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The Well-Tempered Computer

An introduction to computer audio

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Portable media players

24 bit Adaptive mode USB DACs

When I started with this list in 2008, high quality DACs with USB input were rare.
Adaptive mode USB with 24 bits / 96 kHz was the best one could get.
Today almost all new offerings comes with asynchronous USB often up to 24/192.
I wouldn’t recommend to buy an adaptive mode USB DAC

The information below is as supplied by the manufacturer's website.

Antelope Zodiac+ EUR 2.195

Custom USB chip streams audio up to 24/192kHz,
Zodiac Gold up to 384 kHz
USB audio class 2 - (96 kHz max on Windows)
Antelope Oven Clock for supreme stability
64-bit Acoustically Focused Clocking (AFC)
129dB Dynamic Range
THD+N: 0.0004%
Ultra Linear, Dual Stage Headphone Amps
De-jittered, re-clocked Digital Audio Outputs
Precision Trim Pots for Balanced Analog Outs
Accurate Level Display for Main Volume
Mute (soft dim & full mute)
Mono summing function

Connections:

AES/EBU Digital Input
2x S/PDIF coaxial Inputs
2x Optical TOSLINK inputs
USB on mini B type connector
Word Clock Input on BNC
Balanced Analog Outputs on XLR
Unbalanced Analog Outputs on RCA
Balanced Analog Inputs on 1/4” TRS
Unbalanced Analog Inputs on RCA
Digital Outputs on AES/EBU and S/PDIF

On the internet they say the unit is asynchronous USB but to my knowledge this has never been confirmed by the manufacturer.

So I asked Antelope. This is their answer.

The Zodiac can do both USB Full Speed and High Speed.
Is High Speed USB audio class 2 compliant?

Yes it is on UH2 mode only on the Zodiac Gold.The classes are as following:

UF1 Full Speed Audio Class 1 up to 96kHz Win-MACOSX-Linux
UH1 High Speed Audio Class 1 up to 192kHz Win-MACOSX-Linux
UH2 High Speed Audio Class 2 up to 384kHz MACOSX-Linux and only on Zodiac Gold

What is the synchronization mode used for the USB in both cases?

This has not implemented yet.

What chip set is used for the USB receiver?

ISP150781HM With custom USB peripherals

HiFi News reviewed this DAC in august 2011.

It failed to pass a couple of their measurement test.

HiFi News august 2011

Audiotrak PRODIGY CUBE - USD 99.00

DAC and AD converter with

- volume control

- dual headphone output

- socketed Opamps

Analog-Out	Line output (RCA), Dual headphone output (Stereo phone, Stereo mini)
Analog Input	Microphone Input (3.5mm, 24bit / 48kHz)
Digital Output	Optical / Coaxial
Digital Output Method	PCM, AC3 PassThrough
Dynamic Range	108dB
Interface	USB Interface (1.1 / 2.0 compatible)
OPAMP Circuit	OPA 2134 x 1 (Socket-type) THD+N : 0.00008%(Max)(2kΩ@1KHz)
D/A Converter	Wolfson WM8776
Headphone Impedance	16∼150Ω
Frequency Response	24bit / 96kHz
Power Supply OPAMP	5V(Dual power supply Max10V)
Power Supply	USB bus power
OS	Support Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Mac OS-X Note: The Pass-through Digital output is available to Windows Vista(SP1) and Mac OS-X only.
Dimension (mm)	94 X 90 X 22 (W x D x H)

Audiotrak DR.DAC2 DX - USD 329.00

DAC and AD converter with

- volume control

- dual headphone output

- socketed Opamps

Specs>>

Power supply	DC 15V / 1A~2A
Dimensions / weight	140(mm) x 111(mm) x 30(mm) / 440g
Headphone Output	Type Maximum Out Level Maximum Load Power THD+N Impedance	1/4” Stereo phone jack Port 1 : +8dBV (6Vpp) / Port 2 : +20dBV (24Vpp) 300mW 0.0008% A-weighted (@ 100mW, 1kHz) 0Ω (Load : 16 ~ 600)
Line Input / Output	Type Level Impedance	Unbalanced RCA -10dBV Nominal (@-16dBFS) / +8dBV max 15kΩ(Input) / 200Ω(Output)
USB Audio	Type	Max 24bit / 96kHz, USB 1.1 / 2.0 Compatible
USB Audio	OS Support	Support Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Mac OS-X Note: The Pass-through Digital output is available to Windows Vista(SP1) and Mac OS-X only.
Digital Audio Input	Type Format Sample rate Detection	S/PDIF Optical on TOS-LINK 44.1~192kHz S/PDIF Coaxial on RCA 44.1~192kHz IEC-60958, S/PDIF Compatible 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0, 176.4, 192.0 kHz (@ ±3%)
Digital Audio Output	Type Format Sample rate Detection	S/PDIF Optical on TOS-LINK 44.1~96kHz IEC-60958, S/PDIF Compatible 44.1, 48.0, 96.0 kHz
D/A Converter	Type Dynamic Range THD+N Frequency Response Gain Mismatch	24bit, 192kHz, 8times Digital filter 123dB (@ -60dBFS with A-Weighted) 0.0005% (@ fs=44.1kHz, 0dB) 0 ~ 21.7kHz, ±0.0002dB (@ fs=48kHz) 0 ~ 43.5kHz, ±0.0002dB (@ fs=96kHz) 0 ~ 87.0kHz, ±0.0002dB (@ fs=192kHz) ±0.5%(channel to channel)
OPAMP	Operating Voltage	24.0V(±12V), FDO : NE5532 x 3 (DIP, Socket Type) Line Out : OPA2134 (DIP, Socket Type) Headphone : OPA2604 (DIP, Socket Type) Line In : NJM4580 (SMD)
Power Consumption	About 4W~6W (5W / typ)

