Start at the state-of-the-art
No other USB to S/PDIF interface gives you the same level of performance, features, and uncolored, spacious, transparent sound—not even at twice the price. And now get a Special Edition with 384Khz and DSD128 support.
Our unique design virtually eliminates jitter artifacts—the long standing bane of digital systems—to deliver an absolutely over-the-top listening experience from any Mac, Windows or Linux computers and music server—even iPad, Android, and Logitech Squeezebox Touch!
And now you can achieve the highest possible analog-like performance with the PurePower option, regardless of computer source or USB cable. Absolutely no high frequency noise from your PC can make it into your DAC because there is no electrical connection between the two. It has more bang for the buck than expensive USB cables or other external power supplies.
And it's so much more than just an interface. The Audiophilleo1's dynamic, multi-function, full-color display makes setup and day-to-day operation a snap. Every feature, from its advanced digital volume control, to BitPerfect validation of the signal chain, and in-the-field firmware updates, is readily managed on-screen. You'll be up and running in minutes.
There’s even a joystick for navigating the easy-to-read menus, which dim automatically once the music starts to play.
Only the Audiophilleo1 transport-processor has advanced RISC-based signal processing capabilities and a full complement of digital preamplifier controls—for less than one might pay for a USB interface alone. It's a complete solution that delivers exceptional performance and convenience in a single, compact package.
Features
- Brilliant, oversized, full-color OLED display
- Built-in joystick cursor
- On-screen directions and help
- Direct connection to any DAC, without a cable
- Runs with standard USB drivers on Mac, Windows and Linux computers — even latest iPads, Android, Squeezebox, and many NAS and audio servers — allowing you to get the best sound from any digital source!
- Noised-shaped, dithered digital volume control
- Up to 192 kHz/24 bit playback (free Windows Vista/7/8/10 driver included)
- BitPerfect testing
- Calibrated left/right balance and channel swapping controls
- Add new features in minutes by downloading firmware updates
- Remote control receiver port
- Unique JitterSimulator lets you hear what jitter sounds like
- Ramped muting is gentle on the ears, amps and speakers
- Polarity reversal, while you listen
- Always-on S/PDIF output eliminates clicks between tracks
- Dual 12V triggers automatically control amps and other gear
- USB-powered for easy installation
- Multi-function LED status indicator
- Compact and ergonomic: you can take it with you
- DSD64 supported via DoP
- Special Edition supports 384 Khz SPDIF, and DSD128 via DoP
Leading-edge design
- Ultra-low Jitter S/PDIF output, 2.6 ps RMS phase jitter, 10 Hz to 100 kHz
- Asynchronous USB transfer
- Exclusive VirtualCable optimizes connection to any DAC
- Regenerative power supply isolates all critical components from computer power
- No-compromise fixed-frequency clocks for minimum jitter
- Fully-differential ECL transformer-free output stage
- Custom-machined solid aluminum case cuts electrical noise and vibration
- Environment-friendly RoHS compliance
Audiophilleo 1 MKII USB to S/PDIF Processor
Jitter
- 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.
Many S/PDIF test and measurement devices are designed for earlier generations of digital gear. Their noise "floors" are too high to allow accurate measurement of the Audiophilleo designs, which required us to develop new test methodologies.
The Symmetricom TSC 5120A phase noise analyzer, normally used to characterize clocks in the communications industry, is one of the few commercially-available devices suitable for the task. It's designed primarily to measure the accuracy of clocks, and can generate phase noise plots from 1 Hz to 100 kHz. These plots essentially show at what frequency, and by how much, a given clock deviates from the ideal.S/PDIF digital audio signals are a combination of clocks and data, but the TSC 5120A just measures clocks. So, in order to use the 5102A, we added a firmware feature to the Audiophilleo1 that allows it to route the clocks normally used to create S/PDIF, directly to the BNC output connector. This approach uses the exact same hardware path and clocks that generate the SPDIF audio during normal operation.
If you have the right equipment, you can try this yourself by going to SPDIF->Advanced->Test Wave.
Using the 5120A, we gathered data for several common "carrier" frequencies used in digital audio, and calculated phase jitter measurements for offset frequencies ranging from 1 and 10 Hz to 100 kHz away from the nominal carrier frequency. Leading audio recording engineers have come to believe that in addition to the obvious effect of jitter at higher frequency offsets from the carrier, reducing even very low frequency jitter, in the 1 to 10 Hz range, is important for conveying a sense of presence and vitality. Here's a typical phase noise plot for the Audiophilleo1/2. It shows just 3.8 ps RMS phase noise integrated from 1 Hz to 100 kHz taken with a Symmetricom 5120A from a standard production (serial 0029) Audiophilleo1.
