Last Updated: November 7, 2021 (Refresh Now)
Signstek HiFi USB to Coaxial S PDIF Converter Convert Digital to Analogue Signal Mini USB DAC PCM
Last Updated: November 7, 2021 (Refresh Now)
7.4
SCORE
/10
Total Reviews
449
Old Reviews
359
Unverified
13
Spam Test
PASS
Yes
USB
Review Analysis - 77 recent, verified reviews
Detailed Mode
Connectivity
35usb, dac, output, windows, mac mini
+83%
-17%
" ... -Works great on Mac/Windows ... "
" ... I listened to the audio using the optical connection on my old Mac versus using this device, and they appear to function the same. ... "
" ... I plugged this into a USB port and it worked a treat. ... "
" ... This is a great little 16/48 USB DAC. ... I am using it to source music from my laptop to an amplifier. ... "
" ... It allows RCA digital coax and optical connection from your laptop to your DAC . ... "
" ... Works perfectly with both Mac and Windows, requires no software, requires no external power. ... "
" ... Just plug and play on my laptop. ... "
" ... If you are concerned whether this budget USB DAC will be better than your integrated audio, check the model - it can be viewed in the 'specifications' section of your motherboard model. ... "
Sound / Sound Quality
31sound quality, output, optical, volume, sound card
+94%
-6%
" ... I bought for my music system. ... "
" ... For ~20 dollars you can make all the headaches go away, and potentially get better sound quality. ... I won't lie and say that I noticed a huge difference in audio quality by using this over on board, but it did eliminate multiple audio sync issues as well as feedback that I was getting from the motherboard jack. ... "
" ... That arraignment works well and has a very high sound quality. ... Using the DAC on it's own for analog sound is noticeably lesser quality with a lower sound level and output. ... "
" ... I have used a variety of reasonably priced audio brands in the past. ... The output is low voltage(maybe) so it needs more amplification than my other DACs but the sound quality is great. ... I love cheap stuff that sounds great and this has kept me from wanting to purchase more expensive stuff, because why? ... Good amp=good to go. ... "
" ... I use the Mini DAC to send audio over fiber from my computer to my stereo amplifier which is on the other side of the room and it works great. ... "
" ... Almost rivals the sound of my high end da converter with optional tube output stage. ... The soundstage is welll defined. ... with the trombone on one of my audiophile quality songs floating in space about three feet behind the right speaker. ... "
" ... To me, the out of the box sound quality is way better than what I was expecting from a $30 DAC. ... Do note that I am not an Audiophile, and am sort of a normal consumer when it comes to sound quality. ... - I am running a 3.5 Jack output to an older amp, which is for my 5.1 surround sound setup. ... It outputs in all speakers and the sub perfectly fine. ... "
" ... It cost so little and got the job done ( filter the PC computer noise). ... "
Sound
31sound quality, output, volume, bass, optical
+94%
-6%
" ... To me, the out of the box sound quality is way better than what I was expecting from a $30 DAC. ... Do note that I am not an Audiophile, and am sort of a normal consumer when it comes to sound quality. ... - I am running a 3.5 Jack output to an older amp, which is for my 5.1 surround sound setup. ... It outputs in all speakers and the sub perfectly fine. ... "
" ... If you need an audio converter this is the box for you! ... "
" ... In comparison, to cheap integrated audio it provides more defined sound, with higher dynamic range. ... Some songs actually start to sound quite different, where you experienced some noise-like sounds - you will get a clear picture, voice will get better, bass, surprisingly is also better. ... "
" ... For ~20 dollars you can make all the headaches go away, and potentially get better sound quality. ... I won't lie and say that I noticed a huge difference in audio quality by using this over on board, but it did eliminate multiple audio sync issues as well as feedback that I was getting from the motherboard jack. ... "
" ... No hum, no buzz, good clarity (high end audio system so I'd hear any issues). ... "
