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3.5mm S/PDIF -> RCA mistake

post #1 of 7
12/25/11 at 2:04am
Thread Starter 

 

Happy Holidays :)

 

Got a hopefully easy question to answer, if someone's up for it.

 

Bought this cable, lightly used, terminated with RCA - http://www.wireworldcable.com/products/71.html

 

I thought I could connect that from my computer to my Icon HDP, but man am I a noob. The coax input on the HDP is RCA, and for some reason when I ordered the cable a while ago I was thinking the S/PDIF output on my comp (Sager NP8760 laptop) was RCA too, but of course it's mini... no idea where my head was...

 

So, to use the cable I bought, guessing I'd have to use something like this? http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10429&cs_id=1042902&p_id=7175&seq=1&format=2

 

Or, the mono version? I remember reading somewhere that mono is preferable, but no idea why... http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10429&cs_id=1042902&p_id=7174&seq=1&format=2

 

Are either of those adapters optimal, or should I just use USB instead?

There's also a 3.5mm optical input on the HDP, though not sure if the 3.5mm S/PDIF-out on my comp is compatible with that. It's probably not an optical out, eh?

 

Lastly, is there a 3.5mm -> RCA s/pdif cable anyone recommends? I found this, but not sure if it's preferable over the WireWorld/adapter combo: http://www.ramelectronics.net/audio-video/custom-audio-and-video-cables/rca-to-3-5mm-s-pdif-cables/custom-spdif-cable-digital-audio-3-5mm-to-rca/prodSPDIF.html

 

Thanks for your time ~

 

Ashii


Edited by Ashii - 12/25/11 at 2:27am
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post #2 of 7
12/25/11 at 9:57am

since you've already a nice cable, you could try a usb to spdif converter (ie: m2tech hiface)... especially with a laptop.

 

check the FS source forum for used converters (check feedback too).

 

 

 

 

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post #3 of 7
12/25/11 at 11:05pm
Thread Starter 

Hey,

 

Thanks for the reply. Wondering though, since my computer already has an S/PDIF-Out, why would going USB -> S/PDIF -> DAC be the way to go? Shouldn't I just use one of the adapters in my first post? Since, it wouldn't change the format (still s/pdif -> DAC), just the connection type (3.5mm -> rca), right?

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post #4 of 7
12/26/11 at 4:36am

you can go either way. a usb/spdif converter usually re-clock the signal to eliminate some of the jitter, and also allows to play higher resolution files.

but unless your headphones are somewhat revealing I wouldn't worry about it. it's likely you wouldn't notice a difference. 

yes you should use one of the adapter in your post.

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post #5 of 7
12/26/11 at 9:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ashii View Post

Hey,

 

Thanks for the reply. Wondering though, since my computer already has an S/PDIF-Out, why would going USB -> S/PDIF -> DAC be the way to go? Shouldn't I just use one of the adapters in my first post? Since, it wouldn't change the format (still s/pdif -> DAC), just the connection type (3.5mm -> rca), right?



That coax to mini digital cable should work for S/PDIF to S/PDIF. I wouldn't use a HiFace unless you want to convert from USB to S/PDIF.

I have that cable and I also have a HiFace with BNC.


Edited by wuwhere - 12/26/11 at 9:13am
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post #6 of 7
12/28/11 at 6:16am

That output is a mini toslink, not some sort of coaxial mini jack.  You need a totally different type of cable.

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post #7 of 7
12/29/11 at 4:19am
Thread Starter 

 

Thanks for the input, interesting that it's an optical-out.
 
For everyone's reference, I'm using a set of LCD-2's. Forgot to mention that initially.
 
Is there a nice toslink -> mini toslink cable anyone recommends? Perhaps this - http://soundapproach.com/wireworldsupernova6smoglass35minicable-p-1586.html
Or, if it's recommended to go USB with my setup instead, an equivalent high-quality USB cable?
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lenni View Post

a usb/spdif converter usually re-clock the signal to eliminate some of the jitter, and also allows to play higher resolution files.

 
If that's the advantage using a converter has over going straight USB, at what point does it become advisable to go USB -> Converter -> S/PDIF, over one of the toslink options?
 
Also curious - instead of using a toslink -> mini toslink cable with an adapter, might it be preferable to just use a mini toslink -> mini toslink cable? Just found this one - http://aphroditecu29.com/ViaBlue/DigitalMiniTOSLINK.aspx
 
Not sure how ViaBlue compares to WireWorld or others. Any input on recommended formats and/or specific cable models would be greatly appreciated!
 
Thanks all ~
 
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