Thread: Soulution 590 USB Converter

Anyone here have experience with Soulution USB Converter? I am currently using it between a Mac Mini and the Soulution 541 SACD Player with Streamer DAC upgrade.

The good news is that the music sounds better when the USB cable from the Mac goes into the 590 converter and AES/EBU goes out and into the 541. It plays the 1T of music I have on the dedicated Mac Mini server and streams Spotify.

Here's the wrinkle: For some reason it won't process Tidal HiFi. Ya, a real head scratcher for me. It won't pass thru the signal. Not sure why. Ideas?

Le Roy,

Congrats on the 590, it looks like a nice piece of gear. I think you were very wise to go with all Soulution components in your system. They will mesh together perfectly. I hope you figure out how to get the Tidal to work with the 590. I'm also hoping to get Tidal in the near future once I figure out how to use it with my Mac Mini.

Best,
Ken

590 inside.



You've upgraded 590 with the latest firmware?

Originally Posted by wizard

590 inside.



You've upgraded 590 with the latest firmware?

Wizard, that is a great question. This is a loaner from my dealer David Baskin. It says serial #001. So I suspect...maybe not.

I will tell you that it is making a huge difference in the sound quality on the sources that it will play.

Originally Posted by Odyssey

Anyone here have experience with Soulution USB Converter? I am currently using it between a Mac Mini and the Soulution 541 SACD Player with Streamer DAC upgrade.

Why bother with USB and converters, if your CDP has a superior interface onboard (Ethernet) ?

I have had this Soulution converter. In fact, the pic Wizard just posted was taken by me. It is a good converter, but waaaay overpriced for what it is.

I belive there are better alternatives nowadays, at a fraction of a cost.

FWIW, I compared the Berkeley converter against the 590, and others, and much preferred the 590. We all have personal preferences, and much can also depend on the system and room involved.

Originally Posted by Elberoth

Why bother with USB and converters, if your CDP has a superior interface onboard (Ethernet) ?

I have had this Soulution converter. In fact, the pic Wizard just posted was taken by me. It is a good converter, but waaaay overpriced for what it is.

I belive there are better alternatives nowadays, at a fraction of a cost.

Hello Adam, thank you for responding. I am not exactly tech savvy when it comes to computer audio. I am attempting to learn. I am trying to get my Mac Mini to play to the Soulution 541 with its onboard streaming DAC. For some reason the direct connection via USB from Mac to Soulution was not working. My dealer loaned the the 590. I've gathered that direct USB is not optimal but that's the way I've done it in my experience.

I have seen your post about USB converter shootouts here:

15 USB/SPDIF converters shootout

I found it very informative. It does sound like there is a better way via ethernet as you suggest. I have to figure out how to mate the Mac to the 541 when the Mac has one ethernet port that I am using as an input.

Originally Posted by VT Skier

FWIW, I compared the Berkeley converter against the 590, and others, and much preferred the 590. We all have personal preferences, and much can also depend on the system and room involved.

Indeed. I have prefered the Soulution over BADA on a TotalDAC too. However you look at Soulution product, you cannot escape the fact that this converter is overpriced.

Originally Posted by Odyssey

It does sound like there is a better way via ethernet as you suggest. I have to figure out how to mate the Mac to the 541 when the Mac has one ethernet port that I am using as an input.

You need to connect the two via your router. I do not think a direct connection is even possible.

Originally Posted by Elberoth

However you look at Soulution product, you cannot escape the fact that this converter is overpriced.

Perhaps. But couldn't we say the same about your amplifiers? And many other products in this hobby?

Beauty is in the eye (or ear) of the beholder, wouldn't you agree?

Originally Posted by VT Skier

Perhaps. But couldn't we say the same about your amplifiers?

If my amps were $200k instead of $18k, then yes.

Originally Posted by Elberoth

If my amps were $200k instead of $18k, then yes.

Adam, did you sell your Constellation gear? Was that you that had the Performance series?

The MSB amps sure look to be interesting. Very nice.

Originally Posted by Elberoth

You need to connect the two via your router. I do not think a direct connection is even possible.

I've never had a Mac Mini but if it is like other Apple products you can get digital out from the headphone jack.

The headphone/line out port accommodates digital optical audio output, analog audio output with a 24-bit, 44.1-192 kHz D/A converter, digital audio output up to 24-bit stereo and 44.1-192 kHz sampling rate and supporting encoded digital audio output (AC3 and DTS). For analog headphone / line output, use a standard audio cable with 3.5mm metal plug. For digital audio, you can use Apple iPhone headset with microphone or a standard TOSLINK cable with a TOSLINK mini-plug adapter.

Originally Posted by still-one

I've never had a Mac Mini but if it is like other Apple products you can get digital out from the headphone jack.

We were talking about connecting the DAC via Ethernet cable. You can do that, via the router.

Originally Posted by Odyssey

Adam, did you sell your Constellation gear? Was that you that had the Performance series?

I have never owned one. I have listed one for a friend.

Originally Posted by Elberoth

We were talking about connecting the DAC via Ethernet cable. You can do that, via the router.

Adam, Sorry i misread your Post #9. I thought you were saying there was no direct way to connect a Mac Mini and a Soulution 541.