USB-DAC

A very flexible solution is a USB-DAC as almost any PC offers USB.

Using a USB DAC you don't need a sound card at all.
If you use a laptop this is probably the way to go if you want to improve on the onboard sound card.

 

Most USB-DAC's accept 16 bit/32kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz

Some accept 24 bit/96 kHz

Very few support sample rates bigger than 96 kHz. Simply because in this case you have to write your own USB audio driver for the PC as all native mode USB audio drivers are limited to 96 kHz. The new USB audio 2 standard (spring 2009) supports 176/192 but as far as I know it is not implemented in Linux, OSX or Win yet.

 

Redbook audio (CD) is 16 bits/44.1 kHz.
Makes you wonder why you need a 24 bit DAC.
However, more and more websites offers recording in the original bit depth and this is 24 bits most of the time.

Recordings are in general made with a higher sample rate than 44.1, 88.2 and 96 kHz are very common.

 

24 bit/192 kHz upsampling
Lot’s of people think this spec applies to the USB input too only to find out they get no sound at all when playing high res recording in their native format.
24 bit/192 kHz upsampling is about the way the input is treated internally.
This has nothing to do with the accepted input over the USB.
If there is no explicit information about the capabilities of the USB input, you better assume it is limited to 16/48.

 

Will playing 16 bits sources on a 24 DAC affect sound quality?
Very unlikely, all what is done is padding 8 zero’s too the 16 bits to make it a 24 bit word.
In fact there might even be a benefit, if you apply digital volume control, you can chop off these eight zero’s (48 dB reduction) without loosing resolution.

 

More on USB audio can be found here.

Configuring USB audio can he found here.

 

A clear and well written step by step guide to setup and USB DAC using XP, Vista or OSX can be found at the Ayre website.

24 bit USB DAC's

Antelope Zodiac $1500.00

  • High-definition 192kHz Digital-to-analog converter
  • Antelope Oven-controlled clock with ultra-low jitter
  • 64-bit Acoustically Focused Clocking, as used in Antelope Audio Trinity
  • 129dB dynamic range
  • 2 x S/PDIF digital inputs
  • 2 x Optical TOSLINK
  • 24/96 USB (the Zodiac+ model offers 24/192)
  • High-grade Headphone outputs with impedance matching
  • Balanced and unbalanced analog outputs
  • Accurate level display for main volume

Ayre QB-9 $2500

Digital input: Asynchronous USB up to 24/96

A upgrade to 24/192 will be available end 2009. This require an operating system supporting Class 2.0 USB audio.

 

Analog output: RCA (1 pair), balanced XLR (1 pair).

Benchmark USB DAC 1 $1275.-

 

Digital input:

  • USB, Optical, Coaxial, AES/EBU(XLR)
  • Input Sample Frequency Range: 28 to 195 kHz
  • Maximum Input Word Length: 24 bits
  • Advanced USB™ computer audio interface for native 24-bit/96-kHz USB audio
  • Compatible with Windows Vista/XP/2000 and Mac OS X without driver installation

Analog output: balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA)

 

A discussion between forum members and Elias Gwinn of Benchmark Media systems can be found here.

dCS Scarlatti upsampler with USB € 10.900,-

Digital input:

USB2.0 interface on a B-type connector. Operates in asynchronous mode.

AES3 on a 3-pin female XLR connector.

4x SPDIF on 2x RCA Phono, 1x BNC connectors and 1x TosLink optical connector.

All digital inputs will accept PCM data at up to 24 bit PCM at 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2 or 96kS/s.

Data from any input may be converted to 24 bit PCM at 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 or 192kS/s or DSD (1 bit data at 2.822MS/s). The output sample rate must be equal to or greater than the input sample rate.

 

Digital output:

IEEE 1394 interface on 2x 6-way connectors. In DSD mode, the interface outputs dCS-encrypted DSD (1 bit data at 2.822MS/s).

2x AES3 on 3-pin female XLR connectors. Each outputs 24 bit PCM at 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2 or 96kS/s,
OR as a Dual AES pair at 88.2, 96, 176.4 or 192kS/s.

2x SPDIF on RCA Phono and BNC connectors. Each outputs 24 bit PCM at 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2 or 96kS/s.

1x SDIF-2 interface on 2x BNC connectors, outputs 24 bit PCM at 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2 or 96kS/s.

 

It is a upsampler so you still need a DAC for the conversion to analogue. Well, they have one:

Scarlatti D/A-Converter € 18.900,-

At € 29.800,- you have a USB DAC.

If you decide to synchronize the two with a Scarlatti Master Clock: add € 8.500.

HRT Musicstreamer Pro

USB: 24 bits 96 kHz

Full support for both adaptive and asynchronous transfer modes.

