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Topic: UCA 202 - better DAC options? (Read 3081 times) previous topic - next topic
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UCA 202 - better DAC options?

I've been using the Behringer UCA202 for many years now for PC to HIFI amp
Back in the day it got glowing reviews for such a cheap product --

http://nwavguy.blogspot.com/2011/02/behringer-uca202-review.html

Obviously now we are a good few years down the line in DAC evolution. The 202 used a Burr Brown/TI PCM29xx CODEC chip (Ok, I know that's limited to 16 bits but I don't have a lot of HD files).

What does everyone think? What would a more modern DAC improve on? Am I better spending money on new DAC and feeding music into amp via RCAs, or taking digital from PC straight to a new amp with built in DAC?

Thanks

Re: UCA 202 - better DAC options?

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Roseval on
You might have a look at this: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/tempotec-sonata-bhd-pro-portable-dac-amp-review.47929/


That does look interesting from the positive feedback. Being so small, my issue might be with outputs....I could take the 3.5mm and split for RCAs into the amp... but i'd also like to use my Sennheiser HD580's for listening without continually swapping leads. It seems to have a second balanced output, but not sure how I'd have to modify Sennheiser lead to attach to that

Re: UCA 202 - better DAC options?

Reply #3 –
As it has a 3.5mm and balanced output, I'd be able to use both outputs instead of continually swapping on the 3.5mm output. I see I can buy a balanced cable for the HD580. All this balanced cable stuff is new to me. What kind of sound difference am I likely to experience on my HD580 headphones? And taking a 3.5mm output and splitting into 2 RCAs does not sound like it can be the best way to connect to an amp?

Re: UCA 202 - better DAC options?

Reply #4 –
Quote from: ScoobyDoob on
As it has a 3.5mm and balanced output, I'd be able to use both outputs instead of continually swapping on the 3.5mm output. I see I can buy a balanced cable for the HD580. All this balanced cable stuff is new to me. What kind of sound difference am I likely to experience on my HD580 headphones? And taking a 3.5mm output and splitting into 2 RCAs does not sound like it can be the best way to connect to an amp?

For headphones, no difference what-so-ever at all.  BIG WASTE OF MONEY!

Between two consumer devices not any difference at all if there was never any issues with using an unbalanced connection.  Consumers devices are usually unbalanced.  Shielded options can be useful if you were having problems like picking radio stations through your setup, balanced connections could also help here, too if a device is actually designed for such connections.

For microphones and other kinds of professional equipment, reduced noise and interference.

Re: UCA 202 - better DAC options?

Reply #5 –
In my opinion the problem is that you cannot think that a product remains unchanged 12 years after the review. What happens from the day after the launch is that they start looking for ways to cut costs and today Behringer markets many products that contained the TI PCM2902C with a new integrated circuit called V2902 and pin to pin compatible with the previous one but produced by Coolaudio, a company from the same Behringer group. The technical characteristics of the DAC are lower, the price of the integrated circuit and of the finished product too, so someone may believe they have got a bargain.

I leave you two addresses that demonstrate the fact.

https://www.coolaudio.com/features-page.php?product=V2902

https://e2e.ti.com/support/audio-group/audio/f/audio-forum/667636/pcm2902c-pcm2902c-vs-coolaudio-v2902

Re: UCA 202 - better DAC options?

Reply #6 –
Quote from: celona on
The technical characteristics of the DAC are lower,
According to whom? Your first link is a datasheet, which claims exactly the same DAC characteristics. Your second link is an unanswered forum post, which makes no claims at all.

Re: UCA 202 - better DAC options?

Reply #7 –
Behringer UCA202 is OK , you cannot get "best " sound with a new dac.

But it is not ok with somes headphones, because the output impedence is high ( 50 ohm) . your HD580 have high impedence , so no problem, if loudness is enough for you. if not, headphone amplifier can be necessary.

Also using croosfeed and equalizer can dramatically change, in a good manner, the sound of your headphone , same as use room correction for the loudspeaker.
Music is my first love.