[audioengr]

We are initially offering three versions to determine what price-point and performance audiophiles are interested in:

USB Off-Ramp - $800 - (Superclock2 & external power supply)
USB Freeway - $500 - (External power supply)
USB Expressway - $350

Here are some features in common with the three USB converters:

- USB to S/PDIF Coaxial converters
- Based upon the M-Audio Transit board
- All have lower jitter than the stock Transit converter
- AES/EBU versions also available for Off-Ramp and Freeway.
- Each has a short S/PDIF coaxial cable permanently attached with strain-relief
- Each comes with a software driver
- Each comes with an 8 foot USB cable
- All will pass 16/44.1kHz, 24/96kHz, MP3, AC3 and iTunes unmodified files
- All three USB converters will outperform the best Transports you can buy, particularly with 24/96kHz or iTunes playback.
- No other cables required, just a PC with a USB 1.1 or 2.0 interface and a DAC with a coaxial S/PDIF input.

The Transit is not recommended for use with Apple computers at this time.

The playback with these converters is no less than amazing, particularly with 24/96 or iTunes. Using the computer to do the upsampling seems to be far superior to using hardware. No Transport can even come close to this playback quality, IMO. Much more focused, sibilant-free and more dynamic. The best players, Foobar2000 and iTunes player are available as free downloads and the ripper of choice, EAC, is also a free download. The links for these are listed on our website.

Here is the USB Off-Ramp:




Included is the Software driver CDROM, 8 foot USB cable and a universal AC adapter (all voltages)

Read more about these USB converters on the "Computer Audio" page of our website:

http://www.empiricalaudio.com

[StevenACNJ]

I have a question for you.

I understand that you are modifying the M-Audio USB card with better caps, low jitter clocks, etc., but, in general, is USB out to coax digital  a better way to go than the PCI buss out to coax digital?

Perhaps you could explain this.

Thanks

[audioengr]

I have a question for you.

I understand that you are modifying the M-Audio USB card with better caps, low jitter clocks, etc., but, in general, is USB out to coax digital  a better way to go than the PCI buss out to coax digital?

Perhaps you could explain this.

Thanks

Yes, when you use USB instead of a PCI with S/PDIF out there are a number of benefits, including:

1) Isolation from the PC ground
2) Not using the power supply in the PC
3) Not using the clock in the PC or on the PCI card
4) The S/PDIF cable can be very short (less than 1 foot)

[Barry]

A few questions regarding USB products

Is it available for 220V AC main?
Would it be even better if it is powered by battery instead?

[audioengr]

A few questions regarding USB products

Is it available for 220V AC main?

Would it be even better if it is powered by battery instead?

Yes, It works with 220VAC

It is possible to power it from battery.  It has a 12VDC input just for this purpose (this is what the AC adapter provides), however there is no charging circuit for a battery.  This would have to be a separate charging device.

[Barry]

It is great that off-ramp using superclock II.  

For the Expressway and Freeway, did you modify the clock or changing it to better component?

[Barry]

Got one more question.

I'm using Benchmark DAC1 (no mod).   If I have the USB Off-Ramp, it got superclock, and I think DAC1 will grap this clock and sync with it.   Is it better to buy the top model USB Off-ramp instead of saving the money to mod the Benchmark DAC1?

[audioengr]

It is great that off-ramp using superclock II.  

For the Expressway and Freeway, did you modify the clock or changing it to better component?

Actually it's Superclock3 now.  For Expressway and Freeway I use the existing crystal, but I improve the PLL filtering and power supply.

[audioengr]

Got one more question.

I'm using Benchmark DAC1 (no mod).   If I have the USB Off-Ramp, it got superclock, and I think DAC1 will grap this clock and sync with it.   Is it better to buy the top model USB Off-ramp instead of saving the money to mod the Benchmark DAC1?

Mods to the Benchmark are very effective IMO and independent of the Off-Ramp.  The Jitter into the Benchmark still makes a difference.  Lower is better.  

However, if you want to optimize both right now, I would recommend the Freeway and the Benchmark mods.  This will get you the best overall sound for the least money (compared to the Off-Ramp and the stock Benchmark).

[Ernest]

I'm interested in using one of these products between my iBook and my Analog Research Segue DAC.  Currently I use a M-Audio Soncia, but with it I've noticed something that disturbs me, and I am wondering if your products would do the same thing.  Basically, the Sonica is providing an optical digital output, which I assumed would be just the raw bits.  But I can adjust the volume and use the equalizer inside iTunes!  I don't want that.  I want a raw data stream going to the DAC.  What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks,

Ernest

[Bemopti123]

Which model is called "Transit" and as I have read, if all your converters are compatible with the Apple Itunes, PC version, then, why can these converters be used with Apple computers?  Can you explain the technical reason behind this?  

BTW:  I am getting myself an Apple Mini soon, and I thought that for practical purposes, an USB is an USB, regardless of the OS of the connection computer.  

Paul

[audioengr]

Which model is called "Transit" and as I have read, if all your converters are compatible with the Apple Itunes, PC version, then, why can these converters be used with Apple computers?  Can you explain the technical reason behind this?  

BTW:  I am getting myself an Apple Mini soon, and I thought that for practical purposes, an USB is an USB, regardless of the OS of the connection computer.  

Paul

The M-Audio Transit board and drivers are the basis for the Off-Ramp and Freeway.

The converters can be used with Apple computers.  The S/W drivers are different, so I am in the process of determining any differences in sound quality.

[Bemopti123]

So, I will be able to use the Off ramp and the Freeway, with a Mac, right?

But, I am still puzzled, what is the S/W you were refering to?

[audioengr]

So, I will be able to use the Off ramp and the Freeway, with a Mac, right?

But, I am still puzzled, what is the S/W you were refering to?

Yes, you can use the Off-Ramp with a MAC.

The S/W is the driver for the USB device (the Transit).  Different drivers for PC and each different OS on MAC.

[Ernest]

I think a question I asked got lost in the shuffle.  Would you mind looking back to the end of the first page of posts?

Thanks,

Ernest

[audioengr]

I'm interested in using one of these products between my iBook and my Analog Research Segue DAC.  Currently I use a M-Audio Soncia, but with it I've noticed something that disturbs me, and I am wondering if your products would do the same thing.  Basically, the Sonica is providing an optical digital output, which I assumed would be just the raw bits.  But I can adjust the volume and use the equalizer inside iTunes!  I don't want that.  I want a raw data stream going to the DAC.  What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks,

Ernest

I use iTunes as well as Foobar on my PC laptop.  All you need to do is turn-off all DSP functions of iTunes, including the equalizer. Go to preferences and then the Audio tab and uncheck all of the boxes and then check " disable volume control to external speakers".  Then bring up the equalizer adn uncheck to disable it.

Steve N.