2. pc-audio
  3. 174749-170951

Computer to DAC with no USB

I have a Benchmark DAC I purchased based on quality, not connectivity. I have been trying to figure out how to connect the DAC to my computer having only an optical, coaxial, and XLR connection at my disposal.

I found an RME audio interface with optical output (and coaxial clock), will the audio interface take output from my computer, or does it only come from external inputs?

Or am I barking up the wrong tree altogether?

Thanks

ricksgiving
ricksgiving OP
24 posts
 

Thank you for your responses.

 

The idea of a DDC makes sense, but there aren’t many products on the market yet. Maybe the demand for a DDC isn’t all that high. Maybe it’s the fact that the i/o overlap so much with audio interfaces.

dCS Purcell Inputs

RME Hammerfall

As for the streamer, it’s a great idea in terms of connectivity, but I’m not looking to stream. I much prefer playing saved files.

At this point, is it a driver/software difference? The DDC provides gain, but so does a preamp, which my DAC will plug into. I dunno.

ricksgiving OP
24 posts
 

I have an ASUS Mini PC. Good processing and storage, but the motherboard is under the HDD and cooling fan. Lots of USB and video connections, though.

stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,449 posts
 

Use a usb to spdif converter    USB on computer to spdif converter spdif output to dac spdif input. Easy Peazy. 

Post removed 
sandstone
358 posts
 

+1 Stereo5

"Use a USB to S/PDIF converter"

This is a perfect solution for older DACs running in iso-synchronous mode.

Bel Canto made a great one, and they are still around on the used market.

Supports up to 24/192 PCM

 

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