Which DAC is better??

ejusted · May 5, 2011

I am in the process of fine tuning my system and one of the things I am looking at is a PC based music server. I am in the market for a DAC to pair with my HTPC. Currently I have 500GB of music stored on a HD. Most of them are stored as .flac and .alac files. The computer is a antec fusion black (htpc chasis), intel core i3 cpu 3.20 Ghz, 8gb ram, 64 bit operating system(W7). I have done some reading and I have come across various USB DAC's (some asynchronous, some not). I was wondering if I could get some suggestions/recommendations from you guys. Is a asynchronous that important? Would it be cheaper to get a USB to S/PDIF converter and standalone DAC? I am looking for something that is built solid to go with a pass pre-amp (XP10) and 2 channel amp (X250).

Vincent Kars · May 5, 2011

USB is a protocol a DAC (the chip set doing the DA conversion) doesn’t understand.
You have to convert USB to a protocol the DAC do understand (SPDIF, I2S) anyway.
If you do have a DAC (the box) you like, a USB > SPDIF converter make sense.
If not, a USB DAC is an option.
Maybe this link is of use: http://thewelltemperedcomputer.com/HW/USB_Audio.htm

Bruce B · May 5, 2011

Did you say "Home Theatre PC"? Is this strictly for stereo music or 5.1/7.1 movies as well? If this is for movies AND music, then I would suggest a LynxTWO-B. If just for music, I'd suggest something like a USB DAC like the Ayre or Benchmark. Remeber to keep it simple. Don't try to start converting USB to SPDIF to whatever. You'll only run into headaches.

ejusted · May 5, 2011

Vincent Kars said:
USB is a protocol a DAC (the chip set doing the DA conversion) doesn’t understand.
You have to convert USB to a protocol the DAC do understand (SPDIF, I2S) anyway.
If you do have a DAC (the box) you like, a USB > SPDIF converter make sense.
If not, a USB DAC is an option.
Maybe this link is of use: http://thewelltemperedcomputer.com/HW/USB_Audio.htm

Thank you VERY MUCH Vincent. I am not sure I understand the last post too well but, the link you gave me explains everything I needed to know!!!!!!!!!! I didn't realize there so many types of DAC's. Looks like the one I am looking for is a Asynchronous USB 2 DAC. I am going to look around for some deals!!

Any thoughts on the M2Tech Young DAC??? Also, do you think asynchronous is absolutely necessary?????

Vincent Kars · May 5, 2011

Is there anything in audio “absolute”?
What strikes me is that almost all recent USB DACs are async.

I have no personal experience with M2Tech products.
Do check user forums for driver issues.

ejusted · May 5, 2011

Bruce B said:
Did you say "Home Theatre PC"? Is this strictly for stereo music or 5.1/7.1 movies as well? If this is for movies AND music, then I would suggest a LynxTWO-B. If just for music, I'd suggest something like a USB DAC like the Ayre or Benchmark. Remeber to keep it simple. Don't try to start converting USB to SPDIF to whatever. You'll only run into headaches.

Yes I do watch blu-rays on it as well. My primary goal however is to get great sounding 2channel sound out of it. My current set up involves a surround processor(for movies/tv), a pre-amp (two channel listening) which is connected to a 2 channel amp. If I had that sound card in my pc....how would I incorporate it into my system?

Vincent Kars said:
Is there anything in audio “absolute”?
What strikes me is that almost all recent USB DACs are async.

I have no personal experience with M2Tech products.
Do check user forums for driver issues.

I thank you for your speedy response. You have given me a lot of reading to do. You are correct when you say nothing is “absolute” in music. Mostly a matter of preference.

Bruce B · May 5, 2011

ejusted said:
Yes I do watch blu-rays on it as well. My primary goal however is to get great sounding 2channel sound out of it. My current set up involves a surround processor(for movies/tv), a pre-amp (two channel listening) which is connected to a 2 channel amp. If I had that sound card in my pc....how would I incorporate it into my system?

It has been my experience that either you have a system for movies or a system for music. You can't have both that sound good. It's either/or.

How do you connect the computer to your processor? Does your processor have a 2-channel by-pass? If so, then connect the by-passed 2-channel signal directly into your XP-10.

amirm · May 5, 2011

Vincent Kars said:
Is there anything in audio “absolute”?
What strikes me is that almost all recent USB DACs are async.

Unfortunately that has not been my experience. For example, I just tested the PeachTree iDac that just came out and it is not async. They ahve new Dac*it that is coming and even that one is not.

I think manufacturers don't want to pay the royalties to license or have the expertise in-house to do it.

Best work-around then is to get an async USB to S/PDIF converter and then be free to buy any DAC. With these boxes going for less than $500 now, it makes good economic sense to go that route.

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Which DAC is better??

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