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Do i need a USB DAC

post #1 of 12
7/26/10 at 11:03am
Thread Starter 

I am planning on buying the Audio GD Roc, and do i need the Benchmark DAC1 USB, or just a regular Benchmark.

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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Benchmark - DAC-1 Black
post #2 of 12
7/26/10 at 1:07pm

Depends if you need to hook it up to your computer using USB.

TOSLINK, Coaxial and XLR works great as well, so if you plan to use one of them I guess you can save a bit of money and go for the non-USB one.

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post #3 of 12
7/26/10 at 1:29pm
Thread Starter 

So the regular DAC1 would work just fine, so what would i use, the optical cable to the Roc?
 

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post #4 of 12
7/26/10 at 2:02pm

No, you probably want to place the DAC before the Roc, and hence use analog interconnects between them (RCA or XLR).

You need to feed the DAC1 in some way though, from your transport (Asus Computer?). That is where the USB, TOSLINK or coaxial come into place.

 

Transport (computer) -> Digital -> Benchmark DAC1 -> analog -> Audio GD Roc -> Headphone

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post #5 of 12
7/26/10 at 2:15pm
Thread Starter 

What cables should i use?

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post #6 of 12
7/26/10 at 2:32pm
Use whatever cables you already have. They're fine. If you want something with attractive sleeving, you have a few options. You can apply Techflex yourself to a cable you already have, build your own cable or buy one from Blue Jeans.

You'll hear lots and lots of claims about magical performance improvements. Don't buy it. Most of those claims are made by people who make money selling them. If you look into DIY cables, you'll realize just how much profit there is in cables. You're smart enough to connect the dots.
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post #7 of 12
7/26/10 at 2:46pm
Thread Starter 

Yes, but krmathis said to not get the USB version, and there arent to many other cables i can connect.

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post #8 of 12
7/26/10 at 2:49pm

*face palm*

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post #9 of 12
7/26/10 at 2:59pm
Thread Starter 

As seen on these two pictures listed below, i will need two XLR connectors for both the left and right channels. Correct?

 

http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/Roc/Roc13.jpg

 

http://pic5.audiogon.com/i/c/f/1278277656.jpg

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post #10 of 12
7/26/10 at 4:15pm


Yeah, I quickly realized this market was serious money making. When you buy your own parts it costs 1/3 of the price its being sold for.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Uncle Erik View Post

Use whatever cables you already have. They're fine. If you want something with attractive sleeving, you have a few options. You can apply Techflex yourself to a cable you already have, build your own cable or buy one from Blue Jeans.

You'll hear lots and lots of claims about magical performance improvements. Don't buy it. Most of those claims are made by people who make money selling them. If you look into DIY cables, you'll realize just how much profit there is in cables. You're smart enough to connect the dots.
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post #11 of 12
7/27/10 at 1:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cifani090 View Post

Yes, but krmathis said to not get the USB version, and there arent to many other cables i can connect.


Well, I did not say so.

I said "Depends if you need to hook it up to your computer using USB.". In short: if USB is your only or preferred interface, then of course you want the Benchmark DAC1 USB. But if TOSLINK, Coaxial or XLR is your preferred interface I guess you can save a bit of money and go for the non-USB one.

 

All depending how and what you plan to hook the DAC1 up to.

 


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by cifani090 View Post

As seen on these two pictures listed below, i will need two XLR connectors for both the left and right channels. Correct?

 

http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/Roc/Roc13.jpg

 

http://pic5.audiogon.com/i/c/f/1278277656.jpg


Yes. One cable for each each channel (left and right), two in total, where each cable have two connectors (one in each end).


Edited by krmathis - 7/27/10 at 2:03am
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post #12 of 12
7/27/10 at 2:24am

I'm saving up for Ayre QB9 USB Dac now.

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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Benchmark - DAC-1 Black
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