XITEL HiFi-Link For PC and Mac

by Xitel

Product Details

• Item Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00006I601
• Item model number: HFL-A1-X1
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 22, 2002

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

As simple as it is affordable, Xitel's HiFi-Link audio processor aims to do but one thing, and well: deliver digital audio from PC and Macintosh computers to otherwise inaccessible home stereo equipment, whether serious "separates" to simple compact stereos. With the HiFi-Link, MP3 files, streaming audio, and Internet radio need no longer be the sole province of your computer, your study, or your--let's face it--substandard computer amplifier and speaker setups.

HiFi-Link plugs into any USB port on a computer and into the analog RCA jacks of any stereo system or component. Using its integrated precision DAC (digital-to-analog converter), the HiFi-Link processes digital audio bitstreams directly from the USB connection with no signal degradation. The HiFi-Link bypasses your sound card altogether, turning your computer itself into a powerful hi-fi source.

Xitel makes a range of PC-to-MiniDisc interfaces for Sony, so it's no stranger to digital signal flow, product reliability, and proven compatibility. Setup is nearly instantaneous--you don't need to pry panels off your system, modify your hardware, install software, or download drivers. It requires no training or complicated user manuals. Just plug the link into your stereo and your PC, open your media player of choice, and click "play." The HiFi-Link runs with all Windows- and Macintosh-compatible media players, including Windows Media Player, Winamp, RealAudio Player, LiquidAudio Player, MusicMatch Jukebox, iTunes, and many others.

What's in the Box
DAC/processor, USB cable, a 30-foot studio-quality audio interconnect with gold-plated connectors (minijack to RCA), and a user's manual.

Product Description

Bypass your computer's sound card / Route USB audio signal to your home stereo, via high quality external D/A converter

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pump, your digital music, up!, January 15, 2003

By 

wcc2 (Washington DC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: XITEL HiFi-Link For PC and Mac (Personal Computers)

So you've digitized your CD collection or listen to internet radio, but are tired with the tinny sound of your computer speakers. "Why can't I use my stereo that's located just 15' away," you ask yourself? Having bought a DVD/CD player that can read .mp3 disks was a reasonable stopgap, but what about internet radio?

If this sounds like you, the HiFi-Link is a must have.

There are three items in the box: (1) a USB cable for your computer to the HiFi Link, (2) the HiFi Link, and (3) a 30' long RCA cable for between the HiFi Link and your stereo. Hookup was reasonably simple (I did get a message that a certain file was not found during installation, but the HiFi-Link still worked). The HiFi Link is small - about the size of fat candybar - so you can stuff it anywhere easily out of sight. The sound quality is great.

On the downside, using the HiFi Link requires you to change your multimedia default sound output to "USB device" instead of your soundcard; this means that everything will play through your stereo (computer games etc) unless you toggle the sound output back to your sound card. A minor inconvenience for the overall utility of digital music on your home stereo.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly Good, February 26, 2003

By 

"skimaxpower" (Walla Walla, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: XITEL HiFi-Link For PC and Mac (Personal Computers)

I was wary of this product at first. It talks about the inferiority of the 1/8" headphone jack on my laptop while using an 1/8" headphone jack at one end of the device. It seemed like an expensive cord.

However, it has proven its worth. Sound quality is noticibly better with the USB than when i plug the 30 foot cord (included) into my headphone jack.

Very deep bass is missing, and highs are imperfect, but this is probably half due to the quality of the MP3 format. Any time you stretch 30 feet of cords around a room, you'll lose some quality, I'm just impressed by the sound I get for the money.

In short, its not a perfect system, but if you have a high quality stereo a fair distance away and a substantial MP3 collection, its one of your only (affordable) options.

24 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars If you've got a decent sound card..., October 10, 2003

By 

Rev. (SAN FRANCISCO, US, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: XITEL HiFi-Link For PC and Mac (Personal Computers)

...you probably don't need one of these.

I'm feeling like an idiot right now because I bought this thing BEFORE I tried plugging my computer straight into my stereo. D'oh!!!

A 1/8" stereo plug-RCA adapter and RCA cable from Radio Shack do the same job as this thing. Just plug it into your computer's headphone jack, and you're all set. I did a side-by-side comparison between this thing and the stuff I bought at the Shack and there's NO discernible difference. I guess there are some situations where interference inside your computer and/or a weak sound card will make this not work so well, and in this case I'm sure this product would be perfect; it definitely works as advertised. But I would HIGHLY recommend you try the Radio Shack version for $12 before you buy one of these.