Audiophilleo 1 USB audio to S/PDIF converter is really high-end, really expensive
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted April 29th 2010 6:45PM
posted April 29th 2010 6:45PM
We don't see too many USB-to-S/PDIF converters 'round these parts. Really, who but the most insane audiophile (the type who thinks they can discern frequencies well outside the human range) actually needs one -- especially when they can cost as much as a new laptop? But then again, insane audiophiles (as well as, quite frankly, the plain ol' insane) do read this space, so we'd be remiss if we didn't mention that an outfit called Audiophilleo has put together something called, oddly enough, the Audiophilleo 1 Advanced USB to S/PDIF Transport. Even gadget blog editors who still listen to their old Big Audio Dynamite cassettes can appreciate something as feature-packed as this: not only does it handle up to 192KHz / 24bit audio (with drivers for Windows, OS X, and Linux), but the manufacturer developed its own USB firmware and output stage hardware (in this instance, it looks like "off the shelf" just didn't cut it). This thing even has a JitterSimulator, so you can, you know, make sure Jitter is being eliminated. Or simulated. Or something. Sounds awesome, right? Is it $900 of awesome? We'll let you decide that for yourself.
Higher quality music intrigues me but I could never justify the investment
@mark29
I'd build you one for $90...and I'd still be making crazy markup.
@jgpuff Ah, but would it have a JitterSimulator for when he's feeling a bit randy?
It's always been the problem with high end electronics. By the time you can actually afford the good stuff, you're so old that you can actually hear the frequencies it's offering over the cheap gear.
@WanderingFool You mean can't?
This one is worse, but looks nicer.
http://www.cryo-parts.com/sonicweld_diverter.html
I'm an audiophile, and this stuff is still snake oil.
This seems like another piece of audiophile gear that's expensive just because audiophiles will pay for it. Considering the price tag and the limited change you're going to experience in your life for buying it - why bother?
Big Audio Dynamite ftw!
These high end audio components are just like those crazy hi end gaming computer parts
is there any reason to buy them other than to validate your self endowed title as "audiophile" or "hardcore gamer"
??
@yulebellow The computer parts DO make a difference. Especially if you have a massive 2560 by 1600 monitor.
@yulebellow
In answer to your question, no. No reason.
In response to your first statement, no. They're not the same. High-end gaming parts have a measurable (but sometimes tiny and absurdly expensive) performance gain over lower-end parts. Ultra high-end audiophile parts often have no measurable performance gain over lower-end parts.
Part of the problem is that you can unquivocally quantify the performance of a computer part using metrics like framerate. You can do this for audio too with various kind of distortion measure, but ultimately the performance of a hifi is subjective. If some old todger swears that putting a $200 on top of his CDs makes them sound better (http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_12_3/marigo-labs-signature-3d-mat-7-2005.html), there's nothing you can do to tell him he's wrong.
@yulebellow
If I buy a super high end computer I can play Crysis at highest settings on a gigantic screen.
With this, I'm buying something that will make absolutely no change.
Its digital. Its all ones and zeros. Unless you change something in the DAC (or the DAC itself) nothing will change. You'll either get the best signal possible, or you'll have very noticeable problems.
Now if this is in fact a DAC, then disregard what I said and downrank the hell outta me.
@BigJayDogg3
Yea, it's a DAC.
But you're mostly right. The difference is the measurable effects.
@cpurious
woops, I looked at it to fast, it's not a DAC, you're right.
@BigJayGodd3 - Please read a wikipedia article on jitter, some things may become clear. Although, all good DACs these days reclock the signal to address this issue!
@jgpuff
Wow, so much bullcrap in one post. No audio improvement whatsoever huh? While some products make less an improvement to audio then others, high end audiophile equipment does make an improvement.
If you (and I have) spent a good amount of time listening to a $50k+ system daily, and then went to your normal everyday computer speakers......yea....there is a difference.
Engadget, just point out the facts, stop giving the masses uneducated opinions on things. Just because you don't see the price vs. performance ratio being logical doesn't mean others don't. And the science behind audio contradicts those that say there is no improved quality.
@(Unverified)
"no audio improvement whatsoever" isn't quite what I said. I said "often" and "ultra high end". As an experienced listener you're no doubt aware that one can drop a lot more than $50k on an "ultra high end" setup.
Go and read the link I posted and tell me, with a straight face, that this product would make an objective difference to the sound coming out of the speakers.
interestingly enough, Audiophilleo's webpage specifically states that you can use any USB cable with their product, and do not need to invest in an expensive USB cable.
http://www.audiophilleo.com/definitions.aspx?Asynchronous%20USB
maybe they aren't a crazy audiophile company after all
@pomokey Ordinary USB cables? That's crazy talk! This kind of audiophile yumminess *DEMANDS* the very finest of Monster gold-plated USB cables.
@pomokey
Merely gold-plated? Are you mad? Surely you must use a platinum or rhodium interconnect, solid (oxygen-free!) silver for the cabling, with a woven sheath and carbon fiber plug. Your 1's and 0's need to travel in style!
Nice, but I could surely think of better ways to blow $900. It's not aimed at me though, so that makes sense. I don't know why this would cost as much as say, a PS3 and an unlocked Nexus One.
What they dont tell you is that this allows you to hear that elusive "brown note" so not only do you get Superior quality audio, it doubles as a laxative.