Balanced output (Tini Q)

E-MU 0404 USB 2.0 $ 199.99

  • 24-bit/192kHz A/D and D/A converters
  • Two 1/4" Balanced Outputs (117dB SNR)
  • Stereo 1/8" Speaker Output (117dB SNR)
  • 24-bit/96kHz S/PDIF Optical and coaxial In/Out (switchable to AES/EBU)
  • MIDI Input/Output
  • Stereo Headphone Output (114dB SNR)

 

One of the very few DAC's accepting 24/192 over USB. You need to install the custom USB driver to do so.

 

MUSILAND Monitor 01 US $82.00

  • Max Sampling rate: 24Bit/192khz
  • analogy audio jack: RCA output, 3.5mm headphone output
  • analogy output frequency response（20Hz-20kHz）: +/-0.1dB
  • analogy s/n rate:113dB
  • analogy dynamic range:113dB
  • analogy distortion:0.005%
  • Headphone output power(100 ohm):50MW
  • digital audio port:optical port
  • digital s/n:140dB
  • digital dynamic range:140dB
  • PCM 1793 D/A chip
  • S/PDIF output
  • ASIO drive,support:Windows XP/ VISTA /Windows7

The Monitor 01 USD comes without the headphone out.

One of the few USB DAC's supporting 24/192.

Available on eBay.

Some comment by Thorsten

Tascam US-144 $269.00

  • 2 XLR mic inputs with phantom power
  • S/PDIF Digital Input & Output 4 in, 4 out operation (analog, S/PDIF)
  • 2 analog line inputs (1 switchable to high impedance for use with guitars, basses, etc.)
  • 1 MIDI input,
  • 1 MIDI output USB 2.0 equipped (also supports USB 1.1) Up to 24-bit/96kHz for high quality recordings
  • Zero-latency hardware monitoring
  • Separate headphone output & level controls
  • Bus powered for use with any PC or Mac, including laptops

Wavelength

 

All models are using asynchronous USB.

 

Brick V2 $1750,-

16/44.1 NOS (Non oversampling) DAC (TDA1543N2)

12AU7A/ECC82 output tube

Analog output: RCA

 

The Crimson and the Cosecant are available with the same TDA1543N2 or a Wolfson DAC.

In the latter case the USB support 24 bits/96 kHz

 

The Crimson is planned to have a ESS Sabre DAC.

 

 

Now, for the first time ever, Wavelength Audio has developed Asynchronous Mode USB Audio. This means the computer is controlled by the USB DAC. No longer is the tail wagging the dog. Instead, an ultra-low-jitter audio master clock located in the DAC controls the audio transfer rate from the computer. Jitter is reduced by a factor of greater than 100 times! What's more, this is accomplished using the standard USB drivers (Windows or MacIntosh) for easy plug-and-play installation. Now the convenience of computer-based audio is combined with the lowest possible jitter.

Source: Wavelength

16 bit USB DAC's

DAC are listed in this section because the manufacturer states that it is a 16 bit DAC or the manufacturer is completely unclear about bit depth and sample rate supported so it probably is 16 bits/ 48kHz.

Silverstone EB01 $89.99

USB: 32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz

HRT Musicstreamer $90,-

Texas Instruments PCM1744

USB: 16 bits/48 kHz

 

MusicStreamer+ $249.95

TI DAC PCM1794

USB: 16 bits/48 kHz

 

Fubar IV $347.00

192 kHz Upsampling DAC / Headphone Amp with USB and S/PDIF inputs.

 

  • USB input - Play music directly from your computer via USB. Requires no addition software or drivers (16/48)
  • S/PDIF inputs - The Fubar 4 has inputs for both Digital Coax and Optical. A hi-end 24 Bit 96kHz DAC lets you listen to to your high definition downloads in the full resolution. You can also connect your CD and DVD player or any device with a digital output
  • Headphone Output - connect your favorite headphones to the 1/4" (6.4mm) headphone jack.
  • Gain Switch - The External gain switch lets you optimize the Fubar 4 Plus output for your headphones. Compatible with 32 - 600 Ohm headphones
  • 192 kHz Upsampling - lets you enjoy a more life-like, natural presentation
  • RCA Outputs - Using the Gold Plated RCA outputs you can connect the Fubar 4 Plus to your home stereo for playback over speakers
  • Volume Control: Controls headphone output level and doubles as a pre amp volume control for the RCA Outputs
  • Changeable OpAmps: The OPA2604 OpAmp in the headphone amplifier section is changable allowing you to try the various OpAmps available
  • Choice of Colors: Available in your choice of Black and Silver face plates

 

Beresford TC-7520 £149.99

Inputs: USB/COAX/TOSLINK SPDIF: 24bit/96kHz

USB: 16/48

 

Seperate re-clocking circuits for USB and SPDIF

Output: line, class A head- and pre-amp.

 

Trends UD-10 USB Audio Converter €179,-

USB 16 bits/ 32, 44.1, 48 kHz PCM

DAC: Burr Brown PCM2704.


Output: headphone out

Digital out: Optical, Coax (RCA and BNC) and XLR.

