Which DAC is better??

ejusted

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Feb 9, 2011
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New Jersey
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). :confused:
 
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.
 
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?????
 
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.
 
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?

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. :D
 
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.
 
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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