Thunderbolt - what does it mean for DACs and computer audio?

[pfarthing]

So the new Mac Minis may have this Intel Thunderbolt thing.

 

http://www.intel.com/technology/io/thunderbolt/index.htm

 

What does the technology signify for computer audio, jitter, and clocks? And does anyone know if folks are already working on Thunderbolt DACs?

 

Thanks!

 

[Miska]

What does the technology signify for computer audio, jitter, and clocks? And does anyone know if folks are already working on Thunderbolt DACs?

 

Any current PCIe audio interface is a good example of what it means, since it's the same thing.

 

Biggest advantage of PCI/PCIe/ExpressCard is that the audio interface can read the audio data straight from the computer's RAM based on it's own clock. No need to actively packetize and send the data on software level like on a USB.

 

 

[pfarthing]

I see, thanks, Miska. So it's like the benefits of a direct PCIe data connection plus the ease of physical connectivity to an external device.

 

Wouldn't this make S/PDIF and USB Dacs somewhat redundant?

 

[Miska]

Wouldn't this make S/PDIF and USB Dacs somewhat redundant?

 

Technically yes, but naturally it will take fairly long time for something to be replaced.

 

Fairly large base of existing PCIe hardware solutions will probably accelerate the change.

 

One important aspect though is that USB can be implemented even in low-end hardware devices, while Thunderbolt host is most likely limited closer to PC-level hardware... And S/PDIF is really simple and can be implemented in pure hardware.