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Computer output to DAC, which route?

I have disbanded my main system because I am using my computer system more and more. I am going to purchase an outboard DAC for my computer, but I want to know something:
My computer comes equipped with COAX and TOSLINK outputs on the motherboard. Should I use one of those or use a DAC with a USB connection? WHat are the pluses and minuses of each way if any? I am using typical Altec Lansing speakers (good for what they are) but will probably move up to active Dynaudio monitors in the future. All music is sourced from itunes in either AAC or apple lossless formats.

Thanks in advance!
phoenix469

Showing 4 responses by cerrot

cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
If you really want to hear PC Audio at it's best, go firewire. I just went to a firewire to spdif converter (M Audio Firewire Solo) and just couldn't believe how good it sounds. There's just no way the power supply in a PC can provide stable, clean power to a soundcard. I was thinking of going USB but thought best to just go with the fire wire.

Enjoy your rig.
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
I, too, have found that the best sounding interface (for me, to my ears, in my system) is a good sound card. I use the ESI Juli@ and J River. What I have also found is that using J River in its native format (44.1/redbook) and upsampling via some good outboard gear (reclocking/upsampling and into dac) sounds much better than upsampling via J River.
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
BSME85, the whole point is to get away from the dreaded USB interface as it is soo poor. Even the best implementations are flawed. You can know see that the USB is finally beginning to be phased out.
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
USB is pretty pathetic. Firewire does blow it away. For $200 - heck - $150 - just get an ESI Juli@ soundcard. it blows away the usb at a much lower cost.

USB sucks - plain and simple. Use it to connect your mouse and printer, not a dac...
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