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DAC/amp's how do they work?

post #1 of 9
4/11/11 at 3:54pm
Thread Starter 

Well I'm looking into a DAC, I originaly wanted somthing with optical out but then I was wondering will it still work as a DAC if it out pust through S/PDIF into an amp?

 

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post #2 of 9
4/11/11 at 4:25pm

Optical, coax, and USB are pure digital.  They cannot be feed directly into a amp.  The DAC is the device that converts the digital signal to an analog one.  This signal is then passed to the amp.


Edited by snaps11 - 4/11/11 at 4:26pm
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post #3 of 9
4/11/11 at 4:37pm
Yes. You need to run digital out from a transport, which is something like a computer's soundcard or a CD player. That digital out goes to the DAC (Digital/Analog Converter) which turns the digital signal from the transport to an analog signal that is fed to the amp for amplification.

You can get boxes that have the DAC and amp together inside. In that case, you'd hook the digital out from the transport to the box and then your headphones to the amp.

Most soundcards and CD players have internal DACs, so you can connect their analog RCA outputs directly to an amp.

If you have a good CD player, then there's no need for a DAC. Just hook it to your amp. If you want to use a CD player, you might want to buy a DAC, since computers can be electrically noisy.

I also recommend buying separate components. DAC/amp combos rarely hold value because fashionable new chipsets come out every 18-24 months. You're better off with a dedicated DAC and a dedicated amp. You'll be able to upgrade either when you want and get better resale.
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post #4 of 9
4/11/11 at 6:32pm
Thread Starter 

Yea I have been looking for a DAC as I have been noticing my music sounds SO much better off the DAC at 32ohm rather than just off my soundcard. I would like some suggestions of DACS that are in the 100-150 range, The ZeroDac was looking quite nice but the fact that I would have to buy from AudioPhile china has put me off.

 

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post #5 of 9
4/11/11 at 7:22pm
Have you considered buying used? There are lots of DACs at Audiogon.
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post #6 of 9
4/11/11 at 8:12pm
Thread Starter 

umm no now that you mention it I have yet to check Audiogon, what would be one you suggest for a good DAC? OH and the reasone why I asked if it would still work the same as using is through USB or S?PDIF is that I have a PS3, and its DAC is poop but I like to wear headphones when I game so would I have to use Optical out from the PS3 to the DAC then to my amp or could I go S/PDIF from ps3, ot dac, then to amp? Sorry if this seems confusing.

 

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post #7 of 9
4/11/11 at 8:16pm
Thread Starter 

Oh god I just realised I said S/PDIF but I meant the Red and White RCA L&R out puts if that clears anything up.


Edited by WhiteCrow - 4/11/11 at 8:24pm
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post #8 of 9
4/11/11 at 10:01pm
Well, I'm not as up on DACs as I was five years ago. You'd be better off getting an opinion from someone else. Though don't discount the older DACs - some of the cheap old ones have cult followings.

I don't know too much about the PS3, either. If it has digital out (I seem to think it does) you can run that to your DAC. Some DACs have more than one digital input, too. The red/white jacks are the RCAs, and they're connected to the PS3's internal DAC. You can run those to an amp. If you want to run multiple RCA cables to an amp, you can use a switchbox. Radio Shack makes a decent one for $20. You can also build your own and there are more expensive ones available.
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post #9 of 9
4/11/11 at 10:29pm
Thread Starter 

Alright, yes the PS3 has a digital output and can output in optical and RCA so I was wondering if it would function as a DAC through RCA instead of an amp.

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