USB-S/PDIF Converter or USB DAC?


I've decided it's time to use a music server with my main system. I currently use one (iBook) with my headphone system with the Grace m902 headphone amp with built-in USB DAC. I intend to get a new Intel iBook when they are released (March/April).

I currently have an unused Wavelength Audio S/PDIF DAC that I could use with a USB-S/PDIF converter (such as Empirical or Red Wine Audio) or get a USB DAC (WA Brick, Stello, ???). Is a dedicated USB DAC preferred over the hack USB-S/PDIF converter route?
budrew

Showing 3 responses by dmitrydr

What is the maximal reasonable length for USB connection? AFAIK after some length you have to put USB repeaters. It won't distort the data, but it may mess up timing, isn't it?
If any buffering involved, you may have delays resulting in pops and clicks...

So what do you guys do if the distance is more then 5m?
So guys, what about the fact that all known USB DACs use isoncronous data transfer, which makes the major advantages of generic USB: it's bidiretional and the signal is error corrected at both input and output, to lose its value? It works pretty much simlar to SPDIF, and prone to even higher jitter... Why would anyone want it?