USB DAC Dumb

Williewonka 03-20-2016 9:23am edt
Sending SPDIF Input to the DAC’s USB input cannot be accomplished by a simple cable type of adapter/converter

+1.

Outputting a USB signal requires either a computer or a device that emulates the USB-related functionality and processing of a computer. A converter having that capability would certainly not be a simple adapter. I am not aware of any such converters, but if some exist I wouldn’t be surprised if you would be better off in terms of sonics as well as cost if you simply connect via analog, and use the player’s internal DAC.

Regards,
-- Al

Zmanastronomy, thanks for pointing out the Mutec devices, which certainly look interesting if not particularly inexpensive (the 1.2 appears to sell generally in the area of $450).

However, after looking at the manual for the 1.2 (http://www.mutec-net.com/downloads/manuals/MUTEC_MC-12_Manual_E_screen.pdf) I’m not at all sure that it would do what the OP requires. If the device is provided with a S/PDIF or AES/EBU input it can convert those signals to a USB output, but while it is not made entirely clear in the manual or the website description I believe a computer or equivalent would be required to receive the signal from that USB output. For example, note this statement on page 16:

The digital audio signal received at the selected input will be converted into an USB audio stream and send through the USB port into your computer, laptop or music server.

A typical audio DAC will certainly not be able to interrogate a USB output in the same manner a computer can.

And note that the USB connector on the device is USB type B, which is ordinarily used on peripherals that interface to a computer, not on the USB ports of computers or computer-like devices that communicate with those peripherals.

Regards,
-- Al