USB D/A Converter for Home Monitors

R

Robert Healey

Freshman
Jan 20, 2011
69
1
0
Lawrence, KS
Can anyone recommend a good USB D/A to go from my laptop computer to a set of powered EV Sentry 100EL monitors?

I've had the HRT Music Streamer 2 (Amazon.com: HRT Music Streamer II High Resolution USB D/A Converter: Computers & Accessories) recommended to me, but I'd prefer something with balanced outputs so I can use it professionally if the need arises.

I would really like a Sound Devices USBpre2 but I'm not sure I'd use the preamp enough to warrant buying it at $600 vs a stand alone D/A.

I was thinking about picking up a Peavey USB-P DI to put in my microphone/DI kit, but I'm not sure about the sound quality, especially for only $60.

Ideally, this would be less than $300, but I could probably spend more if something good came up.
 
Re: USB D/A Converter for Home Monitors

Robert Healey said:
Can anyone recommend a good USB D/A to go from my laptop computer to a set of powered EV Sentry 100EL monitors?

I've had the HRT Music Streamer 2 (Amazon.com: HRT Music Streamer II High Resolution USB D/A Converter: Computers & Accessories) recommended to me, but I'd prefer something with balanced outputs so I can use it professionally if the need arises.

I would really like a Sound Devices USBpre2 but I'm not sure I'd use the preamp enough to warrant buying it at $600 vs a stand alone D/A.

I was thinking about picking up a Peavey USB-P DI to put in my microphone/DI kit, but I'm not sure about the sound quality, especially for only $60.

Ideally, this would be less than $300, but I could probably spend more if something good came up.
Click to expand...

Go to Gearslutz and search for DAC's. There are some consumer models mentioned.
 
Re: USB D/A Converter for Home Monitors

Honestly, you'll likely have a hard time hearing the difference between any of the USB sound cards in your budget range. Pick one that has the featureset you need and move on.

I've got a Lexicon Omega from a few years back, and an ART USB preamp I picked up because I needed something bus-powered. Both sound better than the internal sound cards on the computers I've tried them on, and while I haven't done any AB testing, they sound pretty similar to my ears.
 
Re: USB D/A Converter for Home Monitors

Hey Robert,
It's been mentioned here in passing over the last painfully long year or so of development both here and at PSW, but my two-man company, Duck's Echo Sound, makes--and is finally shipping--the BlackDog DI stereo USB interface. Shipping got pushed back a lot over the last year while we refined it, but I do have the first production run on hand, and can ship immediately following the holiday if you're interested.

It's $140, class-compliant (in other words, no drivers to install), with a pair of custom-wound Edcor output transformers, XLR outputs, mono-sum switch, and switchable audio ground. Mac Kerr has one of the first two units we shipped, and I don't know if he haunts these parts at all, but Jim van Bergen took a prototype for a spin for a while, and bought the other of the first pair (I'd have to check records to see who between JvB and Mac got #1 vs #2, LOL, it's been a little while!) Because it's class-compliant audio, it's limited to 24/48, which isn't usually an issue for live sound use, but I do want to mention it in case it's a concern for monitoring. But if you're looking at the Peavey, then this is comparable, just a lot better sounding, a lot more compact, and a lot more durable!

It's about half the size of the Peavey box, and a lot sturdier, with a stainless steel enclosure, built to take a beating.

We don't have it on our website yet, as we're a couple weeks away from launching a new retail website, but if you PM or e-mail me, I will send you a PayPal link to order it.

Feel free to ask any other questions you've got, here or private, and I'll answer ASAP.

Best,
Andy
 
Re: USB D/A Converter for Home Monitors

Rob Timmerman said:
Honestly, you'll likely have a hard time hearing the difference between any of the USB sound cards in your budget range. Pick one that has the featureset you need and move on.

I've got a Lexicon Omega from a few years back, and an ART USB preamp I picked up because I needed something bus-powered. Both sound better than the internal sound cards on the computers I've tried them on, and while I haven't done any AB testing, they sound pretty similar to my ears.
Click to expand...

I, too, have the little ART and it is fine. I also have an Alesis i02 which cost twice as much as the ART. There's really no difference in sound. The i02 has a couple more routing options and a full-size headphone monitor jack while the ART has the mini-jack for the 'phones.

I'll be getting one of the Peavey units for "other people's computers" as it is driver-less.
 
Re: USB D/A Converter for Home Monitors

Andy Leviss said:
We don't have it on our website yet, as we're a couple weeks away from launching a new retail website, but if you PM or e-mail me, I will send you a PayPal link to order it.

Feel free to ask any other questions you've got, here or private, and I'll answer ASAP.
Click to expand...
Andy,
are there some spec sheets you can post or mail?
TX
 
Re: USB D/A Converter for Home Monitors

George, it's been a while since I had them side-by-side, but the biggest difference is low end distortion, since we use much heftier, higher quality transformers.

Klaus, I'm still working on docs, but will post them as soon as I can. I'll see what I can do to post some THD and peak output level specs when I've got one back in my hands tonight. Is there anything else in particular you want to see on a spec sheet? I would love to get you a frequency trace, need to see if I can get it on the Audio Precision at my day gig, since doing it in Smaart I don't have a reference grade input to test it with.
 
Re: USB D/A Converter for Home Monitors

Okay, guys, I just put up a table/graph of the frequency response of the Blackdog DI on Google Docs. Right now it's just frequency, but later today I'll update it with THD+N.

For the TLDR summary, from 16Hz-20kHz, it's +0.07/-1.12 dB, and of course much of the rolloff is below 100 Hz (it's only down to -0.36 at 100).

Not listed on the graph, at 0 dBFS, the output level of a 1kHz sine is 9.33 dBU

Anything else you'd like to know, give a shout!


Response Graph:
http://bit.ly/BDIspec
 
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