@spaz4322
I just bought 2. One for each ear..Now to order up 20 rolls of the softest twalet ( Toilet said with a French accent ) paper I can find and listen to those elusive notes in stereo.
It will be worth every cent.
@Zakk ...best audiophile scrub you can get...it's black, like the maestro jacket: http://www.renovaonline.net/black/index.html?lmd=38624.448519
What is the point of this?
Maudio has FireWire and USB sound cards that will do 192khz/24 bit and have spdif passthrough....
@DoctarPeppar Woops forgot to finish...engadget needs an edit button fosho...I want to say for way less...like 150$ i think is what I paid for the maudio firewire solo?
@DoctarPeppar my motherboard has S/PDIF output at 24bit/192khz, should I buy one of these for kicks?
@aseaofflames
Well it's obviously meant for a laptop or a netbook I guess...
I dunno, I'll stick with my M-Audio FW solo :)
Whats the point? You could buy any cheap PCI (or USB) soundcard and get S/PDIF that can output 2-channel PCM (uncompressed) and you need HDMI to have lossless multi-channel output anyway.
@Waksman It doesn't do jitter simulation.
Alright, I'll bite...
$900 isn't a stupid price considering the development time vs. the small number of units that will be sold. If you own a high end system, with an older, expensive DAC ($4k+) unit that does not have USB inputs, and now have a lot of 24bit 192kHz recordings on your hard drive .. it makes a kind of insane sense.
Note though that the company "audiophillio" seems to to be brand new, this, it's first product, only starts shipping today (April 30th). That, in the audiophile world, is "amber alert".
@bebop
Thanks bebop for the post. You're one of the few people who understands this :-)
These posts are all great though, keep them coming ;-)
-Philip
Audiophilleo.com
I have the Turtle Beach AK-R8 and I can do S/PDIF out just fine. I can't fully text up to 192kHz, 24bit because my stereo system doesn't support it, but it does at least 48kHz. And it only cost about $150.
@ultim8f8 You can text at 192 KHz? What does that look like, pounding the exclamation point key furiously until it bursts into flame from the friction?
@PacoBell
I did mean to say "test."
On a different playing field but I use a $29 Turtle Beach Audio Advantage Micro to use as a USB -> S/PDIF interface to send audio from my NAS to my HT receiver.
@KO
This. A thousand times this. Fantastic product, very tiny, also has a 1/8" jack. (the spdif attachment fits inside)
It seems high-end audio equipment will always have it's niche... but that doesn't mean it's worth more than empty metal hanger in the audiophile's wardrobe-less closet...
http://bit.ly/i92g6
doesn't monster make one for $5,000? lol. overpriced audio gear is awesome
Audiophilleo? More like Audiophelatio!
Ba dum chhh. I'll be here all week.
I was actually looking for something similar to this a little while ago :)
But if i had found it at this price, i would much rather buy a new Amplifier that could take my HDMI Audio instead :)
Why would you buy a Mercedes when a Geo Metro does essentially the same thing?
@soypancho
Does the pope molests little kids?
Although I do agree the price of that thing is a bit high, you have to understand that that's not made for everyday folks and hence the hefty price tag... Do you know how much 1 professional CD player that you see at the club costs? $2500. The whole setup the DJ is using (excluding club sound system and anything the DJ doesn't ever touch)? Try $10000. I spent $5000 on my gear in 1 day... Could've I gotten cheaper stuff? Yes, would have it worked as well - hell no.
I know people hate "audiophiles" but as someone who spends A LOT of time listening to music and dissecting sounds, instruments, effects as well as mastering quality and all that I can hear stuff most people can't. I can tell the difference between 2 songs going together or not. I can tell which key each song is. I can tell when the slightest drift occurs when mixing 2 (or more) songs that nobody in the club would hear but after training my brain and ears for so many years you actually start to develop an acute ear for sound.
And finally on a side note, contrary to the article someone linked to that was talking about "audiophiles" no being able to tell the difference between Monster cables and clothes hangers - I'm sorry but I doubt their definition of audiophile involves a person with such sharp ear for sound. I can tell the difference between crappy cables coming out of the turntable or an aftermarket (usually Monster brand) one.
Thanks.
djaudiophilemusical educationrich and stupid...and "blind" gear tests show how full of it these quacks are. It comes down to the predictable 50/50 hit and miss and people get egg in the face when prosumer 5" speakers connected to a mid range Daw are picked over a warm tube pre and amp connected through gold wires to a high end SDDS custom delivery setup. It just doesn't work like the price tag tells it. Add this one to the pile.
@obry
Downranked.
So... I have an E-Mu 0404 with S/PDIF In and Out, both Coaxial and Optical jacks. It is USB. It does 192Khz/24b. What exactly am I missing? S/PDIF is a digital format correct?
Hm. I have a Soundblaster Extigy in a box in the basement that does something similar. It had optical in too, which was really nice for ripping the audio channels from my Dish Network box.
@cherryboom Nyquist on a 192kHz sample rate is 96kHz, so that's the highest reproducible frequency. Still doesn't matter, anyone who's old enough to justify buying this can't hear above 16k anyway.
Thanks obry.
Sounds like you have a good ear!
For all you guys giving us a hard time, you could read this article which explains more about jitter and how it affects audio. These things really do make a difference!
http://www.tnt-audio.com/clinica/jitter1_e.html
Thanks
-Philip
Aduiophilleo.com