After comparing my M-Audio Delta DIO (a little old) to the hiface USB-digital connector dongle thing, it is a no brainer that the hiface is a better device. BTW, thanks to Shane for the loaner so I could compare.
The M-audio had a familiar sound, funny enough. I'd used it for years before moving to our new house and getting a USB DAC. Limited dynamics, punch, and frequency range. Just dead and veiled in comparison.
I didn't think it'd be THAT much of a difference.. but it is. Would the Juli@ card be better? I don't know... but I can't imagine it'd be worlds better... based on what I've read it doesn't seem to get 'leaps and bounds' better after the hiface with anything else...
So, now I have a very quiet PC that can do PCI cards. Great. I wish I had a fanless completely silent PC with a hiface now.
The Alix is becoming very appealing now. Sigh. Looks like I'll be on the learning curve... Wish I could see it working somewhere and understand it in person before diving in and trying to figure out what it's supposed to do. I'm a little nervous about introducing a Linux box with a W7 network... Especially one that I don't want to have to work on all the time.
Anyone need a small little PC that is very quiet? $250, no hard drive but everything else.
-C