Asynch USB DAC
EndersShadow
Posts: 17,590
I am in need of a Asynchronous USB DAC. I have about 100 bucks to spend on it, so I know I am looking used which doesnt bother me, depending on the source.
Here is what I need it to do:
1. Stream Hi-Res (24/192 bit)
2. Volume control through the computer, not the pre or device itself
3. Prefer (but not required) externally powered (wanting to keep the signal and power connections separate)
4. Has to work with Windows 7
Here is what I dont care if it has/does:
1. Multiple inputs
2. Optical or Coaxial Out
Before you make suggestions that dont meet the criteria above let me explain a couple things. I want this USB DAC for my car as an interface between my laptop and my external amps. As such I need the volume control on the laptop (I plan to use a Windows Media remote to control the volume, switch tracks, etc). I could very well use the gain controls on the amp if I had to, but I would have to run those as they are not currently configured. That and it would just be annoying to have to use those since I have 2 amps.
And before you say just use your Ipod, I dont own one, dont want to own one, dont plan to own one.
The end goal here is to be able to use a program like Media Monkey on a portable device I already own (hence laptop) to play FLAC files, or any other digital media files I already have in their native format.
If it works like how I want it to, I will be looking into getting a small 7 inch touchscreen monitor for my laptop that allows me to better control the laptop. If it doesnt work out so well in the car I plan to put in my 2 channel rig upstairs.
Here is what I need it to do:
1. Stream Hi-Res (24/192 bit)
2. Volume control through the computer, not the pre or device itself
3. Prefer (but not required) externally powered (wanting to keep the signal and power connections separate)
4. Has to work with Windows 7
Here is what I dont care if it has/does:
1. Multiple inputs
2. Optical or Coaxial Out
Before you make suggestions that dont meet the criteria above let me explain a couple things. I want this USB DAC for my car as an interface between my laptop and my external amps. As such I need the volume control on the laptop (I plan to use a Windows Media remote to control the volume, switch tracks, etc). I could very well use the gain controls on the amp if I had to, but I would have to run those as they are not currently configured. That and it would just be annoying to have to use those since I have 2 amps.
And before you say just use your Ipod, I dont own one, dont want to own one, dont plan to own one.
The end goal here is to be able to use a program like Media Monkey on a portable device I already own (hence laptop) to play FLAC files, or any other digital media files I already have in their native format.
If it works like how I want it to, I will be looking into getting a small 7 inch touchscreen monitor for my laptop that allows me to better control the laptop. If it doesnt work out so well in the car I plan to put in my 2 channel rig upstairs.
"....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
Post edited by EndersShadow on
Comments
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You left a 0 off the price."He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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You left a 0 off the price.
So your saying I need 1k to get something like that? I think the HRT Media Streamer II meets all those requirements (besides externally powered). Used I would think it would be about 100 bucks (since its only 150 new).
I didnt know if there were any other suggestions besides that one....or if someone had something that fit that bill they could sell me...."....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963) -
The HRT's I see only do 24/96. To do 24/192, proprietary drivers would need to be installed on your PC, which usually disable the PC's volume control at the same time.
Another option would be to use a HiFace with a standard S/PDIF DAC that can accept 24/192. FFIW, I do not like using the PC's volume control for a few reasons. One, it degrades sound quality. Second, it's too easy to accidentally play at full volume."He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche -
EndersShadow wrote: »So your saying I need 1k to get something like that? I think the HRT Media Streamer II meets all those requirements (besides externally powered). Used I would think it would be about 100 bucks (since its only 150 new).
I didnt know if there were any other suggestions besides that one....or if someone had something that fit that bill they could sell me....
The HRT Music Streamer II only does 24/96. But... with the right setup, maybe foobar 2000... I think it can transcode everything down to 24/96 that is above it...
And... looks like you are in luck!!! A friend of mine is going to let me borrow his for the weekend! So you can check it out!
DonLiving Room: Adcom GFP-750 (Upgraded), Squeezebox Touch, Oppo BDP-83, Pioneer DV-79AVi, Parasound HCA-3500 (Upgraded), SDA SRS 2 P/B (Gimpod, Sonicaps, & Mills)
Theater: Denon 4311ci, Oppo BDP-93, Parasound HCA-2205+HCA-2200II, Polk LSi9, LSiC, LSiFX, LSi7, Custom 18" TC Sounds sub with 2 18" PR, Sharp XV-Z12000, Pioneer Kuro KRP-500M (isf Enabled)
Bedroom: HK AVR354, Pioneer DV-47a, Parasound HCA-1500a, Polk LSi9 -
The HRT's I see only do 24/96. To do 24/192, proprietary drivers would need to be installed on your PC, which usually disable the PC's volume control at the same time.
Gotcha. How big a difference we talking between those two bitrates (little bit of a beginner with this particular faucet of audio)Another option would be to use a HiFace with a standard S/PDIF DAC that can accept 24/192.
I will take a look at it and see what I can come up with.FFIW, I do not like using the PC's volume control for a few reasons. One, it degrades sound quality. Second, it's too easy to accidentally play at full volume.
True but in this case I dont really have a choice as I need the volume to be controlled before the DAC unless there is something that will control ONLY the volume after the DAC that I can easily install in my car.
If I have to use a remote for skipping/moving tracks and another device for a remote I can maybe deal with that (might get a Harmony remote if both devices work).....
Still thinking..."....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963) -
According to some, nothing except a larger file size.EndersShadow wrote: »Gotcha. How big a difference we talking between those two bitrates (little bit of a beginner with this particular faucet of audio)
A quality volume pot? FYI, there are some DAC's with volume knobs built in, but I don't know how accessible the DAC will be in your case.EndersShadow wrote: »True but in this case I dont really have a choice as I need the volume to be controlled before the DAC unless there is something that will control ONLY the volume after the DAC that I can easily install in my car."He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche -
If you're going to be using the volume control on the PC then honestly I wouldn't even bother with a DAC because you're butchering the sound right there. At the most I'd just get the cheapest DAC I could find because it won't matter much.
Having the volume at anything other than 100% on the PC is going to result in a loss of sound quality. It's not HUGE, but then again neither is adding a DAC. I would say that the margin of less from controlling the sound on the PC would be equal to or greater than what you'll gain by adding a DAC. -
Ok so I have two thoughts.
1. What DAC's do 24/192? I cant find anything
2. If I end up with 24/192 AND volume control BESIDES the computer, what about the Yulong U100 USB DAC? Its got a good volume knob, 3.5m input (think IPOD or Zune), AND a headphone out (for if I want to jam out and my wife wants to drive with no music......
I could put it above my current CD player and use a set of disconnected RCA's from the back of my CD player to connect it to my amps.
My ONLY concern about that setup is that since all I can control is the volume, I would have to set crossovers/bass boost/all EQ at the amps meaning it wouldnt be super easy to tweak if I wanted more/less bass...."....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963) -
While I know cars can sound good, I wouldn't be concerned with 24/192 or asynch USB."He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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Thinking about a Squeezebox Touch + USB external HDD as my source. Gives me a DAC, remote & volume, RCA out and a native ability to play FLAC files.
Plus I can disconnect and use in the house as well
Just need to research EQ options within the Touch."....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
