Our take on the Peachtree Audio X1

by Dave Bar

Add a high-res USB connection to your home theater receiver or DAC

Want to play music files from your computer through your home theater receiver? Got a great-sounding DAC (digital-to-analog converter) without a USB input, or one that can't handle today's high-resolution digital downloads? Then check out Peachtree Audio's X1 USB-to-S/PDIF adapter. The X1 isn't a DAC; it's a precision-built component that takes a USB output from your PC and converts it into a pristine optical or coaxial digital signal that you can easily plug into your favorite outboard DAC or home theater receiver. And because it allows your DAC to receive data streams up to192kHz/24-bit resolution from your computer, you can enjoy truly high-end, better-than-CD audio quality.

Asynchronous USB means better sound from your computer

The standard USB connections on most computers pose a serious limitation to sound quality. That's because while you're trying to listen to music, your PC is busy performing virus scans, data backup, and other background tasks that may take priority over your tunes, causing it to alter the data rate to suit its own needs. Unfortunately, this situation results in timing errors within the digital data stream — known as "jitter" — that adversely affects sound quality. Jitter can make your music sound harsh and edgy, and smear subtle details.

The X1 solves this problem by reaching out to your computer through the USB interface, and instructing it to relinquish control of the data stream timing. In its place, the X1 inserts its own separate, or asynchronous, clock to precisely control the timing of the data rate, reducing jitter to the vanishing point. And since not all audio content is encoded at the same sample rate, the X1 uses two discrete onboard clocks to optimize itself for different types of audio files or streams, for even greater timing precision with no sample rate conversion necessary.

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Highlights:

converts USB audio output from a computer to S/PDIF coaxial or optical digital for connection to an outboard DAC or home theater receiver
accepts up to 192kHz/24-bit sampled audio files for playback of high-resolution music
asynchronous USB input for reduced jitter and better sound with computer audio sources
two precision clocks: one for 44.1kHz, 88.2kHz, and 176.4kHz sampling rates and one for 48kHz, 96kHz, and 192kHz sampling rates
no sample-rate conversion
galvanically isolated digital coaxial output minimizes noise
powered by host computer's USB port (no outboard power supply required)
supported operating systems: Apple OS X, Windows XP (SP3), and 7
requires USB drivers for Windows operating systems
USB (Type B) digital audio input
S/PDIF output: optical (Toslink) and unbalanced coaxial digital (RCA)
3-13/16"W x 7/8"H x 2-3/16"D
warranty: 1 year
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What’s in the box? | In-depth notes

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What's in the box?

Download owner's manual

USB/SPDIF converter
Windows USB Driver CD-ROM
Instructions/Warranty

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Features

USB/SPDIF Converter: The Peachtree Audio X1 converts the USB audio output from your Windows/Mac laptop or computer to S/PDIF coaxial or optical digital audio in order to connect to an external DAC or your home theater receiver. Now, you can listen to your favorite digital music files stored on your computer through your existing home entertainment system (all it needs is a coaxial or optical digital input).

Asynchronous USB Operation: Asynchronous USB operation reduces jitter and provides better sound quality for your computer's digital music files.

24-bit/192kHz Resolution: The Peachtree Audio X1 accepts up to 24-bit/192kHz sampled audio files for playback of high-resolution music. Compatible sampling rates include; 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz. There is no up-conversion.

Windows/Mac Compatible: The Peachtree Audio X1 is supported by Windows 2000, XP, and 7; plus Mac OS X. You will need to install a USB Driver for 24-bit/192kHz playback on a Windows PC (USB driver on included CD-ROM). No additional USB drivers necessary for Mac.

Connections: The Peachtree Audio X1 is fitted with a USB (type-B) port which connects to your computer or laptop (Windows/Mac compatible). The other end of the X1 is fitted with a S/PDIF coaxial (RCA) and optical (toslink) digital output, used to connect your outboard DAC or home theater receiver. Cables sold separately.

Power Requirements: The Peachtree Audio X1 is powered by your computer's USB (type-A) port. No outboard power supply required.