[The Fire Snake]

I am just starting to get into this hobby.  Right now I am using my Thinkpad T500 as my source along with my Desktop's integrated sound on the MOBO.  I just bought a HD650 and a SS amp.  I want to connect my amp to these sources and I was told I need a 3.5mm to RCA cable.  Is this the best way to connect to my source giving me the cleanest signal?  If this is the cable to get, what cable do you reccomend?  I don't want to spend a ton of money, but I want something that gives me a good clean connection.  Since I am so new to this, my whole system is in flux.  I will be buying and selling various pieces of gear till I find what I am looking for.  Eventually I see myself getting a nice dedicated source unit from Yamaha, Marantz etc.  Thanks!

 

[KingStyles]

Quote:

I want to connect my amp to these sources and I was told I need a 3.5mm to RCA cable.

That is probably the only way you will be able to hook it up until you get some type of dac. I would suggest picking up a dac, maybe a usb dac to make thing easy. it doesnt need to be expensive to probably get some improvement over the 3.5 to rca hook up.

 

[parskey]

yeah I would get a DAC.  The Dac really does make a large difference and is very obvious even to people without audiophile ears.

 

[gav007]

Yes, it seems the only way is to get a 3.5mm to RCA or like the others mentioned, get a usb dac