Audinst HUD-MX1 US$ 179.00

- volume control

- headphone 16 - 600 ohm

- RCA and optical out

Benchmark USB DAC 1 $1275.00

Digital input:

USB, Optical, Coaxial, AES/EBU(XLR)
Input Sample Frequency Range: 28 to 195 kHz
Maximum Input Word Length: 24 bits
Advanced USB™ computer audio interface for native 24-bit/96-kHz USB audio
Compatible with Windows Vista/XP/2000 and Mac OS X without driver installation

Analog output: balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA)

Measurements by John Atkinson

Centrance DACport $500.00

Centrance is the one programming the TAS1020B chip allowing 24 bits/96 kHz over USB using native mode drivers on Windows, Mac OS and Linux.

This code is used by Benchmark Media Systems, Belcanto, Lavry, Empirical, and PS Audio.

Digital specs
	Sample Rate	96kHz (Also: 44.1 kHz, 48kHz and 88.2kHz)
	Resolution	24-bit (Also supports 16-bit)
	Connection	USB1.1 or 2.0, driverless
	Communication	AdaptiWave™ - our proprietary USB technology
	Local clock	10 ppm precision, 1 ps jitter
	Compatibility	Any computer running Mac, PC, or Linux

Analog Specs
	Dynamic Range	120 dB
	Frequency Responce	20Hz...40kHz +/-0.2dB
	THD+N	-97 dB (-0.5dBFS, 1kHz)
	Audio Output	Stereo 1/4" headphone jack
	Heaphone Amp	Direct Class A, no caps in the signal path
	Maximum Output Level	+9dBV @300 Ohm load (8.5V peak-to-peak)
	Output Power	1.5W (total)
	Output Impedance	10 Ohm

General Specs
	Input power	USB bus (no external power supply needed)
	Internal power supplies	±9V, super-clean, dual analog rails; +3.3V, +5V.
	Unit Dimensions:	4.5" (11.4cm) L, 1" (2.5cm) W, 1" (2.5cm) H
	Weight:	2.4 ounces (68 grams)

Centrance DACmini $795.

A DAC matching a Mac mini in size

Resolution	24-bit (Also supports 16-bit)
Sample Rate	USB: Up to 96kHz, S/PDIF: Up to 192 kHz
Interface	USB1.1 or 2.0, driverless
Communication	AdaptiWave™- proprietary USB technology
Local clock	10 ppm precision, unmesaurable jitter
Compatibility	Any computer running Mac, PC, or Linux

E-MU 0404 USB 2.0 $ 199.99

24-bit/192kHz A/D and D/A converters
Two 1/4" Balanced Outputs (117dB SNR)
Stereo 1/8" Speaker Output (117dB SNR)
24-bit/96kHz S/PDIF Optical and coaxial In/Out (switchable to AES/EBU)
MIDI Input/Output
Stereo Headphone Output (114dB SNR)

One of the very few DACs accepting 24/192 over USB. You need to install the custom USB driver to do so.

ESI Audiotechnik GmbH Dr. DAC nano € 65,00

Dr. DAC nano provides 2 output channels via both analog and a digital optical S/PDIF connection

16bit/24bit, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 96kHz bit-perfect support
Standard USB audio driver in Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Mac OS X
S/PDIF optical output via 3.5mm mini plug optical transmitter
NON-PCM (Dolby Digital/dts) Pass Through support
AKM AK4421 192kHz 24-Bit Stereo DAC, 103dB dynamic range, analog playback support up to 24bit/96kHz from TE7022L I2S interface
Tenor TE7022L USB streaming audio controller with 12MHz USB Full Speed operation
Analog Devices AD8397 High Output Current Amplifier
16 ohm ~ 300 ohm headphone driving capability
combo S/PDIF & analog output jack / up to 24bit/96kHz output capable
Max. 3 Vrms analog output level
National Semiconductor LM2663M Switched Capacitor Voltage Converter
Precision +-5ppm 12.000MHz TCXO for lowest clock jitter
Low ESR Tantal capacitor
High quality 4 Layer PCB
USB bus powered operation
3.5mm Miniplug-Toslink optical converter included
dimensions: 60mm x 45mm x 17mm

ESI Audiotechnik GmbH Dr. DAC prime € 349,00

24/96 USB DAC and AD converter.

