USB Audio - was Re: [rescue] SGI Fuel

[nate]

-complaining about USB being for PC toys, not high-end audio. Also stuff
about good DAC's-

I would disagree about wanting a PCI card for good audio. I'm currently
(well, was until I got mono anyway) working on external USB -> high end
ADC thingie to replace my dying sound card. The point of S/PDIF, if i
understand it, is to take the audio out of the computer in digital
format. USB does the same thing, but since it's a standard buss for
*tons* of stuff, not just high-end audio, related parts will be *much*
cheaper due to volume. There are hundreds of USB controller chips on the
market! While I admit to not actually knowing for sure, I assume there
are far fewer S/PDIF components. If you're looking make your own, check
out something like the TI TUSB-3200. They also have lots of DAC's and
monolithic amplifier chips (yeah, they're probably not as good as a
high-end receiver. i'm poor.). Best part - free samples :) worst part -
damn those pins are close together :( My uninformed and ignorant opinion
is that USB for high-end audio should be as good as S/PDIF, and a *lot*
cheaper - higher-volume parts runs and no extra card in computer, can
connect lotsa devices, etc... 

--Nate Grady