[NoodleBoy91]

Hi all,
I was recently looking at the matrix m-stage, however i just have some questions.
 
As it is just an amp, how would I go about connecting it to a computer through USB?
 
How would I connect optical audio?
 
Would a DAC do this for me and if so which one?

Thank you 

 

[Oderi]

An amp amplifies analog signal so that it can be used by the headphones. Before that part of your audio chain you need something to convert digital signal to analog, i.e. a DAC (digital-to-analog converter). Any computer soundcard, including motherboard-integrated ones, have a DAC. Quite often however, it's not a very high-quality one and for example internal soundcards often hiss noticeably.

For optical signal you'll first need a DAC before feeding it to the amp. I'm using the M-Stage as well and uDac2 as my DAC, but will upgrade soon as it's not a very high quality one.

 

[NoodleBoy91]

Oh cool 
how is the M stage? 
 
Okay so would i be able to use the DAC in my FiiO E17?

 

[Oderi]

Quote:

Oh cool 
how is the M stage? 
 
Okay so would i be able to use the DAC in my FiiO E17?

I'm not familiar with Fiio dac/amps but given it's got non-amplified out, then you should be able to. I'm not sure about that though.
 
For example uDac2 has RCA out (white/red) which I connect to the RCA in of my M-Stage.