2. pc-audio
  3. 1059007728

Sound Card with External DAC

I'm putting together a high end stereo system that will be connected to my desktop computer. I hope to connect the computer to a high end (separate) audio tube DAC. The computer and its transport will serve as the source component, and the tube DAC as the converter. Any ideas how to best do this.
If I understand correctly, standard sound cards already have a DAC built-in. I don't want to be redundant. Is there a sound card that will allow this? Thanks. Jim
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Showing 2 responses by onhwy61

onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,137 posts
 
Talking about whether CD-ROM drives are truly accurate misses the point of computer based systems. The original question was about putting together a high end computer based system and if that's the case the CD-ROM is not important in playback since the music will be stored and played from the computer's hard disk. The role of the CD-ROM will be solely to rip the CDs to the hard disk. If properly setup, this type of computer/hard disk playback is of very high quality. Systems of this design are routinely used in recording and mastering studios.

As far as soundcards go, I recommend RME. It can be configured with optical (Toslink), RCA (SPDIF) or XLR (AES/EBU) digital I/O.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,137 posts
 
Gonglee3, for 2 channel applications most of the RME product line is overkill, but they do offer superior performance. Is the subtle increase in performance worth the additional cost and complexity? I think we each have to answer that question for ourselves.
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