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USB to DAC questions

Well, yes I have gone through many stages of what route I think I want to go for my new system... coming all the way from using a Zune for a player.

Now, from doing some reading on here, it sounds like the cheapest way (im on a super budget) to get great sound from my computer is to either go with a squeezebox or run USB to a USB-DAC. I was sold on the squeezebox... but it looks like I could pick up a used DAC for about the same price and have superior sound quality. Err, a DAC would beat a squeezebox in full a/d mode, right?

Alright, so I feel loaded with questions about a computer hookup that I didn't see any clear-cut answers to...

First, when we are talking about hooking up a USB-DAC with a USB cable... are we talking about just running the cable straight from one of the built-in motherboard USB ports... or are we talking about running it out of some additional hardware like a sound card with USB out. From what is sounded like, it was just one of the stock USB ports... but I need to make sure of this.

Second, most people here seem to favor MAC to output their USB signal from. Buying another computer would be WAY out of my budget. I am planning on running it from my workstation PC which is running XP because all my editing programs in Vista ran terribly. Yet, dual-booting to Vista just to have good audio would be ok as I already own a copy. So... just to be clear, there would be a big difference between XP and Vista when running USB out? It would be ideal to NOT have to dual-boot... but I will if there is that big of a difference. Also, has anyone been able to compare Vista sound with Mac sound?

Third, can someone elaborate on the difference between a NOS DAC and an over-sampling DAC?

Fourth, how would the Outlaw RR2150 receiver with a built-in USB DAC compare to a separate USB DAC paired with a separate amplifier?

And the last that I can think of for now... Does anyone have any opinions of the Musiland Md-10 DAC? I only ask because there is one listed on here in the classifieds at a price close to what I want to pay.

Whew, ya that was a loaded posting. I hope you guys can help me out with these questions. Thanks a ton.
djembeplay
gmood1
1,251 posts
 
Djembeplay,
If reliability is what your worried about..no need with the Paradisea.I keep mine on at all times. Up until vacation recently it had been powered up for at least 6 months non stop. Also it is well known enough at this point. You would have no problems selling it if you needed to. He's including a lot of tubes!

I also owned a Trends UD-10..it is great as a USB converter when using other Dacs. It isn't in the same league as the Paradisea as a stand alone Dac.

Actually the only way to figure out what you're looking for is to listen and experiment with different gear. As time goes on, you'll try different gear until you sort out what you like best. That's just the nature of this hobby. It will become a disease. Once infected..there is no real cure and no going back.
djembeplay OP
179 posts
 
Heh, I think I have early symptoms of the disease... as you can tell by all my posts recently.

Well that sounds good then... I think I am going to settle on the system I described in my last post. It took *tons* of research and comparing each and every component from source to speaker to get to that point... I was basically coming from knowing nothing about any of this, so its been quite a journey I would say.
musicman07
126 posts
 
Djembeplay, yeah sounds like you're well on your way to a full blown outbreak of "the disease", lol. Anyway as mentioned you really do need to listen and figure out over time what it is that you like and go forward from there. Your proposed setup looks decent, choked a bit on the Monster cabling, but as long as you don't pay retail they aren't bad.

Also as mentioned the Trends UD-10 is primarily a USB converter that can be used as a DAC, but it will not compete with something costing at least 3x the price like the Paradisea. If you get a USB DAC you'd have no use for the UD-10.

Check out http://www.empiricalaudio.com/ for more on I2S and the linked 6 Moons review.

Basically I2S is an "electrical serial bus interface standard used for connecting digital audio devices together. The I2S bus separates clock and data signals, resulting in a very low jitter connection. Jitter can cause distortion in a digital-to-analog converter."

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I²S
djembeplay OP
179 posts
 
Cool, I'll read up to see what I2S is all about.

Hmm, so you don't think monster cable is that good, huh? Man, I researched cable like crazy... people said the Z2 was really good. I also had some audioquest starquad type 4... and I couldn't get a straight answer out of anyone which would be better. The Monster Cable Z2 looked better, so I just kept that one... but I still haven't hooked it up yet... lol, too busy trying to get the rest of my system together.
ckorody
643 posts
 
The fun starts after you hook it all up - I know you crave certainty but there is a certain alchemy to bringing together a bunch of components into a great sounding system that makes you nod your head and tap your feet.

Don't even try to judge it until everything has been installed and run in together for about 100 hours. That's when you'll start to get a feeling for what you have.

Do spend a good amount of time fiddling with speaker placement - a lot of times it is a game of an inch or two to lock things in. Also try to get all your components on solid support, try to route your wires clear of the AC cords etc. And get an enhanced wall duplex when one comes up (PorterPort, Furutech, Oyaide are all names that you will see come up frequently at reasonable prices)

As you get to know your system you will hear the results of these changes - which is why you want to take your time and make them one at a time. Some things won't matter at all, some things will completely change your system (good or bad)

With that done, you can start trying different ICs, power cables, speaker cables and components (tube rolling falls somewhere in between)

Enjoy and keep reading to expand your knowledge
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