how to connect external amp to my DAP, and other questions

[mgh24]

I am trying to find a solution to having an adequate am that I can use at work.

I have a Schitt Magni/Modi stack at home that I am perfectly happy with, but it will not function on my work PC. At first I blamed it on the fact that the work PC has Windows 8 Enterprise, so possibly no drivers, but I have since found out the my Schitt stack has not worked on a total of 3 separate PCs I have connected it to (it has worked on two separate laptops). Because of this, I will not again own another piece of Schitt.

I bought an inexpensive DAP, the Xduoo X3, which I am happy with, but it severely lacks punch in the low end, compared to the Magni/Modi. It does have line out.

I have tried internet searches, but cannot any place find out how to use this line out to connect to a more powerful amp. I cannot be the first person that this is new to!

A couple of questions for you more knowledgeable than myself.

1. How do I connect my DAP to an external amp, or DAC/amp using the line out? I expected to see a simple 3.5 line in on the amp, but in pictures of the amps I have looked at, I do not see a line in that looks like that.
   
   
2. Suggestions for an external amp, DAC/amp – preferably one that will not add color, with enough power to give me the same quality that I get from the Schitt combo (in the same price range?). When I began getting in to mid-fi, the Schitt stack was often mentioned as a very neutral combination, and I do like how it sounds, and have headphones that match my sound preference.
   
   
3. I’m leaning towards a semi-portable amp, but there would be advantages to having another USB DAC/amp, but it would have to be able to function with Windows Enterprise. IT at the company I work for considers you akin to the devil should you ask for a driver to be installed, so it would have to be plug and play with Enterprise.
   

Maybe I should have a separate thread for the USB amp with Enterprise?

Thanks for help figuring this out.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

How do I connect my DAP to an external amp...I expected to see a simple 3.5 line in on the amp, but in pictures of the amps I have looked at, I do not see a line in that looks like that.

...or DAC/amp using the line out?

You can't connect a player that has no digital output to a Digital to Analogue Converter.

Suggestions for an external amp... – preferably one that will not add color, with enough power to give me the same quality that I get from the Schitt combo (in the same price range?). When I began getting in to mid-fi, the Schitt stack was often mentioned as a very neutral combination, and I do like how it sounds, and have headphones that match my sound preference.

Meier Corda Rock

I’m leaning towards a semi-portable amp

Meier Corda Rock. Around the same size as a Magni, no external power brick.

but there would be advantages to having another USB DAC/amp, but it would have to be able to function with Windows Enterprise. IT at the company I work for considers you akin to the devil should you ask for a driver to be installed, so it would have to be plug and play with Enterprise.

I'd forget about a DAC-HPamp with that OS.

 

[mgh24]

Thank you! That was exactly what I needed to know.

 

[mgh24]

I understand my headphones need analog, hence a DAC if coming out of the digital out. Can I use the same 3.5 - RCA cable to come out of headphone jack and in to an external amp?

 

[ProtegeManiac]

I understand my headphones need analog, hence a DAC if coming out of the digital out. Can I use the same 3.5 - RCA cable to come out of headphone jack and in to an external amp?

I just explained that problem. Your DAP has no digital output to begin with (and you won't be using the computer), your DAP has a DAC chip inside it (this is not always like the distinction between a CD transport unit and a CDP - in fact the only thing that comes close to a CD transport is a music server), so you connect the analogue line output from the DAP to the amplifier using that 3.5mm cable.

 

[mgh24]

Then what is the line out for? Its just another analog out?

Xduoo website states that connecting to the line out "The volume will auto set to maximum on line out connection." What is the point of that?

So yes, you are correct, I am completely missing the point of this line out function. Is there no such thing as a digital line out?

Thanks for your patience in explaining this.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Then what is the line out for? Its just another analog out?

It's a fixed voltage line out, as opposed to a variable line out like a preamp output or a headphone output that runs through the preamp circuit plus the amplifier output stage.

Xduoo website states that connecting to the line out "The volume will auto set to maximum on line out connection." What is the point of that?

To connect an amplifier. Look at a CDP - you don't connect an amplifier to the variable headphone output in front, which has a potentiometer and an amplifier output stage.

DAP circuit using headphones: Processor/storage >> DAC chip/s >> analogue output stage >> headphoone amplifier output stage (preamp is usually digital, or digitally controlled, using an analogue circuit right before the amp output stage) >> headphone

DAP circuit using line out: Processor/storage >> DAC >> analogue output stage >> external amplifier >> headphone

Fixed voltage mimics how a CDP outputs 2volts as per Sony redbook standard, which is what most amps are designed to accept. Variances in spec can give you a very clean 1.8v or still clean 2.2v. Battery powered devices like iPods and some DAPs output 1.2v or less, but the Fiio X1II, X5, and X7 output 1.9volts.

So yes, you are correct, I am completely missing the point of this line out function. Is there no such thing as a digital line out?

There is. Just not on that DAP. You need an Ibasso or a Fiio DAP, but not the X1 or M3.

 

[mgh24]

Thank you very much! I'll see how the Xduoo does with line out to my amp, then decide if I want something with a digital line out.

Your explanation is appreciated.

 

[tuanchelseaf4]

I just explained that problem. Your DAP has no digital output to begin with (and you won't be using the computer), your DAP has a DAC chip inside it (this is not always like the distinction between a CD transport unit and a CDP - in fact the only thing that comes close to a CD transport is a music server), so you connect the analogue line output from the DAP to the amplifier using that 3.5mm cable.
[/QUOTE

Can I use that cable use metioned with Denon mini amp.I have DX150 and i want to use my dap as a DAC via line out.is it possilie

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Can I use that cable use metioned with Denon mini amp.I have DX150 and i want to use my dap as a DAC via line out.is it possilie

Yes that's possible

 

[funkymartyn]

Mgh24......I use the Fiio m7 and Xduoo X3. I use the headphone out on both for any headphones, earbuds, iem..etc ....no probs.....and then I also use a Y lead like in pic above to go from the Line out and connect the two rca ends into my hifi amp , use the auxiliary, or any spare ...then use the hifi amp volume...it works fine...you can also go from the x3 Line out with 3.5mm to 3.5mm lead into a portable amp , or even a speaker....and use the speaker or portable amp to control volume ......all work fine.