PC audio out USB to external DAC

Plenty of threads on this subject; definitely get your sound off the computer via USB (do not use an internal soundcard) - your options are either an external conversion to SPDIF via a device like the Empirical Audio OffRamp, Hag USB, Waveterminal U24 (used), or other similar conversion device. Or you can get a DAC that accepts USB input (does the conversion internally) such as Apogee's MiniDac (USB version), Wavelength (various models), MHDT (available on eBay), or others. Your choices will depend on your budget, but in general the technology is very affordable when compared to state-of-the-art transport/players. Along with the archives here, you may want to check over on AudioAsylum there is a dedicated section for PC Audio that has quite a bit of useful input.

Marco

Mike - As far as software; I use iTunes because I like the interface. I'm a Mac user, but the software is available for PC as well. No special drivers are needed for the USB device itself, though some of these devices do have specific software to control the device itself. The HAG USB is one of the simplest devices of this sort. Plug-and-play. I have one here that a friend loaned to me to check out. I tried it out once and did not particularly like what I heard in comparison to my Waveterminal U24. That was a one-time, short term comparison, so take it FWIW. I'll give it a try again soon and give it some more extensive consideration. It certainly is one of the more affordable solutions, and should you not like it he does have a 30-day money back guarantee. I'll be curious to hear what you think, and what you're comparing it to.

I did leave out one other option open to you: WiFi. You can use a device like an Airport Express (new version just out), or a SlimDevices SqueezeBox to wirelessly broadcast from your computer to the device. In the case of the AE you have the option of getting a digital stream via a mini-toslink connection, or having the internal DAC do a poor job at converting the stream and feed that directly to your amp/preamp via an RCA Y-cord. The Toslink route to an external DAC works pretty well. Alternatively you can also get the information to the AE via an Ethernet cord. I don't know the options on the Squeezebox since I've never used one. Search the threads here and you'll get plenty of input on that subject. There are a few companies modifying the Squeezebox for better performance. There are other WiFi solutions as well.

Marco

Mike - Sounds like you've done your homework. My friends who have tried the Squeezebox route have been less than thrilled as well. I've tried the Airport Express and did like it as a digital stream through the mini-Toslink cable into my DAC. Waveterminal does it better though, but wired of course. Which DAC will you be using (or does the Meridian have a digital-in)? Should the HAG not make it for you there's plenty of alternatives. If budget is not a big consideration, I'd be looking at Empirical Audio's stuff to implement PC Audio. I had a Waveterminal Brick that I enjoyed very much. It is a USB-only DAC that uses a single 12AU7. It definitely had a very relaxed sound without a trace of digital harshness. I'd be curious to hear his much more expensive Cosecant DAC. I look forward to hearing your results with the HAG. With a Meridian 508 to compare to, it'll be very interesting to hear how things pan out for you. You probably know also that it is critical how you Rip your files to the hard drive; Preferably as WAV or in a lossless format, and make sure to have "error-correction" checked if using iTunes. If you rip music as compressed files I doubt you'll ever be happy with them if you are very discriminating.

Marco

Jax, I see the new Extreme (which does not have a digital out) is supposed to start shipping next month but haven't seen anything about a new Express. Did I miss something?

Nope, you didn't miss anything...I did! My bad, I scanned that email from Apple quickly and didn't read the details. Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!

Marco