Dr. DAC prime works with up to 24bit/192kHz and is not only equipped with both an optical (via the included miniplug-toslink adapter) and coaxial S/PDIF input but also with a full USB audio interface (up to 24bit/96kHz) for bit-perfect audio transfer. Optionally the incoming signal can be upsampled to 192kHz, using a TI SRC4382 high end sample rate converter.

The actual analog output signal is generated by a TI PCM1796 DAC with 123dB(a) dynamic range, featuring a full differental output with 3 LME49860NA opamps (8 pin) which are conveniently placed on sockets. The built-in headphone amplifier provides 1/8" and 1/4" connectors.

The line output volume can be adjusted or fixed to send out the maximum dynamic range.

But Dr. DAC prime is much more: it provides line inputs (AKM AK5386 ADC with 110dB) as well as optical and coaxial S/PDIF inputs, allowing you to record your own signals with excellent audio quality.

Dr. DAC prime works under Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 as well as Mac OS X even without the installation of any driver software - that's Plug & Play in perfection, it could not be more simple.

Furutech ADL GT40 USB DAC with Phono stage € 500,00

USB & Analog Playback and Record multimedia audio system
Connectivity: USB B Interface, Analog input/output RCA jack
USB Playback Resolution : 24bit/96kHz
USB Recording Resolution: 96kHz (Max) supports 32kHz/44.1kHz/48kHz
Frequency response: 20Hz ~ 20kHz (40Hz: +0.5 dB, 15kHz:-0.5dB)
SN ratio:-90dB (A-wtd) / Line Output
Line Output Level: 1 Vrms
Line Input Level: MC 0.5mV / MM 5mV / Line 1V
Headphone Output Level: 80mW ( 32 ohm ) Max.
Power Supply AC Adaptor Rating: AC 9V 0.5
Dimensions: 150 (W) x 111 (D) x 57 (H) mm
Weight: 650g Approx.

Iso Co IHA 21

USB audio class 2

Volume control

Headphone

North Star Design USB DAC 32 € 1800,00

32 bits /192 kHz over USB 2 using propreitary drivers.

Data resynchronization by re-clocking the incoming data.
Decouple the ground of the computer from the DAC.

•Very low jitter 192/24 Cirrus CS8416 digital receiver
•High stability on board master clock
•Seperated toroidal transformers for digital and analogue sections
•High dynamic 192/32 Cirrus CS8421 digital upsampler
•Very low distortion 192/32 Texas PCM1795 DAC

Digital Input Frequency	32kHz - 192kHz, up to 32 bit
Dynamic Range	126dB (24 bit input)
S/N Ratio	112dB
Inputs	2 S/PDIF (1 RCA coax, 1 TOSLINK) 1 XLR AES/EBU 1 USB 2.0 1 I2S RJ45
Output Unbalanced	1 pair per channel (RCA)
Output Balanced	1 pair per channel (XLR)
Mains Voltage / Consumption	230/115V 50/60Hz 25VA
Chassis Size	43,3 x 17 x 6,0 cm 17 x 7.5 x 2.7 in
Weight	5,0 Kg

Nuforce uDAC-2 129.00 USD

Input

USB DAC: USB 1.1, 2.0 compatible.
USB native bit rate: 32, 44.1, 48, and 96 kHz, 24-bit
Maximum sampling rate: 96kHz
Resolution: 24-bits

Output

Analog RCA Output = 2Vrms
Dynamic Range: 110dB
THD+N= -95 dB
S/N Ratio: 98dB
Digital Output: coaxial RCA 75-ohm
Headphone output jack

Power output: 80mW x 2 @ 16-Ohm
THD+N 0.05%
Headphone impedance 16-300 Ohm

Power: USB Bus Powered

Dimensions: 68x38x21mm

MUSILAND Monitor 01 US $82.00

Max Sampling rate: 24Bit/192khz
analogy audio jack: RCA output, 3.5mm headphone output
analogy output frequency response（20Hz-20kHz）: +/-0.1dB
analogy s/n rate:113dB
analogy dynamic range:113dB
analogy distortion:0.005%
Headphone output power(100 ohm):50MW
digital audio port:optical port
digital s/n:140dB
digital dynamic range:140dB
PCM 1793 D/A chip
S/PDIF output
ASIO drive,support:Windows XP/ VISTA /Windows7

The Monitor 01 USD comes without the headphone out.

Rakuten RAL24192 €490.36

USB Audio class 2

Volume control

Headphone

Tascam US-144 $269.00

2 XLR mic inputs with phantom power
S/PDIF Digital Input & Output 4 in, 4 out operation (analog, S/PDIF)
2 analog line inputs (1 switchable to high impedance for use with guitars, basses, etc.)
1 MIDI input,
1 MIDI output USB 2.0 equipped (also supports USB 1.1) Up to 24-bit/96kHz for high quality recordings
Zero-latency hardware monitoring
Separate headphone output & level controls
Bus powered for use with any PC or Mac, including laptops

Violectric V800 € 990,00

26 bits/96 kHz adaptive mode USB DAC
AES/SPDIF/Toslink 24/192
volume control
adjustable upsampling
THD:< -112 dB (@ -1 dBFs)
Output: XLR / RCA