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MAC to DAC connectivity

I am waiting delivery of my first dedicated DAC. I decided to try a MHDT Orchid (non oversampling R2R dac). It is on its way from the designer in Taiwan.

Here is my question. My MAC is about 20 cable feet away from my integrated amp. That is longer than a single USB cable can run. SO I believe I have two options:
1) use a USB clarifier/re-clocker like the Wyred 4 Sound Recovery unit. With this I think I could run two 10' USB cables from the MAC to the DAC and get a "better" signal to the DAC.
2) Run a short USB cable into a USB/SPDIF converter like the Schiit Eitr, and then run a longer SPDIF RCA cable to the DAC.

Which option seems to be the smartest of the two? The cost is pretty much the same when I look at all the cabling and hardware options.

I am really new at DAC/MAC solutions so starting from scratch. After I get it set up the next round of questions will be around the options interns of players on the MAC.

Thanks for your input.
stuartbmw3

Showing 3 responses by stuartbmw3

stuartbmw3 OP
90 posts
 
Yes, a Macintosh computer.

is there value in having a BNC connector on one end to the cable (dac end) and an RCA on the other?  Or is it only of value if both ends have the BNC?
stuartbmw3 OP
90 posts
 
So, as the OP, here is what I am thinking:
-Run a 3 foot Schiit Pyst USB cable from the MAC to a Schiit Eitr
-Run an 18 foot Canare coax cable to the Orchid Dac
-Run short interconnects to the integrated amp
-Enjoy

I am obviously trying to build a cost effective solution compared to most of you. I think the Pyst cable is actually a Straight Wire cable. For simplicity purposes I am leaning toward Canare RCAs on both sides of the Coax cable. I could put a BNC on the Dac side, but the EItr only takes RCA jacks. The Dac can output to both BNC and RCA jacks.
stuartbmw3 OP
90 posts
 
Thanks. It is an interesting solution, and kind of elegant....but I think I would be duplicating DAC functionality between the Audioengine and my Orchid....so it becomes less attractive from a cost and stranded capability for me (i think).
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