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Soundcard >> DAC >> Amp?

post #1 of 2
3/19/11 at 5:37pm
Thread Starter 

This question bothered me the whole day.

 

As im looking at the HLLY DMK-IV(Gonna use it as DAC), due to its bang4buck, there is AUX in, which is RCA cable

 

Then I checked out alot desktop amp, and all the input are RCA.

 

Do I just convert 3.5mm to RCA from my soundcard?

 

Wouldn't the amp within the soundcard effect the performance of desk amp?

 

How should a regular computer be linked with a DAC and Amp?

 

PS: I know about USB option, but I read it attend not to do as good

 

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post #2 of 2
3/20/11 at 5:02am
Don't use the RCA inputs. I imagine you want to use it as a DAC, and if you use the AUX you bypass the DAC. This means you will still be using the computer's DAC.
The RCA inputs are for devices which have an RCA output, such a turntable, not a computer.

The best thing is to use the S/PDIF input (optical or coaxial), if your soundcard has such an output.
And the USB option you appear to despise is fine. S/PDIF is better because it supports 24bit instead of the 16bit the USB does, but I don't imagine anything more than a very subtle difference.

I also advice you to look at other brands as well. HLLY has a bad reputation, as far as I've read.
There are tons of other DAC/pre-amps out there, in any price range imaginable.
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