Digital-to-analog converter
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 282
local
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OP
local
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 282 |
Hello everyone. So today i would like to enter to the world of DAC. I am not that familiar with and since i only go thrut cd's, i would like to add a DAC to my system. The main reason.. i listening/discover a lot of music via my computer (itunes and youtube) So of course id like to be able to link my laptop to my system. So how a good dac should work into my system. As good as a good cd player. Does music from itune and youtube will sound good ? Any recommendation of a good dac ?
Thank in advance.
Nad C356 DAC & C515 Axiom M3v3 Grant Fidelity RPF-120 MKII Analysis Plus Black Oval 12&10 JRiver 19
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Re: Digital-to-analog converter
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654 |
Philippe, you'll need a device which takes the digital output from the USB port on your laptop and converts it to a form which an input on your 5003 can accept and process. One reasonably priced item is available here which works by converting the USB output to optical digital data which you then use an optical cable to feed into the optical input on your 5003. The quality of the sound sources available through your computer varies, and doesn't match the excellence of the CD format, but can be quite acceptable. I listen to a great deal of classical music from stations when I'm on my computer (KUSC at the moment), and the great variety available makes it enjoyable, even when the sound quality isn't the ultimate.
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Enjoy the music, not the equipment.
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Re: Digital-to-analog converter
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 74
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 74 |
Philippe, Looking at the level of your components and gear, you should try a Blue Circle Audio USB Thingee Digital Converter. It comes in several configurations: Here is a writeup about it here: http://www.goodsound.com/equipment/blue_circle_usb_thingee.htmI have several Blue Circle products and they are extremely high quality.
SC-05, HLT6189, Oppo BDP-93, Blue Circle Audio FX2 Axiom M2v3's, QS8v3's
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Re: Digital-to-analog converter
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 93
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 93 |
Philippe, I have the Musical Fidelity V-DAC and like it very much. It is a pretty good value for what it does. There is a review here: Stereophile V-DAC Review
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Re: Digital-to-analog converter
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488 Likes: 1
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488 Likes: 1 |
Emotiva just announced the impending release of their XDA-1 for $299. Personally, I just use the SPDIF output from my computer and let the receiver do the conversion.
bibere usque ad hilaritatem
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Re: Digital-to-analog converter
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 282
local
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OP
local
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 282 |
Emotiva seem quite nice. I have for now my look at Grant Fidelity http://grantfidelity.com/site/Grant_Fidelity_Tube_DAC-09Since i own a tub processor, i am really satisfied.
Nad C356 DAC & C515 Axiom M3v3 Grant Fidelity RPF-120 MKII Analysis Plus Black Oval 12&10 JRiver 19
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Re: Digital-to-analog converter
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 769
aficionado
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aficionado
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 769 |
I use WD TVlive to stream Audio and Video form the PC to the receiver (since I don't have a PS3). Input: ethernet or usb, outpout: HDMI. Does the job. I would only use an expensive DAC if my intent was to play uncompressed music.
Last edited by bdpf; 10/12/10 07:45 PM.
Bruno M80s/VP180/QS8s/EP600/AVR-890 ------------------------------------ "The problem is choice..."
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Re: Digital-to-analog converter
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,357
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,357 |
I have (and I believe JohnK does also) the older version of this Xitel DAC. I don't know how this newer unit performs, but I can't imagine it being any different, and I've been extremely happy with mine. For what you get-cable's, unit etc., you can't beat the price.
The only reasonable argument for owning a gun is to protect yourself from the police.
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Re: Digital-to-analog converter
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654 |
Yes, as Cam comments, I've used that Xitel item for years now with complete satisfaction. The Turtle Beach converter works by optical conversion instead, but the results should be equally good and it's a bit less expensive. The Xitel comes with cables, but the Turtle beach requires an optical cable(maybe $5). Philippe, DACs or optical converters have been mature technology for many years and there's no good reason to spend hundreds of dollars for such a simple item. This is yet another audio area where you often don't "get what you pay for".
At the moment I'm using the Xitel DAC unit to listen to BBC Radio 3, which broadcast an excellent NY Philharmonic program yesterday afternoon, available on demand for six more days.
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Enjoy the music, not the equipment.
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Re: Digital-to-analog converter
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 282
local
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OP
local
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 282 |
well like i said i am completly newbie about Dac. That's why i take any recommencdation. I didn't had in mind to spend that much, i just want a decent sound when i link my notebook to my a/v reciever.
Nad C356 DAC & C515 Axiom M3v3 Grant Fidelity RPF-120 MKII Analysis Plus Black Oval 12&10 JRiver 19
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