[rwmj5]

I'm trying to get a decent signal out of my computer to a processor with a reasonably good DAC.  Not sure what route I should take though.  I'm assuming I would want something using asynchronous USB, and there are a couple of options I've seen, one is the HiFimeDIY Sabre U2 Asynchronous USB DAC, but I've also seen that the hot thing right now seems to be the XMOS U8, and there are endless options available on Ebay.  Are any of those listings even decent or are they just chinese junk?  And how does driver support work with any of these options?  My biggest requirement would probably be Spotify support so as long as it could handle that I should be fine.  I know there are some plugins or high end spotify clients that support ASIO, (ASIO bridge?) if something like that would make a difference I would probably want to go that route.

 

[PurpleAngel]

The issues with plugging a USB audio device (DAC or DAC/amp) into a Win PC, would have more to do with Windows installing the correct USB drivers, for use with the USB audio device,
then the program (like Spotify) that plays the audio file or provides the streaming audio service.
 
So just about any external (USB, optical, coaxial) DAC or DAC/amp, what works with your Win PC, should then work with whatever program (Spotify w/ASIO) that your PC uses for your music listening.
 
What is your budget?
What headphone(s) are you using?

 

[rwmj5]

I'd like to keep things under $100.  Not for headphones actually, this place just seemed to be the most active for this type of thing, especially regarding XMOS since there is an incredibly active thread on that.  It would be feeding a Nuforce AVP 16 going to an Anthem MCA-20 and B&W CM1's.

 

[buke9]

Does your pc have a optical out?

 

[rwmj5]

It does, realtek onboard audio.  I just saw a dolby didital plus setting turn itself on unknown to me, and I just dont trust it to be putting out an unadulterated signal.  I want something that I know isnt going to flip some weird switch and add unwanted processing.

 

[buke9]

It does, realtek onboard audio.  I just saw a dolby didital plus setting turn itself on unknown to me, and I just dont trust it to be putting out an unadulterated signal.  I want something that I know isnt going to flip some weird switch and add unwanted processing.

Yes some programs take over and do what they want to audio. So all you really want is USB to spdif converter as your Nuforce can handle the DAC part?

 

[rwmj5]

Basically, yes.  The Nuforce has a decent DAC so the biggest thing is just getting an SPDIF stream I can trust.  However if there is a unit that also happens to be a DAC that isn't much more money that could be an option too since it would just give me more flexibility.  

 

[buke9]

Basically, yes.  The Nuforce has a decent DAC so the biggest thing is just getting an SPDIF stream I can trust.  However if there is a unit that also happens to be a DAC that isn't much more money that could be an option too since it would just give me more flexibility.  

I doubt very much at that price point your going to find a better DAC than what's in it. If you mean for a different use then ok I see your point. I have had no dealings with the xmos so can't say. I doubt there would be much difference in any of them. Since your not talking a bunch of cash I would just pick one with good reviews and go from there.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  It does, Realtek on-board audio.  I just saw a Dolby Digital Plus setting turn itself on unknown to me, and I just don't trust it to be putting out an unadulterated signal.  I want something that I know isn't going to flip some weird switch and add unwanted processing.

 
For a Windows PC, there is a setting,
Control Panel > Sound > Playback tab
You can set the Win PC's audio output to "S/PDIF Pass through device", the digital audio signal will bypass the sound card features (like Dolby) and the digital audio signal will go straight out the S/PDIF optical output port.