[afternoon025]

HI you guys,
i'm waiting my benchmark dac1 coming.

plan to use with cd platine but as i'm sitting before my computer more than cd player,so i think should get a usb sound card for him.
my portable pc is IBM T60,has only usb port,no optique,no coaxial.
what should i buy?
anyone has kinda experience?
many thx

 

[blessingx]

Since you have a laptop, have you considered a Squeezebox or Airport Express to use even when your computer is elsewhere in the house?

 

[afternoon025]

Quote:

Originally Posted by blessingx /img/forum/go_quote.gif Since you have a laptop, have you considered a Squeezebox or Airport Express to use even when your computer is elsewhere in the house?

sorry,i'm a numb in PC-hifi

what's that exactely?wireless?
i may just looking a sound card who can well transform USB to COAX. or OPTIQUE.exsit this kinda thing?

 

[afternoon025]

what about E-MU 0404 usb?

 

[blessingx]

Yes, they are both wireless.

Transporter® & Squeezebox™ Wireless Network Music Players - Every room deserves a soundtrack
Apple - AirPort Express

If you're just looking for optical there's always the Turtle Beach Audio Advantage Micro. Also some USB E-MU and M-Audio products.

EDIT: You beat me to it.

Yes the 0404 would work.

 

[[L]es]

second on the emu 0404 usb. it's got a very clean digital out.

 

[afternoon025]

thx,you guys
will a emu 0404 be a little bit waste?
i means it should get a good dac itself right?

 

[[L]es]

it's an ok dac in itself.. there are many better though.

 

[afternoon025]

so how a 0404usb+dac1 sounds different from dac1 usb?

 

[Fungi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by afternoon025 /img/forum/go_quote.gif so how a 0404usb+dac1 sounds different from dac1 usb?

Yes and no. Depends on how you feel about digital transport quality and USB audio quality.
In the first setup, you're using the 0404 to get digital audio data through USB into the form of digital coaxial, and then sending that to the DAC1 to convert to analog. In the second setup, the DAC1 is pulling digital data off USB and converting that to analog.
In the end, both use the DAC1 as the DAC and I wouldn't expect any significant difference in quality (disregarding sample rates).

 

[latershow]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fungi /img/forum/go_quote.gif In the end, both use the DAC1 as the DAC and I wouldn't expect any significant difference in quality (disregarding sample rates).

Are u saying the digital out from a laptop is equivalent to the digital out of a emu 0404 connected to laptop?

 

[afternoon025]

Quote:

Originally Posted by latershow /img/forum/go_quote.gif Are u saying the digital out from a laptop is equivalent to the digital out of a emu 0404 connected to laptop?

i think what FUNGI means is digital out from "laptop=>usb part(sorry dont know what it calls

) of dac1usb"and "laptop=>emu0404"

 

[Fungi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by latershow /img/forum/go_quote.gif Are u saying the digital out from a laptop is equivalent to the digital out of a emu 0404 connected to laptop?

In theory, if they are both bit perfect and the same sample rate then yes. I know there are people of the opinion that clock/jitter etc make all the difference and I'm not able to deny that (or confirm it); just saying that for now it shouldn't be an issue.
And yes, my original post's meaning is as afternoon025 says.

 

[John Reeves]

Hi,

I would recommend you return the DAC-1 and get a DAC-1 USB. Benchmark will normally let you do this within 30 days.

You can switch the input on the front panel and cut out additional links in the chain which can lead to degradation in sound quality. Basically what you are contemplating is buying an external USB converter and connecting this to your Benchmark. Whatever you buy for this, you will be paying for an additional DAC which in your system would be redundant.

Look for the thread on the USB version which although very long will answer all your questions.

Cheers

John

 

[Matias]

I would recommend NOT to buy the USB version and buy the regular DAC1. Use a proper ASIO soundcard and the quality is better.