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Getting Into PC Audio and Need Help

I have a full blown 2 channel audio system, but I want to dive into PC Audio and have no idea what I'm doing but I think I have most of what I need, and am on the right track... I still need help though.

I have copied my cd collection onto my home PC (Dell Computer) with Windows Media 10 in Lossless format.

I have an Esoteric D-03 DAC already. Here is info on this dac:

http://www.esoteric.jp/products/esoteric/d03/indexe.html

What is the best way to connect my PC to Esoteric D-03 DAC? Do I need a seperate clock? The D-05 has a word clock input and a word clock output feature, so I'm not sure if I could use it's internal clock. Please explain what addional components (if any) I need, along with cables. Please also explain connections.
roor
ballan
184 posts
 
First, you have an excellent DAC. I recommend you talk with Esoteric and your dealer to get their suggestion. Esoteric provides some external "clocks" and options that will allow better integration. You've already invested in the DAC, so you should give them first chance to provide a solution.

I don't know the rest of your system, but that DAC with allow world class performance.
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
The DAC has toslink as well as spdif and balanced inputs. If the dell has toslink out, try it with a good cable. If not, you need to make a decision. Go with a Lynx internal PCI card to feed dac a balanced input or go outboard route and get a PC interface to dac interface converter. The pro-audio world has quite a few of these format converters (do not inlude a dac as your Esoteric will be the dac). I would probably go with the PC card but I have been experimenting and I find even laptop too noisey and have used a wireless solution. See how loud the Dell is. It may impact your decision.
jdoris
972 posts
 
computeraudiophile.com
4est
507 posts
 
The included iLink (firewire) ought to be a nicely implemented input, but you will need a computer that has one. Nearly all macs have firewire, but you may need a firewire card for your Dell. As suggested, asking the dealer is a good idea.
peter_s
1,348 posts
 
Another option is an Empirical Audio Offramp, which is a very high quality, asyncronous, USB to coax or toslink converter. Maximum distance for USb is around 5 meters, so this effects what will work in your system layout.
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