I'm intending to purchase one of the Aurender models. I have an opportunity to purchase a friends S10 for approximately the cost of a new X100L model and I am attempting to evaluate if an additional USB-to-SPDIF convertor device (and cost) may be needed to optimize the sound quality of a X100 (or N100) with USB output only, compared to the S10 (with SPDIF and AES outputs)
In theory, should the digitial SPDIF (or AES) output of the S10 Aurender be the ideal digital signal (by avoiding the kluge USB conversion) when your DAC appliance can accept it? I have a Devialet 200 which can accept digital SPDIF, AES or USB.
Intuitively, it seems like SPDIF source to SPDIF destination (or AES to AES) digital signal would be ideal, but also reading about s.o.t.a. product reviews like the Berkeley Reference DAC where the manufacturer (Berkeley) even recommends using their USB-to-SPDIF convertor for optimum sound [with a computer USB digital source] makes me wonder. Maybe the isolation and reclocking processes of a high quality convertor out weigh the kluge USB conversions?
Thanks! Kenreau
Hi Kenreau,
I have a frd who is using Devialet 400 monos and Aurender S10.
He tried the two connection configurations of S10 to D400 and told me that the USB input of Devialet was mediocre. Its spdif digital inputs gave better performance. It may be because the usb-to-spdif circuit of S10 is better than the internal one of Devialet.
BTW the new Audiobyte Hydra-Z DDC is very very good. Adding a linear psu further improves its performance. The price is much lower than the legendary Berkeley Audio DDC.
http://audiobyte.net/products/hydra-z
CK