[HELP] Computer DAC?

aboroth00
aboroth00 Posts: 1,106
edited October 2013 in Electronics
My current goal for my setup is to link my computer to my system, about ~15ft away. My system composes of Revel M22, Rotel RX-1050 (thanks Mantis), and a CD player. I want the system to occasionally play music from my laptop but I'm not sure how to accomplish this. I'm not really looking for critical listening purposes but more of something that functions and sounds good. I pondered solutions such as the NAD wireless DAC, but that seems to have trouble playing with WIFI signals. Should I continue to look for wireless options or should I just bite the bullet use more wires and use a wired DAC? I have heard in prior occasions that long lengths of USB is not preferable.

Again, I'm just looking for something that functions and prefer to keep the costs as low as possible.

Any insight would be helpful!
2Ch Tube Audio Convert
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Comments

  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,086
    edited October 2013
    Real cheap option

    http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021817&p_id=9769&seq=1&format=2
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
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  • aboroth00
    aboroth00 Posts: 1,106
    edited October 2013
    Very good point. Already got one though :P. I tried running that for a while and there's always audible noise/distortion... which drives me mad! That's what i get for having accurate speakers...
    2Ch Tube Audio Convert
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited October 2013
    Squeezebox touch. Done.

    Wireless, decent dac you can bypass later and will play most computer formats and has a MOG app as well.
    "....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)
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  • zane77
    zane77 Posts: 1,696
    edited October 2013
    +1 on the Sqeezebox Touch
    Home Theater
    Onkyo PR-SC5508 Sharp LC-70LE847U
    Emotiva XPA-5 Emotiva XPA-2 Emotiva UPA-2
    Front RTi-A9 Wide RTi-A7 Center CSi-A6 Surround FXi-A6 Rear RTi-A3 Sub 2x PSW505
    Sony BDP-S790 Dishnetwork Hopper/Joey Logitech Harmony One Apple TV
    Two Channel
    Oppo 105D BAT VK-500 w/BatPack SDA SRS 2.3 Dreadnought Squeezebox Touch Apple TV
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  • aboroth00
    aboroth00 Posts: 1,106
    edited October 2013
    Wow... For being pretty young, I've been living under a rock apparently. That looks like an awesome solution. To my surprise when I popped on Amazon, it was listed for 800$! Unfortunately it seems like it's discontinued and is commanding 300$+ on eBay. I might consider it for my main system but not for this secondary setup. Something cheaper will have to do... I think my price limit for this guy is <200$.
    2Ch Tube Audio Convert
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  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,086
    edited October 2013
    Maybe you're getting distortion using the headphones to RCA's because the volume is too high on the computer or you're using a software EQ with too much bass?
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
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  • aboroth00
    aboroth00 Posts: 1,106
    edited October 2013
    Nightfall wrote: »
    Maybe you're getting distortion using the headphones to RCA's because the volume is too high on the computer or you're using a software EQ with too much bass?

    I remembered the recommendation against turning up the volume all the way to avoid noise. I always make sure there's no EQ on the computer and since it's my computer it won't have any EQ because there's never a need.

    I believe the lack of gain was due to the lack of voltage of the jack and mismatched impedances. I've also heard anecdotal claims that sound cards are inherently noisy as well. I've attributed all these factors to the inadequacies of the headphone jack for hifi systems. When my system wasn't as faithful to the signal, I went on my merry way listening to all sorts of stuff through the jack. However, as soon as I started upgrading components, that headphone cable got tossed by the way side.
    2Ch Tube Audio Convert
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  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,086
    edited October 2013
    Seems like a wired DAC is your best option.

    http://schiit.com/products/modi

    Made in the US, hard to find that anymore.

    Or for $50 more this one is capable of DSD

    http://schiit.com/products/loki
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited October 2013
    aboroth00 wrote: »
    Wow... For being pretty young, I've been living under a rock apparently. That looks like an awesome solution. To my surprise when I popped on Amazon, it was listed for 800$! Unfortunately it seems like it's discontinued and is commanding 300$+ on eBay. I might consider it for my main system but not for this secondary setup. Something cheaper will have to do... I think my price limit for this guy is <200$.

    I would post a wanted here on the forum to see if someone comes out of the woodwork with one at a more "reasonable" price. eBay and Amazon have OUTRAGEOUS prices on these units.
    Nightfall wrote: »
    Seems like a wired DAC is your best option.

    http://schiit.com/products/modi

    Made in the US, hard to find that anymore.

    Or for $50 more this one is capable of DSD

    http://schiit.com/products/loki

    Couple of our fella's here got the lower end Schitt DAC's and all 3 of them sent them back within a week, I wouldnt start there.

    If you have to go wired I cannot recommend more highly the Cambridge Audio DacMagic. I had a buddy here who bought one and I got to hear it recently. It BLEW MY MIND. It is my next DAC to pair with my Sunfire TGP-II.

    You could get the DacMagic +, but I am not sure if it add's enough to be worth it. For me the DacMagic is my next DAC.

    The last two people I know to buy the DacMagic (used mind you) spent 300 and 200 collectively, and both had the upgraded Pangea powersupply with them, so just be watching.

