ggking7 Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 I was going to start an LP collection for the "high-resolution" sound, but I was reading the DVD-A Wikipedia page and it sounds like ripping high-resolution audio from DVD-A discs is easy. Has anyone tried this? Does it result in a bit-perfect copy like ripping a CD does? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD-Audio Does anyone know of a list of DVD-A titles? I have a great DAC now but it can't do more than 16-bit/48khz. I did read this: http://www.computeraudiophile.com/node/58 and the Scott Nixon USB DAC is mentioned. Does anyone know if that USB DAC will do 24-bit audio? Is there a good source for mainstream high-resolution digital material other than DVD-A? Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 Hi ggking7 - I've done it before and as far as I can tell the resulting files are perfect copies. I only do this with the DVD-Audio discs I own so I can play the high resolution back from my laptop. I would go into greater detail, but I'm concerned with the possible legal ramifications. However, I am quite sure that many Computer Audiophile readers would actually purchase DVD-Audio discs if they new they could rip the high resolution music to their music server. That's a discussion for another day. I'm not real familiar with the Scott Nixon DACs. I highly recommend checking out Wavelength Audio, Benchmark, and Empirical Audio for USB DACs that will do 24/96 natively. Sources of good mainstream high resolution material other than DVD-A are hard to find. Mainstream is the key here. Linn Records and iTrax both offer DRM-Free 24/96 downloads, but the content is not what I consider mainstream. MusicGiants offers mainstream 24/88.2 content but it is DRM'd so playback options are limited. I suggest browsing around though and you may find some MG content that doesn't have DRM. Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
ggking7 Posted June 1, 2008 Author Share Posted June 1, 2008 Thanks a lot Chris. Are any of those DACs under about $600? How do you find DVD-A titles? If only secondspin.com or even netflix.com had 'em. Link to comment
ggking7 Posted June 1, 2008 Author Share Posted June 1, 2008 Here's another one that does USB 24-bit/192khz: http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/minidac.php Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 I just thought of another DAC that I am told will do 24/96 via native USB. I can't verify this right now. Here is the link to the E-MU 0404 USB 2.0. I think the unit is on sale many places for about $200. My main sources for DVD-Audio discs are Acoustic Sounds and Music Direct. These two have just about every DVD-A available. Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 Be careful. The Apogee unit in the link will only do USB at 44.1/48k. Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
ggking7 Posted June 2, 2008 Author Share Posted June 2, 2008 Firewire would be good too if that gives me more options. I also wanted to mention that cduniverse.com has a great selection of DVD-A discs, and they have details on the different mixes in each. Link to comment
ggking7 Posted June 2, 2008 Author Share Posted June 2, 2008 This is frustrating. I've found a bunch of great high-res source material here: http://dvd-a.info but I don't think there exists a DAC to fit the bill. It should do 24-bit/192khz via USB or firewire, be audiophile-grade, be somewhat portable, and not be too expensive. Some DACs do some of these, but I can't find one that does all *at any price*. I guess I'll have to wait. Is there anything on the horizon? Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 Hey ggking7 - You've come to the right place for this answer! I will be reviewing the Weiss Engineering FireWire DAC called the Minerva. This DAC will do 24/192 no problem! I received the DAC from Switzerland last week, but had to send it back do to a preproduction issue since the model I received was not an officially released version. Anyway, I should have the DAC back in my hands by the end of this week and will have a full review on it shortly. Here is a link to their DAC and converter that will allow you to use FireWire output to another type of DAC and still get 24/192. http://www.weiss-highend.ch/products.html Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
ggking7 Posted June 3, 2008 Author Share Posted June 3, 2008 Nice, that looks like a good one. Can't wait to find out how it sounds. Do you know how much it will cost? Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 I have a guess at what the cost will be, but I didn't hear it froma real reliable source. wait until I talk to Daniel Weiss again then I'll have the solid price information. Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
