The Well-Tempered Computer, an introduction to computer audio

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

SOtM dx-USB HD asynchronous USB to SPDIF converter

We are starting to see several new stand-alone native USB Audio Class 2.0 USB to SPDIF converters.  These units are most likely based on the relatively new XMOS chip.  Latest is from South Korean's SOtM (that's from "Soul of the Music" get it?).  The dX-USB HD is an asynchronous 24bit/192Khz USB to SPDIF converter.  It will output AES/EBU, coaxial, optical digital and can be powered by the USB bus.  Only thing missing is an I2S output.  Priced at about US$300 and would give M2Tech EVO its run for the money.


Features
  • USB2.0 High Speed, USB Audio Class 2.0 
  • 16/24Bit  44.1/48/88.2/96/176/192kHz
  • Asynchronous mode operation 
  • Drivers for Windows XP-SP3 (32Bit), Vista-SP2 (32Bit), Vista-SP2 (64Bit), 7 (32 & 64Bit), Native with Mac OSX 10.6.4 or above
  • Indicate LED (Power, Sampling rate)
  • Powered by the USB bus, or external power supply 
  • Power regulation circuit  using ultra low noise regulators
  • 400/500MIPS 32bit Multi-threaded Processors (XMOS)
  • Ultra high speed RS422 driver for AES/EBU, Coaxial , Toslink
  • High grade components: PPS film chip capacitor, conductive polymer capacitor, audio grade electrolytic capacitor
  • Dual full size high quality oscillator (one for 44.1kHz family, another for 48kHz)
  • 105x53x150 (WxHxD)
  • Approximately 490g