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Title: async NOS1 with USB - I2S converter Post by: esimms86 on October 16, 2011, 03:45:53 am I have an async Phasure NOS1 coming home tomorrow(!) and was wondering about potentially using a USB to I2S converter or, less likely, a Berkeley Alpha USB converter. Options include the exau21 usb-i2s(430 USD) or the Empirical Audio Off Ramp 4(799 USD with mulitple options that can potentially double the cost). A Twisted Pear USB - I2S converter looms on the horizon but there's not telling when that product will make it into production. The Berkeley USB - SPDIF device has gotten at least one great review(in Absolute Sound) but it's expensive, plus I'm a bit leary about going the USB to SPDIF route when USB to I2S is credited as the preferred way to go, and is also future-proof or as close to future proof as one can come in the PC to DAC world. I'd be interested to hear the thoughts of other async NOS1 owners. Much thanks for reading.
Esau P.S. - I'm also also seriously looking at the Sotm USB filter and the ESI Juli@ card to be included in an i7 hexacore custom PC build. Title: Re: async NOS1 with USB - I2S converter Post by: PeterSt on October 16, 2011, 07:24:00 am Hi Esau,
Personally I wonder whether you wil get any answers upon ... what ?? The NOS1 connects through USB and internally it goes to i2s without further conversions. You don't need an additional thing. No Juli@ anywhere either. Let us now whether something is still totally unclear ! Peter Title: Re: async NOS1 with USB - I2S converter Post by: manisandher on October 16, 2011, 03:35:27 pm I'd be interested to hear the thoughts of other async NOS1 owners. Hi Esau. I don't have much to add other than all you need is a PC with a USB port! I prefer the sound of the NOS1 connected to the SOtM card - especially with the power switch of the SOtM card in the 'off' position (the NOS1 is still recognized at boot-up). But this is very much 'personal taste territory'. Mani. Title: Re: async NOS1 with USB - I2S converter Post by: esimms86 on October 16, 2011, 05:24:01 pm Thanks Peter and Mani. I think it's genius to convert USB to I2S seemlessly inside the DAC. I haven't heard one but I can't imagine that a Berkeley Alpha USB to SPDIF converter should even be able to come close. I'll have to first see how the async NOS1 sounds without the SOtm card before I go throwing money around looking for an improvement in sound quality. I'm really looking forward to hooking up the DAC to my system and listening to some classic folk and rock CD rips.
Esau |