Bel Canto's USB Link 24/96 converts USB audio to S/PDIF

by Darren Murph, posted Dec 2nd 2008 at 9:23AM

Wait just a second there, vaquero. We know you're invigorated, but you should probably attempt to digest the price tag here before blowing a gasket in excitement. Bel Canto -- not known for trickling out low-end gear -- has just introduced the $495 USB Link 24/96, which presumably does an impeccable job at converting high quality USB audio (up to 24-bits and 96kHz) to S/PDIF via a single 75-ohm BNC cable. The unit works natively in both Windows and OS X, comes bundled with a Stereovox XV2 BNC / BNC S/PDIF cable (with RCA adapter) and gets all the juice it needs from your powered USB socket. Now, if only five unclaimed bills weren't so difficult to obtain...

Filed under: Cables, Other hardware, Ports

Tags: audio, audiophile, Bel Canto, BelCanto, converter, music, SPDIF, usb, USB Link, USB Link 24 96, UsbLink, UsbLink2496

Subscribe to these comments

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

Matt @ Dec 2nd 2008 9:56AM

Meh, my iMac has a mini-toslink output on the back already rendering this thing useless to me

Neutral

Wayde @ Dec 2nd 2008 10:42AM

Then it is truly useless. Hey, if Matt doesn't need it - it's not a good product, simple as that. His iMac already has a mini-toslink output, don't ya know!

Neutral

Mitchell @ Dec 2nd 2008 11:21AM

i don't get it. what is the difference between this and the SPDIF header found on 95% of motherboards.

Mitchell

Neutral

bobtheHDbuilder @ Dec 2nd 2008 12:03PM

I personally like the Hippo Hi-Fi (www.hippohifi.com), but this could be in the same category

Neutral

Nick A @ Dec 2nd 2008 4:36PM

This product helps fill the gap in quality-DACs priced up to around $1,000. Cambridge Audio also recently announced a product in this category, the DAC Magic. I had been using a Xitel HIFI Link USB audio device until I found a good used Stello DA-220.

The S/PDIF header feeds this device with a bitstream, which is converted to an analog signal within the DAC. All digital devices that output an analog signal have a DAC, but they're usually very cheap and it seems difficult for manufacturers to translate what makes a good DAC in to sales speak. It's much more than just a chip.

Neutral

Zachary @ Dec 2nd 2008 6:21PM

I've been dying to get a USB DAC since I listen to all my Apple Lossless iTunes files on a high end stereo, but I know the internal DAC on my laptop sucks.

What do you guys think -- is this a good option for those who don't want to spend $1,000?

Happy 4th of July! Here's Alex Mercer with boobs, Cole McGrath in a bikini IGN shows us Milo's future 1 vs 100 'skill-based' prizes start July 10 'for the mob,' stays in beta	Hulu blocks Skyfire mobile browser from accessing videos StatCounter data shows Windows 7 pre-release use closing in on Linux Tweak Firefox 3.5 to keep running when you close all tabs
Sega giving away Columns on iPhone for free all this weekend Road Tested: AT&T Navigator for iPhone Rolando 2 out now on the App Store	Michael Jackson fireworks, the workaholic Disney Channel does it again with 'Princess' film, but it still has challenges Would you pledge your soul as collateral for a loan?
Gears of War 2's Title Update 4 now live Metanet: N+ next week's Xbox Live deal No unlockable characters in Tekken 6	Spy Shots: Next-gen Porsche 911 sporting double-bubble roof Behold: The one-of-a-kind Mercedes G/E-Class Ford reportedly tops sales charts in Canada for first time in 50 years
New America's Army 3 patch available via Deploy Client Will Left 4 Dead 1 and 2 work with each other? GoGamer.com serves up some July 4th PC game deals	10 Quarterback Battles Worth Watching Apparently, Fans Shouldn't Expect NFL Players to Be Perfect Cris Carter, Motivational Speaker, Breaks it Down for NFL Rookies