" ... I have a Samsung soundbar with subwoofer setup in my office. ... "
" ... It cost so little and got the job done ( filter the PC computer noise). ... "
" ... I am using it to source music from my laptop to an amplifier. ... "
Connectivity / Device Compatibility
24output, optical, mac mini, mac, dac
+79%
-21%
" ... My 2019 Macbook has no headphone with Toslink output like older Macbooks. ... "
" ... Bought one of these to test out before purchasing a new Mac Mini. ... At least I know I can buy one of the new Mac Minis without experiencing a big drop in sound quality now. ... "
" ... Connected my new laptop to my old desktop 5.1 surround sound system via optical cable. ... "
" ... Just wanted a cheap, hassle free way to add a stereo optical output to a cheaper Windows 10 PC. ... "
" ... I am using it to source music from my laptop to an amplifier. ... "
" ... -Works great on Mac/Windows ... "
" ... Connects my laptop dock to my stereo system. ... "
" ... I was using Bluetooth to send audio from my laptop. ... "
Connectivity / Ports
22usb, output, dac, coax, toslink
+86%
-14%
" ... Conclusion: If you're looking for an optical audio port for your computer speakers, this does the job very well. ... "
" ... Please note if you plan a similar set up, you will need to have your dac/amp powered via USB to an outlet. ... My surge protector has a USB port that I used to power the G6 (while the USB cable from the PS5 powers this product) ... "
" ... Connected my new laptop to my old desktop 5.1 surround sound system via optical cable. ... "
" ... Works perfectly with both Mac and Windows, requires no software, requires no external power. ... "
" ... I listened to the audio using the optical connection on my old Mac versus using this device, and they appear to function the same. ... "
" ... If you need usb in and coax or optical or rca or headphone(3.5mm) out, this is perfect. ... "
" ... My integrated amp has no usb input. ... I use this to change my computer usb out to a digital coax out. ... "
" ... My 2019 Macbook has no headphone with Toslink output like older Macbooks. ... This unit, in combination with a USB-C to USB-A adaptor, provides the Toslink optical audio output I need for input to a desktop stereo amplifier that has only Toslink input. ... "
Body
14build quality, aluminum case, quite, perfectly, much better
+79%
-21%
" ... This unit is affordable and performs quite well for my ears. ... "
" ... If your budget is limited this is a well built quality little unit, but for not that much more there are much better choices out there to be had. ... "
" ... I'm not getting ear fatigue and my music is punchy yet relaxed. ... "
" ... This fit the bill perfectly. ... "
" ... I came across this little guy and it looked interesting. ... "
" ... Build quality is fine. ... Extruded aluminum case is tough. ... "
Usage
10control, audio, setup, controls, bass
+70%
-30%
" ... It does a great job, but a volume knob would have been helpful. ... "
" ... I set up our living room as a 'zoom room'. ... Setup now works fine. ... "
" ... The Fosi has volume, bass and treble controls and they work very well. ... "
" ... Setup was instantaneous. ... "
" ... Smooth and very detailed. ... "
Connectivity / USB
10output, dac, usb to optical, toslink, optical
+80%
-20%
" ... Bottom line: 1) Good USB-to-Optical/Coaxial converter, 2) Acceptable DAC, 3) A good deal for the money. ... "
" ... The USB to optical function works great for feeding my desktop amp. ... "
" ... Note, I did not test this with digital formats like DTS, but a simple USB-to-SP/DIFF works great for stereo. ... "
" ... This unit, in combination with a USB-C to USB-A adaptor, provides the Toslink optical audio output I need for input to a desktop stereo amplifier that has only Toslink input. ... "
" ... If you are concerned whether this budget USB DAC will be better than your integrated audio, check the model - it can be viewed in the 'specifications' section of your motherboard model. ... "
" ... This is a great little 16/48 USB DAC. ... "
" ... I first purchased this unit in order to add a USB device to my system so that I might take advantage of premium services from SmoothJazz and streaming from XM/Sirius. ... "
Software
9windows, installed, driver, audio, mac
+67%
-33%
