USB-S/PDIF transport comparison matrix

Overview

Compare the features and performance of these popular USB to S/PDIF converters. Apart from the measurements for the Audiophilleo devices, most manufacturer do not publish jitter specifications or performance data. The values are obtained from 3rd-party testing, as published in reviews and forum posts. Prices do not include the sometimes substantial cost of SPDIF cables. Some products have optional remote controls.

Note that this comparison matrix is now quite out of date because it is not possible for us to obtain and test all new devices, but we keep it here for historical purposes. Although new devices have been released by various manufacturers, most manufactureres unfortunately still do not publish meaningful phase noise and jitter specifications for their devices. However, you can now read any of the many Audiophilleo reviews to compare Audiophilleo to competitive products not found in the matrix below.

RMS period jitter and integrated phase jitter are different types of measurements and the numbers are not directly comparable. Integrated phase jitter is the more important measurement. and proper comparison between devices requires the bandwidth to be specified. Please see the footnotes for each device listed.

We specify the jitter of our devices as follows:

  • 2.6 ps RMS phase jitter integrated from 10 Hz to 100 kHz. This is measured using a TSC 5120A phase noise analyzer.
  • 8 ps RMS phase jitter integrated from 1 Hz to 100 kHz. This is measured using a TSC 5120A phase noise analyzer.
  • < 5 ps RMS period jitter (< 15 ps peak-peak) This is measured using a WaveCrest DTS with a sample size of 8000.

For additional information on jitter and our test methodology please see this pop-up on jitter.

Comparison matrix

Audiophilleo Audiophilleo1 Audiophilleo Audiophilleo2 Bel Canto USB Link Emprical Audio Off- Ramp cryoparts Sonicweld Diverter Analog Research Technology Legato Trends UD- 10.1 and Hagerman HagUsb Musiland Monitor 01 USD Weiss INT20210 Stello U2 and Lindemann USB-DDC M2TECH hiFace M2TECH Evo KingRex UC-192 Empirical Audio Pace-car 2, SC4 for 44.1 & 96
  1. As measured by Wavecrest DTS jitter analyzer with and without included cable attached to CambridgeAudio DacMagic.  The Stereophile Bel Canto Test came up with 1700 ps RMS phase jitter 50 Hz to 100 kHz, and head-fi shows more values for other devices (all over 1000 ps)
  2. The CS8406 specifications lists 200ps as the jitter spec, so it is not surprising that the Bel Canto USB Link has 200ps jitter. This device is also single ended, not differential.
  3. Empirical appears to license the CEntrance firmware according to their list of clients. Centrance uses the adaptive USB mode in which the PLL in the USB receiver adapts to the clock rate from the computer's USB output.
  4. Under OSX and Linux the standard driver is used for all sample rates including 192/24.  Under Windows our custom driver can be used to achieve 192/24.
  5. The standard Windows driver supports up to 96/24.
  6. Based on feedback from the manufacturer.
  7. The PCM2704 is a single chip off-the-shelf design from TI and represents the low end of the market. We did not perform any tests but jitter should be significantly more than 200ps RMS.
  8. All devices provide Windows and Apple OSX support. 
  9. Based on reviews such as this one on Audio Asylum, this device performs very poorly.  It appears to be so noisy that some DACs can't even lock onto the SPDIF signal.
  10. The INT202 uses firewire instead of USB. This is equivalent to using Asynchronous USB mode. This product is included in our list since it serves the same purpose as the others, except that it has features such as XLR and firewire that are geared more towards pro audio. Other than this the design appears to be similar to the other devices (transformer output, non-differential output stage etc).
  11. As measured in May 2010 Stereophile magazine review. Please read review for technical details and jitter testing methodology. Note that the AP tester used for this review as at its noise limits, so actual integrated phase jitter of these devices may be lower.
Price $949 $579 $249 $699-$1579 $1299 $500 $199/$129 $75 $1885-$2185 $349/$650 $180 $499 $189 $1850
RMS jitter 2.6 ps RMS phase jitter 10 Hz to 100 kHz.
< 5 ps RMS period jitter. 		2.6 ps RMS phase jitter 10 Hz to 100 kHz.
< 5 ps RMS period jitter. 		190 ps1 RMS 600 ps p-p period jitter not specified not specified not specified not specified see footnote 9 not specified Unknown period jitter. 395/444ps phase jitter 50Hz+11 45 ps RMS period jitter, unknown phase jitter (see hiFace signal for more info) 200 ps RMS period jitter, unknown phase jitter 500 ps RMS period jitter, unknown phase jitter 50 ps RMS period jitter, unknown phase jitter
Hardware Custom designed Custom designed TAS1020
CS84062 		TAS1020 not specified TAS1020 + custom6 PCM27047 custom not specified Tenor TE7022L Custom designed Custom designed not specified not specified
Firmware Custom designed Custom designed CEntrance CEntrance3 not specified custom6 none custom not specified not specified Custom designed Custom designed not specified not specified
Differential Output Stage yes yes no no not specified ? no no no no no no not specified not specified
Fixed frequency clocks yes yes no yes not specified yes no no no no yes yes no yes
Max SampleRate 192/245 192/245 96/24 96/24 96/24 44.1 48/16 192/24 192/24 96/24 - no 88.2 support 192/24 192/24 192/24 192/24
Asynchronous USB (master clock in device instead of computer) yes yes no no no yes no no  no
(Firewire) 		no yes yes no no
Driver Both4 Both4 Standard Standard Standard Standard Standard custom custom Standard custom custom custom N/A
Connector BNC + adapter BNC + adapter BNC Both BNC BNC Both Both No BNC. RCA+XLR. RCA BNC or RCA BNC or RCA RCA RCA
Direct connection yes yes possible no no no no no no no possible no no no
12V Trigger yes no no no no no no no no no no no no no
BitPerfect testing yes no no no no no no no yes no no no no no
JitterSimulator yes no no no no no no no no no no no no no
VirtualCable yes no no no no no no no no no no no no no
Remote control yes no no no no no no no Gain and absolute polarity no no no no no
Linux8 Compatible yes yes yes yes yes no no no no no no no no yes
Satisfaction Guarantee yes yes no no Partial Refund no no     yes
Trends  Hag 		no no no no no no no