Musician Pisces II USB Interface Review
A $519 USB interface from Musician whose page describes a low jitter digital output for an external DAC, dual FEMTO clocks and a 50 Mbps optical coupler. It lists 24-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD up to DSD1024, with driverless use on Mac and Linux. It suits buyers who already own a DAC.
Our verdict
A fit for someone with a computer audio chain who wants a USB interface that retimes the signal and isolates it before a separate DAC, at $519. Look elsewhere if you want a DAC in the same unit, since the page describes a digital output and names no chip. The main caveat is that the listing text gives no output connector types, and the page's sound-improvement claims are the maker's.
- Best for
- Someone who wants a USB interface with a retimed digital output to feed a separate DAC.
- Skip if
- You want a DAC rather than an interface that feeds one.
Musician's Pisces II is described on its page as a USB interface with a low jitter digital output that can feed any external DAC. The text names an STM32F446 based USB audio solution, 24-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD processing up to DSD1024, dual FEMTO clocks and a 50 Mbps optical coupler for digital isolation. One option is listed at $519.
Options and pricing
A single option is listed at $519, with no colors, bundles or output choices. The page says Windows users get a licensed thesycon USB driver, while Mac and Linux systems need no driver. The listing text gives no box contents, connector list, dimensions or weight.
How it compares
The MUSICIAN MDP-2 is $521.55 from the same maker, the SMSL D400 MK2 is $545.16 and mentions AK4191 and AK4499EX, and the SMSL SU9 is $459.99 and mentions ES9038 and ES9311. The Pisces II is $519 and names no DAC chip, because its page describes a USB interface that feeds an external DAC.
Shipping
- Methods and costs. The store's shipping page offers Standard Shipping (4PX, Yanwen or Yun Express), free for most countries, and Express Shipping (DHL Express, FedEx or SF Express) at 15-50 USD depending on the country, free for orders over 270 USD in most countries (checked 2026-11-11).
- Large items. The page says headphones and desktop DAC/AMPs count as large items, for which Express is free only for orders over $499.99.
- Delivery times. It says an in-stock order ships within 3 working days, Standard takes about 2 weeks after shipping out (up to 1-3 months for some countries, and the store makes no refund for that transit time) and Express takes about 3-7 days. Festive seasons and other circumstances can change the timing.
- Taxes and fees. The buyer pays any customs, import or processing fees. The page says Standard via YunExpress is tax-inclusive for some countries, that remote areas can carry extra Express charges, and that a parcel refused or left uncollected over taxes is deducted two-way freight and may be destroyed with no refund.
- Where it ships. The page says the store can generally ship to most countries by Express and many by Standard, and to confirm Standard with the team for your country. It cannot ship to PO boxes or APO/FPO addresses and can only use Express to Hawaii. It does not name the US, Canada, the UK, Australia or New Zealand, so confirm before you pay.
- Lost parcels. If a parcel has been in transit for at least 3 months, the page offers a one-time reshipment or a full refund for orders under $50 and a 50% refund for orders above $50.
Returns and warranty
- Returns. The return page allows returning any non-customized product that is still factory sealed within 30 days of receiving it, with the buyer paying the shipping. Email [email protected] within that period; the store asks for the return to be shipped within 5 working days of the RMA instructions and in most cases processes a refund within 5 business days of inspecting it (checked 2026-11-11).
- Opened items. A product opened within the first 7 days after delivery can be returned for the price minus a restocking fee of 35% of its retail value, including when it still works properly.
- Refund or credit. The buyer can choose a refund to the original payment method (PayPal or card) or store credit; with no answer within 48 hours of confirmation the default is store credit, which can also be prioritized during promotions, final-sale events and for items 40% or more off retail.
- Not returnable. Customized products, including faceplate designs, are non-refundable, and the page says the same applies to carry cases, cables, ear tips and other accessories, "due to hygiene purposes". If one item in a package is defective, incorrect or missing, the refund or replacement covers only that item.
- Warranty. The page gives a 1-year warranty on products, excluding carry cases, ear tips and other accessories, and 3 months on cables and adapters, from the date of purchase. It covers factory defects that affect proper function, not damage from human error, negligence, accidents, dismantling, water, abuse or modification (checked 2026-11-11).
- Not covered or limited. It does not apply to items bought elsewhere (AliExpress, Amazon, local dealers and the like), prize or giveaway items, normal wear or colour change, commercial use, or items that were stolen or went missing. Coverage is limited for products 40% or more off retail, for review units and for items repaired or modified by anyone Linsoul has not authorized.
