2. digital
  3. 1203960462

Windows PC to USB DAC. How do you do it ?

I am in the process of trying to integrate my laptop computer into my audio system and was planning on purchasing a DAC with a USB input. However, I am not sure how I get a digital stream of data out of my computer, more specifically, using Window Media Player which is what I have used for my music handling on my pc. I have heard I need to buy a sound card for my laptop, but I cant seem to get more information, nor, how I would still direct the music from WMP to the sound card.
Any help greatly appreciated !
Thanks,
Mark
markny

Showing 2 responses by puerto

puerto
372 posts
 
If what you all are saying then, if I want to go directly from my library in WMP to my pre/pro, all that is required is the USB port in the laptop and a corresponding port in the pre/pro. The pre/pro can do the dac work and play it through my "system". Correct? Couldn't you also do the same thing from an external HD to the pre/pro?
puerto
372 posts
 
If you are using a good high-end pre/pro you can get a signal adapter (Trends Audio UD 10 USB 1.1) (Cyro-Parts USB 2.0 to SPDIF converter) and let your processor do the DAC work. (You will be going in and out of the adapter in digital). Most interfaces have lots of bells and whistles that many don't need, i.e. mic, guitar inputs, etc. If your PC has USB 2.0 it will be better than the USB 1.0. I-Mac users have 2.0, SPDIF Optical toslink and firewire outs.
More to discover