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
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,430 posts
 

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

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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

 

ricksgiving OP
24 posts
 

That solution works for me. Thanks.

Ag insider logo xs@2x
jji666
539 posts
 

Looks like you are headed in the right direction with a USB-to-SPDIF converter. There are a number of them on the market that work well. Also, if budget permits and you are using software that supports streaming (Roon, Tidal, Amazon) them something like an Auralic Aries would be a great option, and probably upgrade in quality.

To reinforce, though, using standard consumer sound cards or the SPDIF output on the motherboard is not considered a best practice. Some prosumer cards and those that support ASIO drivers are an improvement, but really you want your digital stream not to be affected by all that noise inside the PC - something external is generally considered better.

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