Offical 192/24 USB to SPDIF converter for VortexBox

[andrew]

I have been thinking about building a 192/24 capable USB to SPDIF converter for VortexBox. We would use a high quality clock chip and a good power supply. This would make VortexBox into a super high quality audio player and well as a server.

We would build it as a board that could go inside the VortexBox appliance. That way it would still be a very clean looking setup up with no external boxes. We would also sell the board for people building their own units.

The problem is we would need to pay to have this unit developed and there would be a minimum quantity order. Is anybody interested in this?

My initial though is it would be USB in and SPDIF coax out. We would keep costs down by not offering optical and other connecters on the board. Also it would be very easy to install on a home built system because there would only be one round connector (coax) that would go to the outside of the box.

Please post comments on this.

[hitechnology]

I think thats a great idea.

*

One question that everyone will want to know is...how much?

*

Also i would like to see the option of coax or a stereo output. I use stereo outputs to feed whole house audio zones where the controller doesnt not have a digital inoput.

[andrew]

I'm hoping to be able to build this for around $100. I'm not sure that's possible yet. But a lot will depend on how many I can order. The VortexBox appliance already has 3 Analog outputs for 3 different zones so we don't need that.

The idea of this project is to keep it simple. No extra connectors that raise cost and complexity.

[hifihere]

Hi Andrew, what advantage would a USB to SPDIF converter have over a native SPDIF output?* Is there a performance difference?

I am using a unit that has 24/192 SPDIF output with dual clocks without having to convert from USB.

If USB conversion is superior I am all for it.

[sonorejr]

HiFihere, this converter would be an asynchronous type. As such it will control the clock and have better jitter performance compared.

What are you using for a spdif output?

sonorejr*

[andrew]

hifihere said:


Hi Andrew, what advantage would a USB to SPDIF converter have over a native SPDIF output?* Is there a performance difference?

I am using a unit that has 24/192 SPDIF output with dual clocks without having to convert from USB.

If USB conversion is superior I am all for it.



I have never seen a motherboard with 24/192 out. What type of system are you running your VortexBox on? Maybe your using an add-on card of some kind?

[hifihere]

I am using a modified card for SPDIF output.*

If we use an asynchronous converter inside the VB then we will miss the main benefit that occurs when the DAC handles that internally.

"Asynchronous USB essentially turns the computer into a slave device as opposed to adaptive USB which does the opposite. Thus, an asynchronous USB DAC has total control over the timing of the audio. One very important feature of asynchronous USB mode is bidirectional communication between the computer and the DAC. The computer sends audio and the DAC sends commands or instructions for the computer to follow. For example the computer's clock becomes less accurate over a given period of time and can send too much data too quickly and fill up the buffer. Asynchronous DACs will instruct the computer to slow down, thus avoiding any negative effects of a full, or empty, buffer which can manifest itself into audible dropouts and pops or clicks."

The SPDIF link between the VB and the DAC would not be bi-directional so the clock in the USB converter and the clock in the DAC can't sync.* The jitter will be about the same as just using SPDIF without the conversion.

[Falcon Eddie]

Count me in, Andrew.*Any high quality upgrade to the Vortexbox is always welcomed in my opinion. Thanks......

[sonorejr]

hifihere, you should state your quoted source. That said the information is nothing new to us. Anyway, your missing the point of the interface. It's not meant to replace an asynchronous USB DAC. The purpose of the interface is to provide a simple and compatible 24/192 digital output to legacy DACs and to provide digital output to receivers/processors that do not have computer inputs.

I have tested lots of cards....what card are you using?

sonorejr **

[wizardofoz]

count me in too at the right price point