DAC...USB vs. Coax/Optical

Hello Everybody. I have been on the market for a DAC for a couple of weeks now. Maybe it's just me, but I'm having a hell of a time deciding. It just seems like there's alot to weigh out between alot of different products. Perhaps it's the fact that its my first, because I can make quick decisions in every other dept.

Right now a friend of mine is trying to sell me his Firestone Spitfire. I have it hooked up and its a great unit. The thing that's throwing me off is this; my card has optical and digital out. I have been going about my search by looking for DACs that will connect from these. Should I be overlooking USB DACs? I feel like I should be using the outputs my card has but am I selling myself short? Will a USB cable provide the same results as coax or optical for this application?

There are some great looking, USB only DACs out there....what do you think??

Overall, I think you're better off using coax or optical. Most USB audio interfaces are limited to 16bit 44.1kHz CD resolution. Performancewise I don't think it makes any difference. But if you want to use it for higher res audio formats, then USB doesn't generally work.

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Originally Posted by noddin0ff

Overall, I think you're better off using coax or optical. Most USB audio interfaces are limited to 16bit 44.1kHz CD resolution. Performancewise I don't think it makes any difference. But if you want to use it for higher res audio formats, then USB doesn't generally work.

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Excellent, thanks noddin, well stated...

Hi Poppachubby

The difference is that usb connections will only sustain 16 bit files, which is why I want to know how can I tell if my card has optical or co-ax output. If you download 24 bit files from specialist sites such as Linn audio there would not be any point with usb. Can you help? What kind of card do I need and which output would I then use, headpone? The answer is don't bother with usb. By the way, all apple downloads via i tunes are 16 bit, but what about when they upgrade to 24 bit or more? usb connections will soon be redundant!

WOW!!!!!! REALLY!!!!

I guess I better tell my MH DAC (using a USB interface) to stop playing 24 bit files then????? :nonod:

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Originally Posted by poppachubby

Hello Everybody. I have been on the market for a DAC for a couple of weeks now. Maybe it's just me, but I'm having a hell of a time deciding. It just seems like there's alot to weigh out between alot of different products. Perhaps it's the fact that its my first, because I can make quick decisions in every other dept.

Right now a friend of mine is trying to sell me his Firestone Spitfire. I have it hooked up and its a great unit. The thing that's throwing me off is this; my card has optical and digital out. I have been going about my search by looking for DACs that will connect from these. Should I be overlooking USB DACs? I feel like I should be using the outputs my card has but am I selling myself short? Will a USB cable provide the same results as coax or optical for this application?

There are some great looking, USB only DACs out there....what do you think??

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It depends. As others have said, standard USB is limited to 98kbps. Also in general it's inclined to be jittery. Personally I use the S/PDIF coax from my sound card via a 30 foot cable to my DAC. (The longer cable suppresses jitter due to possible card/DAC impedance mismatches.)

On the other hand, asynchronous USB connectors, using custom software drivers, are becoming increasingly available; they permit 24/192 and can reduce jitter to levels as good as or better than S/PDIF.

Here's an example of a low-cost DAC that boasts a custom USB interface as well as an ASIO driver ... Musiland Monitor 02

Hello PC, have not seen you post in awhile.....unless you are in a really big hurry to pick up a DAC you might want to consider getting a loaner audition from Neko. Here is the website and if you check out their forums section you can sign up for a loaner but of course there are terms....

http://nekoaudio.com/