2. digital
  3. 143608-3553

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
moemoney's avatar
moemoney
158 posts
 
Well whatever you do, you can not run USB cable longer than 10 feet  
zimmerma's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
zimmerma
102 posts
 
The Audioengine D2 Wireless DAC works very well over that distance.
It has a transmitter that plugs into your Mac usb port and a receiver that you connect to one of your preamp's RCA inputs.
Of course, the DAC onboard the receiver obviates the need for your own DAC at the receiving end of the chain. [Actually, it is a pretty good DAC..... the sound quality of Spotify+ is excellent with this set-up.]
Sorry if I have changed the OP's subject of concern, since he evidently wants to transmit over the 20 feet in question from his Mac to his own DAC.
BTW, before getting the Audioengine wireless I did use a 20 ft USB cable to cover the distance.... and, contrary to one of the earlier comments, there was no deterioration of signal quality.... The set-up was simply too clumsy to live with.... thus the Audioengine.
wtf's avatar
wtf
307 posts
 
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?

I had Blue Jeans Cable make me one and found no difference in sound quality to the standard BJC RCA model with an adapter. It was nice not having to use an adapter though. Perhaps it would be better to have a proper 75 ohm BNC terminated cable (both ends) and use an RCA adapter on one end. I currently use a Black Cat Silverstar! 75 cable and when I used it that way in the past it worked and sounded great. 
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.
zimmerma's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
zimmerma
102 posts
 
Addendum to my post about the Audioengine D2 wireless: It can be used to connect one's Mac to one's own DAC [via the D2's receiver}. From Audioengine:

  •  Can I use D2 to connect my computer wirelessly to another DAC in my audio system?Answer: 

    Absolutely! If you use the USB input of the D2 Sender, then connect the D2 Receiver optical output to your DAC and the D2 will act as a wireless 24-bit USB-to-SPDIF converter and stream high-resolution digital audio to your favorite DAC. You can also use the optical input on the D2, in which case the D2 will act as a wireless optical link to your DAC. Can I use a third-party (non-Audioengine) AC power adapter to power my D2 Sender and/or Receiver? The D2 AC power adapters have been specifically designed to provide stable low-noise power to the D2 so only use the included Audioengine power adapters. Using any other power adapter will compromise the audio quality and may damage your D2.

Again.... I post this with possible apologies to the OP.... This time because the Audioengine wireless solution to his Mac to DAC problem may not be the cost-effective solution he is after, since the Audioengine system costs about $399.

More to discover