Home Digital Drive

Upsamplers, DACs, jitter, shakes and analogue withdrawals, this is it.

RE: Best digital source for my system, asking advice

There are many options to choose from, and since I'm also a Mac user, I'll share my approach. My notion is to use a computer port that is dedicated to the digital signal (shared as a 3.5mm stereo mini-plug headphone jack) rather than use a multi-function USB port which tends to be noise-prone.

The key is to use a state of the art glass digital optical mini-Toslink to Toslink cable such as the Lifatec Silflex Glass Toslink cable from the Apple mini-Toslink digital optical port into a Monarchy Audio DIP (Digital Interface Processor) which reduces jitter, re-clocks the S/PDIF signal, and converts the digital optical interface to a 75 Ohm S/PDIF coaxial output jack or AES/EBU digital output jack for use with any DAC that features a digital coaxial rca input jack, or AES/EBU digital XLR input jack. From that point on, it's up to the downstream audio gear to present the audio signal, including the quality of the digital cable connected to the DAC.

The potential downside depending on your goals is that a USB interface is capable of outputting higher resolution audio files, while the mini-Toslink digital audio output function should be considered equivalent more or less to a high-quality Red Book source component, IME. Musicality is not so terribly dependent on very high-resolution files to be satisfactory, so you'll need to decide how important very high resolution is for your own wants/needs.


This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
  Parts Connexion  


Follow Ups Full Thread
Follow Ups

FAQ

Post a Message!

Forgot Password?
Moniker (Username):
Password (Optional):
  Remember my Moniker & Password  (What's this?)    Eat Me
E-Mail (Optional):
Subject:
Message:   (Posts are subject to Content Rules)
Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Upload Image:
E-mail Replies:  Automagically notify you when someone responds.