abelau

esldude: thx for your report on running V-Link on Mandriva Linux. From various sources, seems like the V-Link would likely to work beautifully with Linux with the snd_usb_audio module :-) Would anyone have a clue on how long S/PDIF Coaxial cable can run without problem? The optical TosLink seems to be limited to around 5-10meters, which maybe just a bit too short for my use. Just an update as I dig a bit more into this interesting project! I hope mods here wouldn't treat periodic updates as spam :-) Wiped out my good old Debian installation of that currently headless machine, I installed ubuntu server 11.10 as a base to try out the latest XBMC (10.1) (as I'm lazy to compile from source in Debian). Installation was easy. I could even run xbmc over X11 forwarding on my other Linux machine. The interface is beautiful! Then came a problem. XBMC is constantly consuming 80% of 1 core (CPU:E2610) even when idle! geerrrrrrr... Upon searching, it was found that XBMC was originally designed to run on an XBox, using a game loop instead of an event-driven model. Thus, it keeps repainting the interface even when nothing is changed, consuming fair amount of system resources even at idle! I am not convinced to have this major artifact of XBMC, and was looking for other solutions! There doesn't seems to be many nice XBMC alternatives(MythMusic, freevo, Enna...). At the moment, I am testing out mpd (Media Player Daemon), and use a mpd client (android tablet, ipad, or PC) as a remote control.

Thanks firedog for pointing out V-Link Linux support. From what I saw from other's response, using the generic usb_snd_audio kernel module seems to work. I will definitely try to dig into it in case I decide to go that route. I have checked the Sonore site. It is great that a few of the products explicitly state Linux being supported. I am storing this site for future reference. Checking the spec of the Audio Alchemy DDE3.0, looks like it supports up to 20-bit (I am not sure if it means the input or not). Does it mean 24/96 is already overkill, or would that even work with the DDE3.0? As my main use would be to rip all CDs (a handful maybe HDCD/SACD), it doesn't seems to need anything higher than 24/96 am I right? Of course, I do understand with the addictive nature, I may soon claim I need them :-)

I probably have to check if they are willing to ship it overseas or not. It would be interesting if you may share on the improvements or degradation(I bet not) when you receive your V-Link!

I have to say all the suggestions here for just my first post is not only constructive, but really interesting and addictive! I am amazed! esldude: Yep I had a look at the V-Link Async USB S/PDIF converter, and looks like it has a lot of praise on its design having dedicated fixed frequencies clock etc. The only short-coming is the lack of a pulse-transformer for ultimate isolation on the wired RCA output. Anyhow, it seems to be a great bargain for its price!! Right, I have to admit it is really poisonous HAHA, especially with the fact that it would be an in-place zero-pain replacement if I am not satisfied with my onboard S/PDIF output to the DAC. (even when I am on Linux!)

it's always great to hear from ppl that has used the exact DAC before... I will definitely evaluate the new option..... async USB SPDIF converter. Would you mind explaining to me why an external async USB SPDIF converter would be better than the SPDIF output from my motherboard? Is it because the async USB converter would in general have a nicer/cleaner clock to generate the SPDIF output, regardless if it is TOSLink SPDIF or BNC/RCA SPDIF? I wonder what price range should I be looking at to have a new async USB SPDIF converter that is better than the motherboard SPDIF output. It wouldn't make sense to get one that is worse or equal to the motherboard one I suppose. What I never quite understand is the TOSLink vs BNC/RCA quality difference. My superficial understanding is that it is just different interface transmitting the same exact signal with clocking. Software-wise. I guess XBMC would definitely be used. I would probably look for easy integration to see if the XBMC interface could incorporate CD Ripping functionality easily. That would be a great plus rather having the need to tell my folks to quit XBMC, fire up K3B to rip a CD! I am still kindof thinking if I should go with: Debian stable (really rock damn stable), or Debian testing (XBMC etc gets quicker update), or XBMC-oriented distros (easy easy) as suggested by Paul. Anyhow, it is relatively easy to change software, or try them all out without spending much haha. Once again, much appreciated for your input esldude.

Thanks for introducing me to Vortexbox. It looks like a really cool out of the box solution. I was thinking of just getting XBMC on Debian originally and I'll do all the ripping/encoding myself on my own gentoo machine. Looks like I could offload that to my folks also haha! At this moment, I am still focusing on the hardware side of things, mostly on optimal ways to connect my PC to the Audio Alchemy DAC.

Hi all computeraudiophile fellows, first post here. My folks just asked if they could hook up a PC to their hifi system so they could archive all their CD collections and play music from the computer easily. I am trying to get more input on how I may make good use of existing resources to get started. What I could utilize at the moment: PC: Intel MB DB31PR, S/PDIF header on motherboard (need a bracket). OS: Debian Linux. If any further hardware is needed, Linux compatibility is preferred. DAC: Audio Alchemy DDE3.0 S/PDIF receiver chip according to schematic: CS8421 Available interface: TOSLink/BNC/I2s Now the problem. How should I connect the PC to the DAC? A viable option without spending much is to go with S/PDIF with BNC/RCA or TOSLink. Are there other alternatives? I do read that some pointed out the S/PDIF var-freq clock may causes more significant undesirable jitter. One potential concern is that I am not sure if the Intel MB S/PDIF out header has an isolation transformer or not. If absent, would using RCA/BNC lead to ground loop? The TOSLink seems to eliminate the ground loop problem, but I notice many hate the TOSLink interface. What I don't understand is the difference between S/PDIF (BNC/RCA) and S/PDIF (via TOSLink) even after searching the forum. I hope I gave sufficient information for advice. I am open to suggestions on other alternatives. At this stage, I would like to limit further spending to USD100 or less on this connection as there are still lots of uncertainty on how useful the system will be. Thanks in advanced for any advice, abelau