Hey everyone,
I want to get sound from my computer to my Meridian 568.1 in pure digital form, but the computer doesn't have an optical or coax digital output. So I'm looking at a USB to SPDIF converter, but I'm not sure how much I should spend here. Questions:
1. I don't need a DAC at all on the USB converter, correct? So if I find some cheap $15 USB sound card with an optical or coax digital, and output that straight into the Meridian, is that sufficient for optimum quality? Is there a difference between the worst optical output on a computer, and the optical output on a $1000 sound card?
3. Some USB to digital converters output at 24 bit, 192khz - would the 568.1 be able to take that signal? What would happen with it exactly, since as I understand it the 568.1 can only work with 96khz signals? Am I losing the benefits of the 568's anti-jitter and other goodies by feeding it a signal already upconverted to that level? If so, I assume I would be better off just feeding it a straight up 44.1 or 48khz signal?
Here are three options I've seen:
1. Musiland 01 USD ($70)
2. USB to coax with Burr-Brown PCM2902E This one really confuses me - it's just a straight up USB to SPDIF converter - so why is the Burr-Brown PCM2902E necessary? (I assume this is a DAC?) The computer is already outputting information in digital form, no?
This one puts out sound at 44.1/48khz so I think it might be better for my slightly antiquated 568. And it's $40.
3. A cheap "AudiMAX T1 USB" for $12USD: Audimax T1
The latter is in Chinese but it's essential a USB dongle with an optical and normal headphones output.
Thanks so much for helping me clear this up!!
I want to get sound from my computer to my Meridian 568.1 in pure digital form, but the computer doesn't have an optical or coax digital output. So I'm looking at a USB to SPDIF converter, but I'm not sure how much I should spend here. Questions:
1. I don't need a DAC at all on the USB converter, correct? So if I find some cheap $15 USB sound card with an optical or coax digital, and output that straight into the Meridian, is that sufficient for optimum quality? Is there a difference between the worst optical output on a computer, and the optical output on a $1000 sound card?
3. Some USB to digital converters output at 24 bit, 192khz - would the 568.1 be able to take that signal? What would happen with it exactly, since as I understand it the 568.1 can only work with 96khz signals? Am I losing the benefits of the 568's anti-jitter and other goodies by feeding it a signal already upconverted to that level? If so, I assume I would be better off just feeding it a straight up 44.1 or 48khz signal?
Here are three options I've seen:
1. Musiland 01 USD ($70)
2. USB to coax with Burr-Brown PCM2902E This one really confuses me - it's just a straight up USB to SPDIF converter - so why is the Burr-Brown PCM2902E necessary? (I assume this is a DAC?) The computer is already outputting information in digital form, no?
This one puts out sound at 44.1/48khz so I think it might be better for my slightly antiquated 568. And it's $40.
3. A cheap "AudiMAX T1 USB" for $12USD: Audimax T1
The latter is in Chinese but it's essential a USB dongle with an optical and normal headphones output.
Thanks so much for helping me clear this up!!
