Alternative source (before DAC)?

[MontanaJustin]

So, I have a question, and it may be utterly stupid (I don't know very much about computer-as-source options, especially in regards to SQ).

Amazon Kindle - new, cool-looking electronic book reader. Can play music files. Also happens to be small, light, and has a USB out.

Sooo..., could you put lossless music files on there, use the USB out to connect into an external DAC, and from there onto an amp and headphones? And still get great sound?

For example - Kindle->HeadAmp Pico->headphones. Or a Predator, or any other portable DAC.

Basically, I'm curious if any device that has a USB out that can hold files for music has the capability (with the help of a quality DAC and Amp) of producing high sound-quality music.

Thoughts, anyone?

 

[Lord Chaos]

The short answer is: Yes.

The longer answer is: Definitely yes.

Once a file is digitized, it doesn't matter how you ship it to someplace else. USB is a standard for sending data. My main music system is a Powerbook with an offboard USB hard disk to store the music, and an offboard DAC to decode for listening. The sound quality is excellent from Apple Lossless files and I feel no need for anything better.

 

[MontanaJustin]

That is fantastic! I ordered one for my wife, and at 10 ounces, I feel like it is small and light enough to take anywhere. If I just added a Pico and a pair of cans, not only could I read books on deserted islands, but I could also listen to great-sounding music without the need to bring a laptop or a CD player or anything.

 

[MontanaJustin]

And yes, I do realize that a max memory of 4 Gigs from an SD soundcard is small, but it could still hold several albums worth of lossless music...

 

[infinitesymphony]

Unless the Amazon Kindle has an operating system that can use an external USB device like a sound card, I doubt that it's possible to use it as a digital transport. I'm guessing that the USB port is only for data transmission, and that the Kindle is not designed to send real-time digital S/PDIF audio signals over USB.

 

[MontanaJustin]

Hmm, could be a problem. I guess I'll find out more when it actually arrives and I can check it out.

Thanks for chiming in!

 

[sejarzo]

The problem is that the data stream to a USB audio device is definitely not a simple file transfer. It requires an app and driver to produce the stream from the audio data file.

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sejarzo /img/forum/go_quote.gif The problem is that the data stream to a USB audio device is definitely not a simple file transfer. It requires an app and driver to produce the stream from the audio data file.

Don't think that it can do PCM stream over USB, but please let us know.

 

[MontanaJustin]

I will

I think it could work out very nice, if it is possible.

 

[Jaw007]

I don't believe it will work for output.