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Basic Question: What is Needed to use a DAC?

Many are beyond me here, I am lost as to the basics for a system that can take advantage of a DAC. In my audio system, I have a conventional CD player connected via RCAs into an integrated amplifier. I also have a separate Dell PC operating Windows XP in another room. Where do I begin? Where are hookups made? From the reviews I am considering a KETEC 131.1 DAC, but am clueless about what to do with it. Cables, connections, other devices needed? Help appreciated.
soundbit
joeylawn36111
574 posts
 
To use a dac, the playback device must have a 'digital out'. For your PC, you can use a USB port for digital out, but the dac must have a USB input - increasingly popular among newer dacs.
tobias
1,534 posts
 
Your CD player needs to have a digital output on the back panel. Usually this is a single RCA jack.

You unplug your CD player's left and right analog output cables and plug them into the DAC's analog outputs instead. Then you connect your player to the DAC's input using that back panel output jack and the DAC's digital input jack. For this connection you need a single cable made expressly for a digital signal, and in the great majority of cases it should be 1.5 meters long for the best sound.

Other devices... well, if you can unplug the stock power cord on your player and substitute a better one, that will improve the sound. Same goes for the DAC. You don't have to do it, though, the setup will still work OK without. You can put your player and DAC up on antivibration footers too. All CD players I have known benefit from this.
dreadhead
353 posts
 
I want to use my Sony DVP-NS77H as my CD transport. It has a Digital out and an Optical jack in the back. Which one would be better suited for a DAC, Thanks.
tobias
1,534 posts
 
Use the digital out. Optical cables are mostly plastic and inferior to the metal
cable you'd use on the digital out. If you can find a glass optical cable, though,
that might be worth a try.
lokie's avatar
lokie
528 posts
 
For the computer, get a Hag USB/SPDIF converter which will allow you to go USB out (of the computer) into the Hag usb then SPDIF (conventional digital cable) out to the SPDIF port of a DAC. Then RCA out of the DAC into your Pre Amp.

There are more complicated and expensive ways to go but this will get you started without much effort and sound good too.
The Hagerman USB converter cost around $100.

Check out how to set up the computer at Wavelength's Audio USB DAC website(www.usbdacs.com).

If you want to be really cool, set this up on ITunes (pc or apple computer) and use an Iphone for your remote. It will have album art, playlists, volume control, web radio, etc..
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