" ... -Works great on Mac/Windows ... Individual app relative volume can still be adjusted/mixed as needed. ... "
" ... Works perfectly with both Mac and Windows, requires no software, requires no external power. ... "
" ... Drivers installed automatically without the need to find them online. ... "
" ... Note, I did not test this with digital formats like DTS, but a simple USB-to-SP/DIFF works great for stereo. ... No drivers were needed with Win10 (plug n play). ... "
" ... This is just what I needed for my new Mac mini (2018) with Catalina OS. ... "
Price
919, value, signstek, cost, 99
+100%
" ... For $19.99, this little box does a lot. ... Also, since this box cost (say it again) only $19.99, I was not interested in doing any kind of rigorous A/B testing--thus, when I concluded that the Signstek introducing some sound degradation, I was using two different computers (MacBook Pro 2013 with a single USB cable into the SMSL SU-8 USB input vs. a relatively high-end ASUS i7-7500U laptop with a USB cable into the Signstek box connected to the optical/coaxial inputs of the SMSL SU-8). ... The quality was ok--certainly perfectly fine for $19.99. ... "
" ... I was very satisfied with all of them for their value proposition. ... "
" ... There are definitely more robust solutions out there, but not at this price range. ... "
" ... It's what I expected for the price. ... "
" ... Can you spend more money? ... "
" ... If you have a sub-$600-700 laptop, then - you guessed it - this one will be better. ... I would say it is woth its money, if you are not an experienced audifile. ... "
" ... For the price to performance ratio, this product is A+. ... "
Body / Build Quality
9build quality, aluminum case, much better, metal, construction
+78%
-22%
" ... If your budget is limited this is a well built quality little unit, but for not that much more there are much better choices out there to be had. ... "
" ... Build quality is fine. ... Extruded aluminum case is tough. ... "
Cable
7cables, receiver, rca cables, rca, jack
+43%
-57%
" ... I bought this to go from USB to coaxial cable but the background noise this picks up makes it unusable even when using high end cables costing many times what this thing costs. ... "
" ... I wasn't being rough with it, the plastic piece just snapped off when i removed the Toslink cable. ... Now the cable will not stay in place without the plastic shutter in place. ... "
" ... Regardless if I plug in to the RCA jacks or to the 3.5mm jack, there is no audio in the right channel. ... "
" ... And by the way, I use Audioquest speaker cables too. ... "
Reliability
6problems, month, defective, another one, years
+67%
-33%
" ... It worked well for a full year. ... "
" ... I've had the Mini DAC for over two years now without any problems. ... "
" ... Works like it should, no problems. ... "
Usage / Controls
5control, audio, controls, bass, windows
+40%
-60%
" ... Only drawback is I lost volume control, though that’s normal. ... "
" ... In Windows 10 it installs as USB AUDIO DAC and the volume control inside windows does nothing. ... "
" ... The volume scroll on my keyboard does nothing. ... "
Software / Drivers
5installed, driver, dac, automatically, audio
+60%
-40%
" ... Drivers installed automatically without the need to find them online. ... "
" ... No drivers were needed with Win10 (plug n play). ... "
Marketplace
5seller, returning, return, item, defective
+20%
-80%
" ... Maybe I have a defective unit, but unless someone at the manufacturer would like to reach out and give me another one to try, don't waste your time. ... "
" ... This was DOA, so I'm returning it. ... "
" ... Unfortunately I will have to return it. ... "
" ... No response from seller. ... "
Sound / Bass
3treble, output, control, volume, signstek
+100%
" ... The Signstek was noticeably bright with recessed bass. ... "
" ... The Fosi has volume, bass and treble controls and they work very well. ... "
" ... I have an analogue procesoer with a 12ax7 output stage to help with the bass and more gain. ... "
Body / Design
3looks, aluminum
+67%
-33%
" ... I came across this little guy and it looked interesting. ... "
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Specifications
Connectivity
USB: Yes
Recommendations
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