|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
24.147.80.133
USB? S/PDIF? Which? Just approaching computer-served audio I'm not sure what the difference is between USB and S/PDIF computer outputs. I have two computers that have both, but DACs that don't have USB inputs, only S/PDIF, coax, AES/EBU. If I connect a computer to a DAC via S/PDIF, do I only get output from an optical drive, or do I also get hard drive output? Any differences between the two outputs to consider?
Thanks!
Follow Ups:
S/PDIF outputs from a computer motherboard or most PCI boards are poor quality. You are better off to use Async USB and get the master clock established in the outboard USB converter or USB DAC. This will reduce jitter significantly over using the S/PDIF output from the computer, which uses the clocks and power supply of the computer.
Steve N.
Aaahhhh. I get it. That helps. That's the difference between synchronous and asynchronous. I don't have a USB DAC. I know I can get one, but do really like the DACs I have now.If the S/PDIF outputs from the motherboard (what exactly is this chain? hard drive or optical drive to ? to ? to ?), what does the USB output from?
Okay, so I can though use a USB converter to convert an asynchronous USB signal to either S/PDIF or coax? Those're pretty much my input choices. Any recommendations for a converter?
What happens if I run a computer S/PDIF signal into a jitter filter, like a Monarchy DIP 24/96 or Audio Alchemy DTI Pro32? Will I get the signal cleaned up to then send to the DAC?
Thanks.
Edits: 10/31/14 10/31/14
"If the S/PDIF outputs from the motherboard (what exactly is this chain? hard drive or optical drive to ? to ? to ?)"
Playback is generally spooled to memory and then it is output via the I/O subsystem, which may include different I/O controllers, the last of which is the USB controller which outputs the data on the USB output port. This is all really unimportant when using an Async USB interface device. It is only data transfer, with the clocking information being regenerated in the device.
", what does the USB output from?"
The data comes from disk or memory, usually through the USB controller and then out a USB port.
"Okay, so I can use a USB converter to convert an asynchronous USB signal to either S/PDIF or coax?
Yes. S/PDIF is coax. S/PDIF is also Toslink.
"Those're pretty much my input choices. Any recommendations for a converter?"
pass - I'm a manufacturer
"What happens if I run a computer S/PDIF signal into a jitter filter, like a Monarchy DIP 24/96 or Audio Alchemy DTI Pro32? Will I get the signal cleaned up to then send to the DAC?"
The jitter in this signal will improve a bit. These include older technology. There are much better reclockers available now that will improve it much more.
Steve N.
propaganda. You can have:
usb output from PC to usb input dac. The usb part of the dac has two clocks for 44.1k and 48k related sampling rates. The quality of these clocks matter as much as clocks in spdif transmission and reception.
usb output from PC to a usb to spdif converter. A very good implemementation costs e99 diy and you can get excellent results.
The two kinds of outputs are very dependent on implementation and power supply quality.
The sellers of usb dacs often omit a spdif input and therefore trumpets the 'async' operation. It's an easy sell.
Several of the best sounding high end converters rely on usb to spdif conversion.
If I connect a computer to a DAC via S/PDIF, do I only get output from an optical drive, or do I also get hard drive output?
It works a bit different.
You have a media player and you choose an audio device (on board speakers, SPDIF, Bluetooth) whatever is available.
Whatever this media players is playing (CD, HD, interet radio, streaming service) will be send to the audio device
The Well Tempered Computer
Thanks, and thanks for the link to The Well Tempered Computer.
Post a Followup:
FAQ |
Post a Message! |
Forgot Password? |
|
||||||||||||||
|
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: