In article , Chris Isbell
wrote:
On Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:02:00 +0100, Jim Lesurf
wrote:

Has anyone reading this tried, say, the 'Firestone' USB dac that has an
optical output?

I have an Edirol UA-25, which works under Ubuntu without any problems.
This has been superceded by the 'new and improved' UA-25EX. See, for
example.:
http://www.dv247.com/computer-hardwa...terface--56571

The only problem I have had with the UA-25 was a earth loop when using
the unbalanced analogue output. (The EX model apparently has a ground
lift to help overcome this.)

The analogue output and input seems to have very few undesirable
artifacts from the simple testing I have done. It is switchable between
44.1, 48 and 96 ksps.

The above is certainly interesting. But I was really looking at this point
just for a USB DAC with optical o/p that copes properly with 44/48 spdif.
i.e. for playing out sounds, not recording.

Having inputs and an ADC would be useful at a later point if they can can
cope with 96ks/s and 24 bit.

However once the price is well north of 100 quid I'd really like to know in
advance exactly what it *will* do with Xubuntu. Otherwise I'd probably end
up with the 'safe' option of another DACMagic.

There are a number of similar products from other manufacturers, also
targeted at the pro and semi-pro recording market.

I should spend time looking at the various sites, I guess.

Thanks for the info.

Jim

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