional and artificial). If you are looking for a DAC that has better "sonic fluidity" and more realistic harmonic overtones typical of the master tape or a great analog rig, USB connectivity from the server to the DAC will typically be a common denominator in achieving this goal.
mmarvin19 OP
157 posts
 
FYI: Unsucessfully tried to find someplace I could buy the UD-10 Lite. Found one place that sells the regular UD-10, but not with the 12v wall wart. Another place had the UD-10
w/ wall wart for $216 incl. shipping.

Audio Advisor selling the Monarchy DSP Combo for $248 incl. shipping. Tough choice.
jeffkad
211 posts
 
What did you wind up doing?
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