AppleTV work with USB DAC?

Don't think a USB DAC can be used on Apple TV. I've used the ATV with excellent results thru a Benchmark DAC1. Unless you are up to doing serious mods, it's probably best to use optical out.

***On a side note, I read in a forum about a couple audiophiles who built a capacitor filter fob that plugged into the USB plug and added additional filtering to the 5v line. Apparently both the toslink transmitter and usb share the line so the extra capacitance on the 5v line contributed to better sound out of the toslink output. Basically it looked like a thumbdrive, but contained capacitors instead and only used the 5v line, not the signal lines.

Hi Tom, yes I remember emailing back and forth over the 400xi/SACD combo. Currently I'm still using the 400xi and DVD Standard w/HDMI upgrade even though I don't watch movies on it. I actually thought about picking up an SACD on ebay a couple weeks back, but never did.

Anyway, back to the original topic, I did indeed pick up an Apple TV and really like it.

I used a Nordost White Light glass fiber optic from the ATV into a Benchmark DAC1. I used that combo for quite some time with excellent results using my iPod touch as a remote. I even used an Airport Express with the optical out and achieved good results as well before the ATV arrived. I think it had to do more with the jitter reduction in the DAC1.

With the man cave rearranged and a new iMac on my desk, I'm now back to using the usb input on the DAC1. The ATV is used in the bedroom for renting movies and what not, but I have a couple ideas brewing.

Here's what I'm thinking: Upgrade the ATV drive to an SSD or CF with an adapter. This way, there aren't any moving parts in it at all. All my music is stored on a WHS so no need to sync it with the ATV. My iMac can run itunes and output to the ATV so all is well. Build and install the USB filter to provide better power to the toslink transmitter. And just like my other equipment, run it on balanced power from the PS Audio P-500. I think that's about the best one can optimize the ATV without the use of bybee purifiers or other esoterica.

http://www.odysseyaudiohk.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1223389736

Have a look at the above link Tom. They are the fellas over in Hong Kong who did the usb filter mod on the ATV. They also do comparisons using a DAC1 and Krell 400xi.