- Claims. Email [email protected] with the order number, the issue and photos and videos of the fault. The store may ask for the unit back for a replacement. It covers shipping for some defects reported within 7 days of delivery if the fault can be shown on video or photo; after 7 days the buyer ships it back. For wrong or missing items an unboxing video of the whole sealed parcel is required.
Before you buy
Linsoul says it was founded in 2016 by the Crazy HiFi team to bring Chinese HiFi makers closer to listeners worldwide, and that it now sells other makers' products alongside four brands of its own, THIEAUDIO, Kiwi Ears, ZiiGaat and Tripowin (checked 2026-11-11).
We have not read any independent review of this product or of the store. Ratings and owner reviews shown on the store's own pages are the store's and were not verified.
What we liked
- The page lists 24-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD processing up to DSD1024
- Mac and Linux use is described as driverless, and a licensed thesycon driver is named for Windows
- Isolation is described with a 50 Mbps optical coupler, and clocking with a dual FEMTO design and a temperature compensated oscillator
- One $519 option keeps the choice simple
Worth noting
- The listing text gives no digital output connector types, so how it connects to a DAC is not clear
- The page names both an ARM STM32F446 and an AMR MCU for the same USB solution
- The page describes a digital output for an external DAC and names no DAC chip, so it does not read as a DAC itself
- Claims of more accurate signal regeneration and a noticeable improvement in sound quality are the maker's words
Questions before you buy
What does the Pisces II do?
The page describes a USB interface with an isolation buffer that retimes the USB input data and gives a low jitter digital output for any external DAC.
Which sample rates does it list?
The page lists PCM at 24-bit/768kHz and local DSD processing up to DSD1024.
Does it need drivers?
The page says Mac and Linux systems need no driver and that Windows users get a licensed thesycon USB driver.
Can I return it if I change my mind?
The return page allows returning a non-customized product that is still factory sealed within 30 days of receiving it, with the buyer paying shipping. An opened product returned within 7 days carries a 35% restocking fee. Refunds go to the original payment method or to store credit, which is the default if you do not choose.
How long does shipping take?
The shipping page says in-stock orders ship within 3 working days. Standard Shipping takes about 2 weeks after shipping out, up to 1-3 months for some countries, and Express takes about 3-7 days. Standard is free for most countries; Express costs 15-50 USD and is free over 270 USD (over $499.99 for large items such as headphones and desktop DAC/AMPs).
Does Linsoul ship to the US, Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand?
The page says Linsoul can generally ship to most countries by Express and many by Standard, and to ask the team about Standard for your country. It names no restriction for the US, Canada, the UK, Australia or New Zealand, but it does not list them either, and it can only use Express to Hawaii.
What warranty does it have?
The page gives a 1-year warranty on products from the purchase date for factory defects, not for human error, accidents or modification. Coverage is limited for items 40% or more off retail and for review units, and it does not apply to items bought from other sellers.
Sources & verification
What this review is based on and the day we last read it. Specs and claims from the maker are the maker’s own; the verdict and the rating are ours.
From the store
- Musician Pisces II product page: specs, options and price (the buy buttons go there)Specs, options and the listed priceRead November 11, 2026
- Linsoul shipping pageStandard and Express shipping, costs and times, import taxes, lost parcels, couriers, trackingRead November 11, 2026
- Linsoul return policy and warranty page30-day returns of sealed items, 35% restocking fee on opened ones, 1-year and 3-month warranties, exclusions, how to claimRead November 11, 2026
- Linsoul support FAQThe same shipping, return and warranty rules in question form, plus order changes and cancellationsRead November 11, 2026
- About LinsoulFounded in 2016 by the Crazy HiFi team; names its own brands; the awards listed there are the store's own accountRead November 11, 2026
What we couldn’t verify
- Per the page, no digital output connector types, dimensions or weight are listed, and the listing text gives no DAC chip because it describes an interface.
- Per the page, the same USB solution is called an ARM STM32F446 and an AMR MCU, so the processor named is unclear.
- The page's sound descriptions (realistic details, smooth natural sound, noticeable improvement) are the maker's claims and were not checked here.
- We have not read an independent review of this product or the store, and the store's own ratings were not verified. We read the store's catalog description only: a specification table or image shown just on the live page was not read.
- The shipping page names no US, Canada, UK, Australia or New Zealand times or fees: its figures are general and we could not confirm them for these countries.
Spotted an error or something out of date? Tell us and we’ll fix it and update the date.
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