This testing paradigm includes any noise from power supplies, output stage drivers, and the crystal clocks, but because it looks only at the underlying clocking information, it doesn't measure any data-correlated jitter that might be present in the complete S/PDIF (clock plus data) signal. However, initial testing shows that the RMS phase jitter increases less than 1ps with various data patterns.
To get an idea how various levels of jitter influence sound quality, simply enable the JitterSimulator feature on the Audiophilleo1. When set to Level 1, the firmware adds roughly 250 ps RMS period jitter, and around 1300 ps RMS phase jitter integrated from 1 Hz to 100 kHz. These levels are typical for mid-range USB- S/PDIF interfaces, and on a higher-end system, it should be easy to hear their effects.
Compatibility
- Windows Vista/7/8/8.1/10
- Windows XP
- Apple OSX 10.5+
- Linux Ubuntu 9+. Although there are several popular Linux distributions, their USB audio drivers similar. Most are compatible.
- iPad iOS 4.2+. The iPad supports 16 bit 44/48 kHz audio, through the iPad camera connection kit and an external powered USB hub. Using 3rd party apps like flac player, the iPad/iPhone can support up to 192/24 audio.
- Logitech Squeezebox Touch. The Touch supports 24 bit 192 kHz audio after installing this plug-in.
- Android. All newer versions of Android (5+) and many older versions (4.2+) have USB Audio built in.
- Any USB Audio capable media server. Many NAS servers and other transports support USB Audio and are compatible with the Audiophilleo.
No driver is required for the OS X, Linux and Windows XP operating systems for 192 kHz, 24 bit performance. Windows Vista and 7 require our custom driver for 176/192 kHz operation; a signed 32 and 64 bit versions are available.
Note that the Audiophilleo1 Special Edition support up to 384Khz under Windows Vista/7/8/8.1/10, OSX, and Linux.
Under Windows, both the standard and custom drivers are compatible with WASAPI and ASIO4ALL as well as DS. When using ASIO4ALL, the kernel buffers should be set to 4. Note that under XP, for maximum reliability, we recommend using ASIO4ALL instead of kernel streaming.
Physical
Display: 1.7 inch (43 mm) diagonal, 262K Colors, 160x128 pixel resolution (Audiophilleo1)
Dimensions: 3 x 2 x 0.75 in (76 x 51 x 19 mm)
Weight: ~ 4 oz (113 g)
Space required: 15cm of space is required behind the DAC BNC/RCA tip. Right angle adapters can be used to reduce this space.
Sample rates
24 bits at 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, and 192 kHz. 16 bits at 44 and 48 kHz is also supported for iPad compatibility. Note that to the DAC, 24 and 16 bit S/PDIF data look the same, so it does not matter whether you play a 16 bit audio file in 24 or 16 bit mode. All devices support DSD64 over DoP. The Audiophilleo1 Special Edition additionally supports 352.8 and 384 Khz sample rates and DSD128.
Attenuation and balance (Audiophilleo1 only)
Type: Dithered volume control with noise shaping
Balance: Left or right channel may be attenuated up to 10 dB for adjusting channel balance
Max Level: 0dB
Min Level: -72dB
Steps: 0.5 dB from 0 dB to -20 dB and 1.0 dB from -20 dB to -72 dB
Accuracy: +/- .05 dBElectrical
SPDIF output: 75 Ohm female BNC, +/- 300 mV amplitude, minimal overshoot, galvanically isolated
Edge transitions: < 700 ps (Audiophilleo1 has programmable rise-times up to 15 ns)
USB bus power: < 400 mA, 6V max
USB cable length: Up to 15 ft/5 m. Active USB extenders may be to 50 ft/15 mIn the box
- USB S/PDIF converter
- USB A-B Cable (generic cable for Audiophilleo2, Wireworld Ultraviolet cable for Audiophilleo1).
- PurePower equipped models come with additional 12 inch power cable and 12 inch USB cable
- S/PDIF BNC adapters: BNC 75 Ohm, for connection to BNC female on DAC; RCA male, for connection to RCA female on DAC; RCA female, for use with RCA SPDIF cable
- 12V Trigger international power supply (Audiophilleo1 only)