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Windows PC to USB DAC. How do you do it ?

I am in the process of trying to integrate my laptop computer into my audio system and was planning on purchasing a DAC with a USB input. However, I am not sure how I get a digital stream of data out of my computer, more specifically, using Window Media Player which is what I have used for my music handling on my pc. I have heard I need to buy a sound card for my laptop, but I cant seem to get more information, nor, how I would still direct the music from WMP to the sound card.
Any help greatly appreciated !
Thanks,
Mark
markny
sidssp
1,077 posts
 
You don't need to buy a sound card. All you need to do is connect your laptop to the DAC using a USB cable and you can use Windows Media Player to play music through the DAC. Windows should recognize most USB DAC automatically upon connection. Some DACs may require a driver to be installed first.
mrmb's avatar
mrmb
299 posts
 
Take a peek at Wavelength Audio's DAC site. It contains good information re. PC to DAC interfaces.

http://www.usbdacs.com/

The Computer Audio Asylum forum also contains lots of helpful information.
http://www.audioasylum.com/scripts/tv.pl?forum=pcaudio&s=1

-Mike
ajahu
306 posts
 
You may also try the apogee rosetta 200 with inbuilt firewire card.
scramman
43 posts
 
Look at the thread I just had going for "USB DAC".

You don't need a sound card, you'll be going right from a USB port to your DAC.

There are many options for a USB DAC. It just depends on how much you have to spend. You can get a pretty decent one for under $200.
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