ggking7 Posted June 3, 2008 Author Share Posted June 3, 2008 The Apogee Mini-DAC Firewire will actually do 24-bit/192khz over its firewire connection. It's supposed to sound great too. This is the closest thing I've found. Looks like it can be had new for $900 with Firewire from several online stores. I'd prefer USB and a lower price but this is pretty good. Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 I have a feeling $900 is going to be cheap compared to the Minerva from Weiss :-| Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
TheRocker Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 Hi ggking7, you don't say whether you are on a Mac or PC, the Terratec DMX 6Fire USB (http://www.terratec.net/en/products/DMX_6Fire_USB_2084.html) does 24/192 over USB currently only on PC but I have emailed Terratec and they said Mac drivers would be available around September. However, I am a bit wary as to whether it will end up doing 24/192 on a Mac, since I can only go up to 24/96 in Core Audio (Audio MIDI setup). Also the EMU 0404 USB linked previously in this thread states it will only do 96k analogue and 48k digital currently on a Mac, so perhaps it would pay to be cautious with the Terratec unit too. Obviously if you are running a PC, you should be ok, but then there are other issues (kmixer etc.) Peter Link to comment
ggking7 Posted June 3, 2008 Author Share Posted June 3, 2008 Hi Peter, I'm actually using Linux. That pretty much requires my DAC to be a standard sort of audio device. I'm currently using this which works great and is very well reviewed but doesn't do 24-bit: http://diyparadise.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=90 Link to comment
TheRocker Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 Right, what I know about audio on Linux you could fit on the head of a pin, so unfortunately I can't help you there! I did find a very interesting thread on audiophile playback under Linux here: http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=313052816523c18280dc6301afbab5de&threadid=93315&perpage=25&pagenumber=1 but most of it is way over my head, you may get something out of it! Peter Link to comment
TheRocker Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 Actually, just a thought based on the thread linked in my previous post, but how about getting a soundcard or mobo with an SP/DIF or Toslink output? I think there will be more DACs available that will do 24/192 over this interface (correct me if I am wrong). Peter Link to comment
ggking7 Posted June 3, 2008 Author Share Posted June 3, 2008 I looked into the USB vs. SPDIF thing a while ago and I concluded that USB was theoretically much better. As for audio on Linux, it's actually no big deal. The USB DAC just needs to be a standard USB audio device and then it works in Linux just fine using the standard USB audio driver. Most USB DACs work fine. The hard part right now is finding a portable 192khz USB DAC with RCA output. The Apogee Mini-DAC Firewire is tempting but I would have to buy firewire adapters for my music server and laptop, plus the fact that it's pro-audio as opposed to audiophile puts me off a bit. Maybe it shouldn't though. Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 Hey ggking7 - Currently there are no manufacturers making 24/192 USB DACs. Also, I kind of have the same thoughts as you do about pro audio v. "audiophile" audio for lack of a better term. This may be an interesting discussion for another forum topic. Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
ggking7 Posted June 3, 2008 Author Share Posted June 3, 2008 I believe the Benchmark DAC1 USB and E-MU 0404 USB both do 24/192 via USB. I can't tell how big the Benchmark is for sure, but it doesn't look portable to me. The E-MU is pro-audio and doesn't even have RCA output. I have a feeling there will be a wide selection soon but we just aren't there yet. Link to comment
ggking7 Posted June 3, 2008 Author Share Posted June 3, 2008 It looks like the Apogee doesn't even have RCA output. The Benchmark DAC1 USB is really the only at-all-suitable one. I just wish it was portable. Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 As soon as Gordon at Wavelength Audio releases the Proton you'll have your portable 24/96 USB DAC. I totally forgot about this one. Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
ggking7 Posted June 3, 2008 Author Share Posted June 3, 2008 What happens if I play a 24/192 file and connect via USB to a 24/96 DAC? Will it still play? Here is some up to the minute info from Gordon: http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/pcaudio/messages/3/32228.html Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 Yes, it definitely plays back but will downsample to 24/96. Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
ggking7 Posted June 4, 2008 Author Share Posted June 4, 2008 Thanks Chris. I think the Proton is what I've been looking for. It will play 16/44.1 too right? I guess it over-samples to do that? Do you have any inside info on when it might be released? Link to comment
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