[kyrill]

picture from scootermafia (headfi)

I would like to add as a first -if you do not choose for the firewire format- to output the PC
a very good USB to SPDIF converter and avoid even fancy "high end audio cards"
So start with a recommended converter No particular order, but all are high end, but if you read carefully, some are better than others and there are more than these 10. if they get power from the USB bus (BAD, even filtered unless done so well you have to pay big bucks for it) it can be "easily" modded to have a battery A123 for superb results )

0) Berkley Audio design, may be the new champ (2011) and had a rave review in TAS in an all out setup>400k US dollars. Priced around 1700 US dollars, which would be a steal for that level or purity http://www.berkeleyaudiodesign.com/products5.html

1)MK2/MK3 Boxed M2Tech hiFace Evo USB To S/PDIF Converter  http://www.digitalaudioreview.net.au/index.php/audio-reviews/digital-source-reviews/item/184-j-kenny-modded-m2tech-hiface-mk2

2) M2Tech EVO http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/1110/m2tech_hiface_evo_dac.htm

3) M2Tech HiFace  http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0210/m2tech_hiface_usb.htm

4)Audiophilleo  http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/audiophilleo/1.html

5)Halide bridge http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/1110/m2tech_hiface_evo_dac.htm

6)Wavelength Wavelink  http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=90407.0

7) Art Legato http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/Analog-Reseach-Technologies-ART-Legato-First-impressions

8) Bel Canto USB Link 24/96 http://www.stereophile.com/digitalprocessors/bel_canto_usb_link_2496_usb-spdif_converter

9) The KingRex UC192 http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/kingrex8/1.html

10)  Empirical Audio Off-Ramp http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue45/bpt.htm

11) Audio-GD Digital Interface with separate power supply    http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/500369/audio-gd-digital-interface, http://www.tweak-fi.com/apps/blog/show/5029064-the-usb-to-spdif-shoot-out-review-part-2-teralink-x2-vs-jkeny-s-modified-hiface-vs-audio-gd-digital-interface#comments

12) The Musical Fidelity V-Link   near bottom page http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/Musical-Fidelity-M1DAC-M1HPA-and-V-Link-Async-USB-Converter-Review

13)The Sonic weld Diverter   http://positive-feedback.com/Issue46/ramblings.htm

14)Stello U2  http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/aprilmusic5/u2_2.html 2009

15) Blue Circle Tunnel  http://positive-feedback.com/Issue51/usb_converters.htm

[Alexdad54]

Another very good one is the Audio-GD Digital Interface with separate power supply:
http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/dac/USBface/Digital1EN.htm

Here's a thread on it on Head-Fi: http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/500369/audio-gd-digital-interface

[WGH]

The HagUSB is a good one:
http://www.hagtech.com/hagusb.html

[firedog]

The one review I found comparing the JKenney MK2 hiface to the EVO said the MK2 was better sounding.

BTW Berkeley Audio (of high end DAC fame) is about to come out (supposedly any day now) with a USB converter said to be an original build/design from the ground up, so if you are not in a rush it might be something to wait for.

[Quiet Earth]

This article helped me get some basic things into perspective : http://positive-feedback.com/Issue51/usb_converters.htm

[Johnny2Bad]

The Musical Fidelity V-Link should be added to the list. Note that it does not offer galvanic isolation, and is powered by the USB bus, but seems to perform well regardless. About $170.
http://www.musicalfidelity.com/products/V-Series/V-LINK/v-link.asp

[kyrill]

ok i upgraded the list

this list is based on entree level and up high end standards, that is why i do not include some others like  M-Audio ( I have heard the M-Audio and they are ehh good sounding modern tech devices, not really audiophile) A lot of USB converters not in this list will really do for 90%+ of all the setups out there. But to help you reach the holy grail of listening I would look to this list or future products

[Quiet Earth]

No love for this one ?
http://www.aprilmusic.com/main/sub02_03_02.html

[Alexdad54]

Here's a new one I noticed in a thread on Head-Fi. It's from the folks who brought us the MHDT Havana DAC:

http://dhost.info/mhdtlab/USBridge.htm

US$175 + US$25 shipping.

No reviews yet that I've seen and it is only powered via USB, no separate PS.

[kyrill]

updated the Stello.
the USBridge looks nice especially the two different clocks like M2Tech

I2S, hmm EVO like for 1/3 of the price.. modd it with A123 batteries, 10ps clcks
on paper it looks very convincing

The audiophilleo and the Diverter also gets their power from the USB line..

First I await the reviews

[saisunil]

Thanks for starting the list ...
Really interested in

1)MK2 Boxed M2Tech hiFace Evo USB To S/PDIF Converter 

Wonder how it compares to Tranquility (usb only) through a given dac - say maxmini ...

Would be easier to justify computer as a transport through a MacBook Pro instead of a dedicated mac mini ... unless of course the performance difference is huge ...

[kyrill]

Hi saisunil
There is an unofficial division in forums between mac/apple and PC as a source.
Here it develops? more into a PC kind of thing

the mac/apple is more handled in the The HiRez Music Circle although there is a dedicated "The Apple Core"forum

at least my impression

[ttan98]

Kyrill,

Well done, almost a complete list to help the potential buyers. I like to add another one from Musiland 02 US, refer to this site:
http://www.musiland.com.cn/index.php/Product/show/id/137

You can purchase it from Ebay, it acts as either a DAC with headphone outputs or  USB with output SPDIF , accepting USB input up to 24/192 kbit/s.

I bought one and I am very happy with it for about US$100-$120. Ideal for student who wants good sound at a relatively low cost.

[kyrill]

Hi Tttan

I need reviews, it may be a nice sounding unit, but the list aims more at (entree level) high end.
I start  reading nice info about the Mhdt Interface, very interesting

[ttan98]

Try this mini review here:

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/491310/help-finding-a-usb-dac-adc-is-192-24-possible

[kyrill]

i cannot add the Musiland on 3 grounds unless facts  "on the ground" change
1)  most important it seems to lack a proper KS* driver, in tests i can only see asio drivers mentioned
2) no real reviews of well known magazines. I know most of them rather do not post a review rather then publishing soem mediocre or bad one,
3) I saw the jitter figures ( around 100ps and a bit less and that you will not appreciate)  of its brother Musiland 01US ( same one only  filters the USB bus for its power, it is unthinkable that the 02 will lower the figures more than 40-50) )

*My advice NEVER use ASIO drivers anymore, it is completely nulled out with the combination KS and Jplay ( Jplay is a windows program to improve the USB out sound of the PC see Jplay discussion on audiocircles) Could be a reason to develop something like Jplay for Apple/Mac

Added a possible new champ the 1700 $ Berkeley Audio see place 0) I have great trust reading the reviews for more than 18 years of Harry Pearson, Robert Hartley and Anthony H. Cordesman. The Berkley was tested by Robert .

It makes me wanting to buy the The Alpha over my Kenny's MK2 of course the MK@ is a fraction of the price and will cover 75+% of the Berkely
The Berkely will have much better clocks and therefore considerable lower jitter and I expect SOTA pws to power them