[educator]

When I try to connect my laptop with realtek alc880 to my zhaolu dac, I get no signal. I can play cd's to the coax input on the zhaolu and I can connect my computer to the zhaolu with the m-audio sonica through the optical input.

Could there be a software conflict between the alc880 and the sonica? The realtek works fine through the built in speaker in the laptop but when I plug in the digital cable, there is no signal.

Any ideas would be most appreciated.

 

[Bones13]

Are you positive your laptop even has SPDIF out? Digital out to a DAC is not the same as line out to an amp/speakers. If it does, it should have some sort of control in the audio control software.

The only laptops with SPDIF out that I am sure of are the new macbooks with optical out.

 

[Whitewind]

alc880 does have optical, but u need to turn it on with the Realtek control panel (forgot the name). once in there u need to select spdif on/off, also if u have the sample rate too high (eg. 96khz) then the zhalou might not beable to handle it