Could my ps3 be used with a usb dac ?

polkfarmboy

I am looking for some cheapo dacs and the HRT music Streamer II is supposed to be the best costing only $150

I will use it with the laptop through the tube amp but my question is can a usb dac be used with the ps3

cstmar01

Those DAC's will not normally due mutli channel at all. It would have to be a 2 channel only stream of data sent to the dac in order for it to work and also I'm not 100% sure what the PS3 has for digital outs.


If you want to do mulit channel say for HT type of stuff or mutli channel SACD then you would be looking at a higher end DAC normally.

cnh

The answer is 'YES'. The PS3 can output a bitstream through its Toslink optical out. You would hook your DAC unit to that and bypass the PS3s internal DACs.

But as C..01 suggests, that would be easiest for two channel. The PS3 can output multi-channel DVD tracks from that output but then you'd need to output to a dedicated pre-amp that could decode Dolby Digital and DTS?

I suspect you're merely asking about 2 channel, though. So you're good.

cnh

olilugo

In my opinion this is not the optimal way to use the MS II DAC. this particular DAC has a usb input and RCA out. it is design especifically for
PC usb -> usb on MSII DAC -> RCA out on MSII DAC -> pre-amp/AVR CD in(speciffically for volume control) -> amp(optional if AVR is used -> speakers.

I actually tried going PCusb -> DAC -> self power studio monitor speakers and the solution did not work so well because I was not able to easily control the volume.

If the PS3 has USB audio out capability then yes you should be able to use this DAC.
if you have to use coax/ooptical out then you will need to convert from coax/optical to USB... again not the best approach for this particular DAC.

What you need is an exteranl DAC that has optical/coax input capability.

cnh

olilugo wrote: »

What you need is an exteranl DAC that has optical/coax input capability.

AGREED! I don't think he'd be using a DAC unit on his computer? The idea, if I'm not mistaken, since I do this myself, is to STREAM wirelessly a LOSSLESS file on his hard drive DIRECTLY to the PS3 (since it has wireless capability). The PS3 simply receives that digital signal and outputs it from its toslink.

Actually, you shouldn't even bother with a USB unit if you do that...don't need it. Just get a good DAC box, it will probably have 'everything' you need on it...inputs, outputs, etc. As olilugo suggests in his final sentence above.

cnh

polkfarmboy

Well my wife spends alot of time on the laptop so I need something I can put on the ps3 when she is using it .

I had a look and I dont think there is anything on the used market that has usb and optical that could beat the HRT for under $200 ..... or is there?

olilugo

Most of the external DACs I have seen that include an optical connection, it turns out that the optical is an out connection, not intended for input.

most of these dacs are USB input DAC's. for example http://www.headfonia.com/the-new-recommendation-the-yulong-u100-usb-dac/
if you see the back of this unit it has an optical conection but it tuns out it is used as an Output.
same with this one. http://www.headfonia.com/musiland-02-24192-for-120/

olilugo

Something like this is what you need...
http://www.headfonia.com/dr-dac2-dx/

but the price just jumped to $375.

cnh

Am I right? Are you STREAMING to the PS3 because if so, all you need is something like this...it has USB, COAX, TOSLINK INPUTS and RCA outputs! It was also a very popular entry-level DAC when it first came out. There is also a unit recommended by someone on this site for under 200 a while back but I can't remember the maker at the moment.

http://www.musicalfidelity.com/products/V-Series/V-DAC/V-DAC.asp MSRP 299

The trouble with all these units is that you can GO UP THE FOOD CHAIN for MORE AND MORE MONEY!

http://www.musicalfidelity.com/products/M1-Series/M1DAC/M1DAC.asp MSRP 699


cnh