[iriverdude]

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but can quality audio not be transmitted via USB to the last step in the process: the speakers or headset?

Not unless USB can carry analogue signal. Also speaker and headphone level is amplified, USB isn't- 5v.

 

[kraychik]

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Originally Posted by iriverdude /img/forum/go_quote.gif Not unless USB can carry analogue signal. Also speaker and headphone level is amplified, USB isn't- 5v.

Cool, thanks for the information. One of the major missing links in my undderstanding of this whole process was that I didn't realize that the digital signal had to be converted to analog during the process. That's really a shame considering all the protentially great audio hardware out there that requires a USB input. I think there are many USB headsets and speaker sets that don't realize their potential because they must do the conversion of digital to analog internally and cannot benefit from high quality audio components that output via 3.5/6.5mm jacks.