    Suggest looking at head-fi.org, our forum, and AK for a unit and possibly posting a wanted if you dont go the squeezebox route (which honestly is better since your not tied to your computer ever).
    "....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)
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited October 2013
    And here ya go:

    DacMagic, 175 from headfi: http://www.head-fi.org/t/685889/cambridge-audio-dacmagic
    "....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)
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  • adb3da
    adb3da Posts: 507
    edited October 2013
    If you use iTunes and are comfortable using that platform for your music than I'll add a suggestion of AppleTV or AirportExpress. Similar setup to Squeezebox but limited to the formats that iTunes supports. It's cheaper than Squeezebox and if you already have an iPhone or iPad the user interface is fantastic.
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  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,086
    edited October 2013
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    Couple of our fella's here got the lower end Schitt DAC's and all 3 of them sent them back within a week, I wouldnt start there.
    This is good to know, what happened? I didn't mean to steer anyone wrong, I've heard nothing but good things about Shiit over at headfi.
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    edited October 2013
    Nightfall wrote: »
    This is good to know, what happened? I didn't mean to steer anyone wrong, I've heard nothing but good things about Shiit over at headfi.

    The bigger dacs are OK, the smaller cheap one.....well, sounds cheap by those here who have had it.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • rooftop59
    rooftop59 Posts: 8,121
    edited October 2013
    aboroth00 wrote: »
    Wow... For being pretty young, I've been living under a rock apparently. That looks like an awesome solution. To my surprise when I popped on Amazon, it was listed for 800$! Unfortunately it seems like it's discontinued and is commanding 300$+ on eBay. I might consider it for my main system but not for this secondary setup. Something cheaper will have to do... I think my price limit for this guy is <200$.

    I don't have a touch, but I have a couple squeezebox classics lying around that work great and still have much better dacs than your average laptop. I could ship one to you for about a benjamin. PM me if you're interested...
    Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es
    Game Room 5.1.4:     Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
    Bedroom 2.1     Harmon Kardon HK3490; Bluesounds Node N130; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited October 2013
    Nightfall wrote: »
    This is good to know, what happened? I didn't mean to steer anyone wrong, I've heard nothing but good things about Shiit over at headfi.

    I will let his words speak for themselves :smile:Thread here
    rooftop59 wrote: »
    I don't have a touch, but I have a couple squeezebox classics lying around that work great and still have much better dacs than your average laptop. I could ship one to you for about a benjamin. PM me if you're interested...

    man, you guys need to stop talking about the things in your closet you have...

    P.S. that would be a good choice so as IIRC its still wireless.
    "....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)
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  • aboroth00
    aboroth00 Posts: 1,106
    edited October 2013
    LOL! Gave me a chuckle at work. I'll give those units you guys mentioned a look when I get home in about a half hour.

    Thanks all!
    2Ch Tube Audio Convert
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited October 2013
    aboroth00 wrote: »
    LOL! Gave me a chuckle at work. I'll give those units you guys mentioned a look when I get home in about a half hour.

    Thanks all!

    LOL.... your lucky I just bought a sub with my audio fund, otherwise that DacMagic wouldn't be available :smile:
    "....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)
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  • aboroth00
    aboroth00 Posts: 1,106
    edited October 2013
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    LOL.... your lucky I just bought a sub with my audio fund, otherwise that DacMagic wouldn't be available :smile:

    Talking about audio funds... This setup was just going to be a simple 2-ch setup with a tuner for cheap. I had gotten a NAD 742 for cheap which turned out to have a severe humming problem I couldn't fix. Mantis offered me his Rotel 1050 which I took him up on. I've always loved the look of 2000 era Rotel gear. Then for speakers, maybe some 2000 era Infinity speakers, then I was thinking I should get something that'll last me... Maybe some Dynaudio Audience 42's. I liked the 62's. Then came the Revel M22... Now we're talking about Dacs!
    2Ch Tube Audio Convert
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  • aboroth00
    aboroth00 Posts: 1,106
    edited October 2013
    adb3da@yahoo.co wrote: »
    If you use iTunes and are comfortable using that platform for your music than I'll add a suggestion of AppleTV or AirportExpress. Similar setup to Squeezebox but limited to the formats that iTunes supports. It's cheaper than Squeezebox and if you already have an iPhone or iPad the user interface is fantastic.

    I unfortunately am technologically backwards and I think everyone my age has a tablet except for myself. I unfortunately have an andriod phone so the apple product will probably not work for me. Neither do I use iTunes.
    2Ch Tube Audio Convert
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  • aboroth00
    aboroth00 Posts: 1,106
    edited October 2013
    rooftop59 wrote: »
    I don't have a touch, but I have a couple squeezebox classics lying around that work great and still have much better dacs than your average laptop. I could ship one to you for about a benjamin. PM me if you're interested...

    The squeezebox concept looks very promising. Why did they ever stop! I'll have to do some research into these bad boys. It seems they can do so much!
    2Ch Tube Audio Convert
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  • zane77
    zane77 Posts: 1,696
    edited October 2013
    Why they stopped is a question a lot of people ask, the touch was/is a very nice solution.
    Home Theater
    Onkyo PR-SC5508 Sharp LC-70LE847U
    Emotiva XPA-5 Emotiva XPA-2 Emotiva UPA-2
    Front RTi-A9 Wide RTi-A7 Center CSi-A6 Surround FXi-A6 Rear RTi-A3 Sub 2x PSW505
    Sony BDP-S790 Dishnetwork Hopper/Joey Logitech Harmony One Apple TV
    Two Channel
    Oppo 105D BAT VK-500 w/BatPack SDA SRS 2.3 Dreadnought Squeezebox Touch Apple TV
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