Pro-Ject USB Box $159.00

A/D converter 16-Bit Delta Sigma

Sampling rate 44,1kHz

Devilsound $279

USB: 16-bit / 32, 44.1, 48 kHz

DAC: non-oversampling (NOS). Audio playback occurs at the recorded frequency (), with no resampling, upsampling, or oversampling.

 

Output: RCA

ARX Audiobox USB DI-VC - $250,-

USB: 16/48

Out: XLR (transformer balanced)

Volume control

 

 

Cambridge Audio DacMagic $399

32 bit Texas Instruments Digital Signal Processor (DSP)

DAC: Twin Wolfson WM8740

 

Digital input:

2x S/PDIF (coax & Toslink)

USB input connects direct to PC without drivers

 

Digital input word widths supported: 16 -24bit (16 bit for USB)
Digital input sampling frequencies supported: 32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz.
USB input

16 bits / 44.1,48kHz
Audio output up-sampling: Fixed 24bit/192kHz

 

Output

Analog: RCA/XLR

Digital: 1x S/PDIF (coax & /Toslink)

Cord Chordette Gem € 549,-

Digital input

  • Blue Tooth supporting A2DP Stereo Audio
  • USB input

 

Sampling rate: 44kHz – 96kHz

 

Analog output: RCA

Hegel HD10 € 1000,-

  • Digital inputs: 2*coaxial, 1*optical and 1*USB
  • USB 16 bits/48 kHz
  • Line outputs: 1 pair of XLR balanced, 1 pair of RCA unbalanced
  • Frequency response: 0 Hz to 50 KHz
  • Phase response: Linear Phase Analogue filter
  • Noise floor: Minus 140 dB
  • Distortion: Less than 0,001 %
  • Power supply: Built-in torodial transformer, 30.000 uF capacitors

PS Audio Digital Link III $995.00

 

Digital input

  • Optical input
  • Coaxial input
  • USB input

DAC

  • TI PCM1798 balanced DAC
  • 24 Bit / 192 kHz upsampling

Analog output:

Class A discrete FET based output stage

Balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA)

Aqvox USB 2 D/A MKII - € 1000,-

Upsampling: 24 bit/192 kHz

Fully balanced design

 

Digital input:

  • AES/EBU:
    16kHz, 32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz at 16bit / 24bit
  • COAX input
    16, 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 at 16bit / 24bit
  • TOSlink input
    16, 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96 ( sometimes up to 176.4 and 192kHz) at 16bit / 24bit
  • USB - INput and OUTput
    16, 32, 44.1, 48, at 16bit

Dual Mono DAC (2 x Burr Brown PCM1796)
USB-Codec: Texas-Instruments PCM2906 Transceiver

Analog output:

Single ended Class A amplifiers

balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA)

 

Digital output: COAX, TOS, AES/EBU-Input are routed to the USB-output (up to 48kHz/16bit).


CEC DA53 € 1200,-

 

Digital input: USB, Optical, Coaxial, AES/EBU(XLR)

 

Analog output: balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA)

April Music Stello DA220MK2 $1,650

  • Supports up to 24Bit/192kHz upsampling
  • Sampling Rate Selectable: Bypass, 48kHz, 96kHz, 192kHz
  • True 24Bit Delta-Sigma DAC
  • 4 Digital input (1 AES/EBU, 1 Coaxial, 1 Coaxial or USB selectable, 1 Toslink)
  • 3 Digital Outputs (1 AES/EBU, 1 Coaxial, 1 Toslink)
  • 2 Analog Outputs: 1 Balanced Output (XLR) & 1 Unbalanced Output (RCA)
  • Full Balanced Class A Operation Analog Stage

Bryston BDA 1 $ 2000,-

32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176, 192K sampling

Digital input:

USB (1), COAX (2), OPTICAL (2),AES-EBU (1) BNC (2)

 

Sample rates: 16-24Bit PCM, 16Bit 32K-48K USB

 

Analog output: balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA)



Bel Canto e.One DAC3 $2495

 

Digital input (5): AES/EBU (XLR), S/PDIF (BNC, RCA, TosLink), USB.

Sample rates: 32–96kHz (S/PDIF, AES/EBU), 32kHz–48kHz (USB).

Analog output: RCA (1 pair), balanced XLR (1 pair).

BD-Design € 2.769,-

Digital input: Asynchronous USB

No oversampling and no analog or digital filter

16bit @ 44.1kHz WAV/ FLAC only

Analog output: RCA (1 pair)

Chord QBD76 £ 3000,-

 

Digital input:
2 x SP/DIF BNC Coax
2 x AES Balanced XLR Input
2 x Plastic fibre optic ( TOSlink )
1 x USB ( B type )
1 x Bluetooth supporting A2DP Stereo Audio

 

Sample frequencies 32kHz – 96kHz Single Cable,
176kHz & 192kHz Dual Cable ( Dual data mode )

Random master clock jitter of less than 3pS cycle to cycle


Analog output: 2 X RCA / 2 X balanced (XLR)

©Vincent Kars