Sonicweld Diverter 24/96 USB to SDPIF Converter

A great new review on the Home Theater Review Website!

Andy Schaub reports on the computer based audio system, we helped him put together Andy Schaub, Positive Feedback, Issue 49

"With the Diverter I was easily carried out of my listening room and into the venue, or for that matter, wherever the music took me! My speakers disappeared more than they have in the past and the staging was much more enveloping." John Brazier, Positive Feedback, Issue 48

(P)review of the Diverter from Dave Clark at Positive Feedback is up!

"This is as close to analog as I have heard from a computer and makes me spend way too much time exploring my music files than ever before. Gee… thanks guys! At $1200 this is a no-brainer." Dave Clark, Positive Feedback, Issue 47

(P)review of the Diverter from Dave Clark at Positive Feedback is up!

We are proud to introduce the Sonicweld Diverter USB to SPDIF converter.

This is the first in a line of products that I have commissioned from Josh Heiner at Sonicweld. Sonicweld is well known in the high end audio business as producers of some of (if not, "THE") the finest active loudpspeakers on the planet. He has collaborated with some of the top digital audio companies today, including working very closely with DEQX on their newest processor. Josh's expertise in high speed digital design is also well known outside the audio industry as he is the "go to guy" for complicated and/or stalled military and medical projects. Simply put, he succeeds where other have failed, many times taking over a stalled project and getting it finished in months, where it had been previously been languishing for years.

The products Sonicweld produces are not only marvels of engineering and industrial design, but all of their products are of reference quality. Those who know me, know that I use the Sonicweld Pulserod system as my reference when I am designing anything new as it is an amazing tool for comparing minute differences among parts. The only "downside" to Sonicweld's prodcts is that they are quite expensive, for example, the Pulserod system currently lists for $100,000. It is worth every penny, but I have been thinking for years that it would be nice to get him to design some "real world" products, that many more audio lovers could afford to purchase and increase their enjoyment of recorded music.

So, recently, we began working more closely on a few items that are not only cutting edge, meticulously designed, of flawless manufacture, and best of all, these products will be affordable and still made here right in the USA. The product below is the first device to come from our efforts.

Sonicweld Diverter USB to SPDIF converter. This is one of a very few select USB to SPDIF devices that can pass bit perfect 24/96 files via USB. The other devices on the market that can pass 24/96 over USB either require a special driver to be installed, or rely on licensed technology, this product is different. This device needs no special drivers (uses the native drivers in your OS) or software and does not rely on licensed technology. This is a unique and elegant solution that will allow computer audio afficionados to get one step closer to the live music experience.

Even if one has no need for the ability to listen to 24/96 high resolution music files (although you owe it to yourself to do so...), this device will enhance your experience with 'regular' 16/44.1 CD quality files due to the precision reclocking circuit which dramatically reduces deterministic jitter, as well as ultra low noise power supply and the advanced high speed digital design techniques and PCB layout employed which help reduce random jitter.

A great deal of time and attention has been paid to the power supply circuit, allowing the Diverter to draw power directly from the USB bus, while still realizing the benefits of an external power supply. Elegant PCB design making extensive use of SMD parts and high speed digital design techniques, aggressive common and differential mode filtering and unique ultra low-noise power regulation circuits, allows this device to have an astonishingly low noise floor when powered by the convenient USB bus power, which is already (and always) present. No longer needed, desired, or wanted, is the ubiquitous external, noisy and unwieldy "wall wart" (or "floor wart") of unknown quality and manufacturing tolerance!

If you already own a high end DAC and desire to get the highest level of fidelity available from computer audio, you need this device. The Diverter supports the most common digital recording and high resolution formats; 44.1kHz, 48kHz, and 96kHz resolution in either 16 or 24 bit depths.

• Passes up to 24/96 data via USB
• No special drivers or software needed
• Ultra low-noise power supply reduces random jitter
• Precision output clocking circuit for very low deterministic jitter
• Unique internal power supply regulation for optimum performance using USB bus power - no external power supply needed!
• Aggressive common and differential mode filtration circuit designed for optimum performance using USB bus power
• Low-jitter master oscillator with ultra-short clock delivery path
• Active inrush current management protects USB controller
• Custom silver-plated six layer circuit boards use of high speed digital design PCB layout techniques, with multiple ground and power planes
• Custom machined enclosure milled from 6061-T6 solid billet aluminum alloy with stainless steel constrained layer damping plates
• Ultra high quality, ruggedized, Amphenol USB "B" input
• Utra high quality true 75 ohm BNC digital output (custom CryoParts BNC to RCA adapter provided)

For a bit on the designers philosophy and his discussion of the design, please Check Out This Head-Fi Thread! The designer chimes in, starting on page four.

We are also making available red and black with machined highlights for an extra $125, and about 10-14 days extra lead time:

Use of this device is incredibly simple: plug it in, wait for the drivers to load in Windows (the device will show up as "Sonicweld Diverter 2496") and go.

For Mac, I have uploaded an easy to follow tutorial here!

Verified to work with all Windows OS from 98 on (including Windows 7 beta), all Mac OSX or later, and Linux Ubuntu.

$1299. Allow 7-14 days for delivery.

Quantity Desired: Color? Aluminum Red +$125.00 Black $125.00

For optimum performance, please use a high quality USB cable such as the CryoParts USB Cable, or better yet, one of the Locus Design Custom USB Cables.

In order to help one facilitate getting the best performance, with the greatest ease, I have posted some special package pricing for the Diverter and the Locus Design USB and digital cables.

Additionally, if you are using a Mac and iTunes, strongly consider investing in

CryoParts, Locus Design, and Sonicweld all work closely with the producers of Amarra, Sonic Studio, providing reference USB cabling, digital cabling, analog cabling, and USB digital gear (the Diverter) for their reference system and product development. Of course, all of the Cryoparts cabling, Locus Design cabling, and all of the Sonicweld products are also fully recognized by Amarra as being suitable and fully compatible with their software.

If you plan on using the Diverter, or any high end USB audio device with a Windows machine, please run this DPC Latency Checker to ensure that the machine is suitable for streanming audio and video. .

Return policy on Sonicweld Diverter: If the Diverter does not meet your needs, you may return it within 30 days for a refund, minus a 20% restocking fee, and minus any shipping cost incurred. This policy only applies to regular "stocked" colors of natural aluminum, red with highlights, black with highlights, and grey with highlights. Any custom color is not returnable.

Unit must be in "like new" condition, refunds will not be issued for units that have been scratched, dinged, prodded, poked, or otherwise taunted. So, be careful! As I hope anyone would with a $1299 piece of high end audio gear. Please contact us for more details.