IÂd say ÂYes indeedÂ. There should be an audible diff applying either into your system.
Are you sure you want to spend that much for the conversion of USB to SPDIF though?
Both are reputable for sure, and both are IMO, costly converters.
Thought about using a Hiface, or sound card instead?
Any or either of these might just suit your system and/or budget, saving money in as well.
As I understand it, converting to SPDIF enables you to achieve those HD tracks with sampling rates above 96KHz. Otherwise itÂs my understanding that is the ceiling using only USB..
So far, in my own exp, IÂve been able to discern easily, the diffs from inexpensive sound cards <$250 Â 400; the Hiface 24/192KHz; and most recently the Lynx AES 16E sound card using a Gotham cable.. All fed my Bel Canto DAC 3. In order each one brought a different perspective of the music and itÂs own inherent issues or advantages.
Even the cable connecting the converter/interface to the DAC made audible diffs and eventually gains.
I personally couldnÂt justify upwards of $1500-2000 for the conversion interface . hence the Lynx vs the Offramp. $500 +/- vs $1,000 +.
Everything matters in the signal chain room etc. In pc the DAC is the main bit. But again, everything matters. Just how much is always the question. IÂve no doubt choosing SteveÂs solution or GordonÂs, not necessarily in that order, will be able to yield a different sound than you are getting now IÂd suspect it/them to be better too. How much though I doubt anyone can accurately indicate here.
Were I to make another step up from where I am currently, it would very likely be to go an altogether different path for converting pc audio to analog. IÂd also be inclined to lessen those devices in the signal chain if possible. IÂd probably opt for some direct USB to ???? or 1394 to ??? converter. Rather than fooling around with adding more clocks and cabling . Or by merely exchanging out my DAC.
But thatÂs just me. If I can simplify the signal process by reducing items in it, I feel IÂm improving signal integrity or at least removing other problem areas from arising. IÂm reducing costs and usually am elevating the sound quality in the process.
Once I found the right cable to attach my stock Hiface BNC to my DAC, I was a pretty happy camper. I had no real bug to step up from there. I did so only to satisfy my curiosity about the Lynx card as I could find no recent account of how its influence on the signal affected the sound. So I got one just to satisfy my curiosity as to all the hype I saw about it/them online, and especially at CA.
For $350 Â 500 depending on the model and condition, itÂs a decided step up from anything priced below it, IMHO, which converts the pc ausdio output to other than USB.
ThatÂs it though. Above $550 and then add in the cost of another cable and IÂd not feel good about itÂs value at all IOW itÂs bang for buck.
Lastly, some folks are using one for their interface to $6K DACs too, so thereÂs something to think about and I can see why now.
I also see those rigs that run firewire or USB right into a DAC/preamp/controller stand alone units which then feed some pricey downstream products.
So pick your path and apply money liberally . Depending on that roads tolls.
Different abounds! Better is about as subjectively plentiful, and the system itself is the only real limiter, as to what degree of change is going to be revealed.
Are you sure you want to spend that much for the conversion of USB to SPDIF though?
Both are reputable for sure, and both are IMO, costly converters.
Thought about using a Hiface, or sound card instead?
Any or either of these might just suit your system and/or budget, saving money in as well.
As I understand it, converting to SPDIF enables you to achieve those HD tracks with sampling rates above 96KHz. Otherwise itÂs my understanding that is the ceiling using only USB..
So far, in my own exp, IÂve been able to discern easily, the diffs from inexpensive sound cards <$250 Â 400; the Hiface 24/192KHz; and most recently the Lynx AES 16E sound card using a Gotham cable.. All fed my Bel Canto DAC 3. In order each one brought a different perspective of the music and itÂs own inherent issues or advantages.
Even the cable connecting the converter/interface to the DAC made audible diffs and eventually gains.
I personally couldnÂt justify upwards of $1500-2000 for the conversion interface . hence the Lynx vs the Offramp. $500 +/- vs $1,000 +.
Everything matters in the signal chain room etc. In pc the DAC is the main bit. But again, everything matters. Just how much is always the question. IÂve no doubt choosing SteveÂs solution or GordonÂs, not necessarily in that order, will be able to yield a different sound than you are getting now IÂd suspect it/them to be better too. How much though I doubt anyone can accurately indicate here.
Were I to make another step up from where I am currently, it would very likely be to go an altogether different path for converting pc audio to analog. IÂd also be inclined to lessen those devices in the signal chain if possible. IÂd probably opt for some direct USB to ???? or 1394 to ??? converter. Rather than fooling around with adding more clocks and cabling . Or by merely exchanging out my DAC.
But thatÂs just me. If I can simplify the signal process by reducing items in it, I feel IÂm improving signal integrity or at least removing other problem areas from arising. IÂm reducing costs and usually am elevating the sound quality in the process.
Once I found the right cable to attach my stock Hiface BNC to my DAC, I was a pretty happy camper. I had no real bug to step up from there. I did so only to satisfy my curiosity about the Lynx card as I could find no recent account of how its influence on the signal affected the sound. So I got one just to satisfy my curiosity as to all the hype I saw about it/them online, and especially at CA.
For $350 Â 500 depending on the model and condition, itÂs a decided step up from anything priced below it, IMHO, which converts the pc ausdio output to other than USB.
ThatÂs it though. Above $550 and then add in the cost of another cable and IÂd not feel good about itÂs value at all IOW itÂs bang for buck.
Lastly, some folks are using one for their interface to $6K DACs too, so thereÂs something to think about and I can see why now.
I also see those rigs that run firewire or USB right into a DAC/preamp/controller stand alone units which then feed some pricey downstream products.
So pick your path and apply money liberally . Depending on that roads tolls.
Different abounds! Better is about as subjectively plentiful, and the system itself is the only real limiter, as to what degree of change is going to be revealed.