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Optical to XLR?

post #1 of 8
4/1/11 at 5:15pm
Thread Starter 

I have an amp that has only 1x XLR and 1x RCA input. My source (Auzentech Forte) has 1x Digital Output. Is there any way I can convert my optical cable to XLR?

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post #2 of 8
4/1/11 at 8:53pm

What you're looking for is a DAC.  There is no such thing as a cable that converts digital to analog.  For a cheaper option you could just connect your sound card with a mini to RCA cable to your amp.  

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post #3 of 8
4/1/11 at 10:07pm

Are you talking about an integrated receiver, or an amplifier?

 

If you're talking about strictly an amplifier, it sounds like you've got a mono amp and connecting a digital signal to it would do nothing except possibly damage your amp while futilely attempting to get a signal lock .  A DAC needs to go between your soundcard and amplifier.

 

If the XLR and RCA connections on your "amp" are really digital inputs on an integrated receiver, and you want to use the optical digital out on your soundcard, you will need an optical (TOSlink) to coaxial (RCA) converter.  You can do a search on google and find one.  They cost about $20 - $30, but will only add more jitter to your signal so are not recommended.  But in this case it would be your only choice short of getting another soundcard with a coaxial digital output, or a different receiver.


Edited by IPodPJ - 4/1/11 at 10:09pm
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post #4 of 8
4/2/11 at 6:58am

What is your amp?  That would clear this up.

 

And FYI, your card can do S/PDIF via coaxial or optical, and it can definitely do line-level output as well for an analog connection.

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post #5 of 8
4/2/11 at 7:44am
Thread Starter 

The amp is a KGSS Electrostatic amp from HeadAmp. And yes, my card can output both coaxial and optical.

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post #6 of 8
4/2/11 at 10:47am

Okay, so it has stereo analog RCA and XLR connections.

 

Well, to go directly from the card to the amp, you need a stereo 3.5mm (mini-TRS) to RCA cable, if you didn't know that already.  Like this.  I would start with that, in the length you need.

 

Otherwise you'll need a DAC (digital to analog converter).  You can get a USB one or one that will take the S/PDIF output (either coaxial or optical) from your card, your choice.

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post #7 of 8
4/2/11 at 11:44am

The idea of using a computer sound card as a DAC for a KGSS sends shivers down my spine.  You better start looking for a balanced DAC.

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post #8 of 8
4/2/11 at 12:50pm

I used my Iriver as a source for my SRM717/007 when I was an idiot and thought all sources were the same. If you scour the archives you may even be able to find piksures

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