[Wordsquirrel]

Hi.
I acknowledge that if I search for this topic I will eventually find info, but I got tired.
 
1) I ultimately want digital out from my PC (via usb, coax, or fibre) to go to my integrated DAC which will accept any of the aforementioned connectors. I want the signal to be purely digital and unadultered along the way.
 
2) What software is typically recommended for this? How do I ensure that there is no loss from PC to AMP (well, DAC)? 
 
3) Will iphone to USB port in the DAC be pure digital transmission, or the iphone put out an analogue only signal? 
 
4) What software will allow (easy) playing of FLAC sound?
 
These are probably well-posed problems with easy solutions, but I'm too dumb and grumpy for the moment. My search will continue. In the mean time, I appreciate your help.
 
Kris
 
I think my amp is a NAD 375BEE with the DAC integrated.
...For fun, but not really relevant, my speakers are Sonus Fabers. I have a Roland V-Piano in the system as well..

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

Hi.
I acknowledge that if I search for this topic I will eventually find info, but I got tired.
 
1) I ultimately want digital out from my PC (via usb, coax, or fibre) to go to my integrated DAC which will accept any of the aforementioned connectors. I want the signal to be purely digital and unadultered along the way.
 
2) What software is typically recommended for this? How do I ensure that there is no loss from PC to AMP (well, DAC)? 
 
3) Will iphone to USB port in the DAC be pure digital transmission, or the iPhone put out an analogue only signal? 
 
4) What software will allow (easy) playing of FLAC sound?
 
These are probably well-posed problems with easy solutions, but I'm too dumb and grumpy for the moment. My search will continue. In the mean time, I appreciate your help.
 
Kris
 
I think my amp is a NAD 375BEE with the DAC integrated.
...For fun, but not really relevant, my speakers are Sonus Fabers. I have a Roland V-Piano in the system as well..

Your NAD 375BEE is not a DAC and does not contain a DAC feature.
It is a stereo 2-channel amplifier, all analog, nothing digital about it.
For $52 (plus cables), you can connect the Hifiman Sabre USB DAC, connects between the computer's USB port and the analog RCA (red/white) inputs on the NAD 375BEE.
 
 
The cheapest DAC that connect to the iPhone's LOD port is the HRT iStreamer, $155, it's really meant to be used at a desk or table, not on the move.
To me, the best thing to do with an iPhone (or iPod) is to get a Fiio E11 and a LOD to 3.5mm cable.
 
Try using Foobar2000 to play audio files on your PC.

 

[Wordsquirrel]

I appreciate this advice.
I bought a module dac that fits into the amp. Called Mdc-DAC.
Not sure if link works, but googling the nad 375 DAC finds it.

http://nadelectronics.com/products/hifi-mdc-modules/MDC-DAC

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

I appreciate this advice.
I bought a module DAC that fits into the amp. Called Mdc-DAC.
Not sure if link works, but googling the NAD 375 DAC finds it.
http://nadelectronics.com/products/hifi-mdc-modules/MDC-DAC

Cool, PCM1796 DAC chip.
So all you'll need is a USB (male A to male B) cable and an optical cable.
The USB cable is just plug in and the PC should automatically make the connection.
For optical, you will need to set your PC's to "S/PDIF optical output", in control panel is the "sound" section, in the "playback" tab.
The optical connection will allow you to use more features of your motherboard's built in audio, if you even us them.
Otherwise using the USB is easier. Set sample rate to 24-bit/44.1KHz for music audio.

 

[Wordsquirrel]

Thanks. So the way I understand things, is that it matters not whether my PC output is via a fancy soundcard S/PDIF output or just the integrated motherboard digital out; it should all be a carbon copy of the 1's and 0's, which then are converted in the external Amp/DAC setup I have? Is that true? I do not plan to use software from the PC, I just want unadultered digital sound, let the DAC do all the work.
 
Thanks for the software tips as well.

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

Thanks. So the way I understand things, is that it matters not whether my PC output is via a fancy soundcard S/PDIF output or just the integrated motherboard digital out; it should all be a carbon copy of the 1's and 0's, which then are converted in the external Amp/DAC setup I have? Is that true? I do not plan to use software from the PC, I just want unadultered digital sound, let the DAC do all the work.
 
Thanks for the software tips as well.

There "might" be a issue of the quality of the optical output port on the motherboard verses the one on a $200 sound card. but I have no hard facts to base this on.
I would say to try both motherboard's optical and USB, see if you can hear a difference, but I doubt there would be much, if any difference.
Try Foobar2000.

 

[Wordsquirrel]

Since my piano has two outputs (one L and one R, each with two output channels), both will not go to the amp simultaneously using the RCA cables (since each input is limited to only two RCA cables, not four). What is the best way to get all (four?) signals to the amp?
Should I just use the mic out jack with two channels? What's the difference?