RSN

@ iago: after reading your last posts I googled a bit more and also found some discussions about the lack of a driver in order to make it work correctely. I will give it a try. @sjoc2000: can you explain how, by using an RCA cable, I can test if it's coax spdif? In the sound menu, I already have two things listed: "headphones" and "SPDIF interface" (which I have selected). Is that what you mean? I will test the drivers before buying a new coax cable. Not sure when I'll be able to do it. With the holliday season I'll be away from that computer for a few days. I'll keep giving feedback.

Thanks iago. That is one thing I need to do, update my drivers and see if anything changes. I've been googling some stuff and it seems that lot's of toshiba users have the same question: is the spdif out optical or coaxial. I think I will buy a cheap cable just in case...

Thanks for that iago. My computer user's manual is clear in stating that the headphone socket also has spdif. There is no doubt (I guess) about that. Also, my headphone socket does not produce any type of typical spdif glow (I've googled some images). But you have raised an interesting question iago. I can't see anywhere on the manual explaining if the spdif output is either optical or coaxial. I just assumed it would be optical... Is there anyway of telling if the output (spdif) is either optical or coaxial? In the meantime I've changed the VLC settings like thrand1 suggested and no luck. Doesn't seem to be that. In case someone is using the same or similar computer as me, the model is toshiba satellite P100-470. @ Audio_ELF: It's clear now, thanks. No glow at the other end... I'm guessing that the DAC does not light up the "lock" signal exactely because of that. It seems that nothing is coming through...

@ iago: I'm sure that in more recent computers the red glow is always there if the computer has SPDIF. What I meant was, is it possible that older computers like mine, which apparently have SPDIF, don't have that? @ thrand1: That may be it! I can only check when I get home, but in the computer I'm using right now the "use spdif when available" option box is not checked. I'm guessing it won't be also in my other computer. At least I haven't checked it...didn't even knew it was there... Thanks for the help guys. I'll change the VLC configuration and post the results.

That's actualy something I haven't noticed. With the optical cable connected at both ends there is, as far as I can tell, no red glow visible. There is no indication on the laptop itself that it has SPDIF. I only confirmed it on the user's manual and also on the control panel, under "sounds", where I have the option of choosing between simple headphone out or SPDIF interface. EDIT: the operating system (Vista) states that the "SPDIF interface" device is working properly when I run the status of the device. My laptop is a few years old (Toshiba Satellite). It's one of those more media oriented with Harmann/Kardon speakers. Is it possible that some headphone sockets with SPDIF do not have the red glow? Thanks

Hi everybody, this is my first post in this forum but I've been following it for some time now. I could use some help installing my new Fiio. I bought this thing in order to eliminate the direct connection between my music dedicated laptop (through the headphone jack) and my amp. I figured that, considering the price of this DAC and after reading some reviews, I would give it a try. If it improves the sound quality that's great, if not I would just consider it an inexpensive experience. My computer has a shared SPDIF out through the headphone jack. I'm trying to connect the system like this: Laptop>DAC (through SPDIF with optical cable)>amp (through RCA cable connected to the AUX) My laptop uses windows Vista and I've changed, through the control panel, the sound to SPDIF interface. I'm using also VLC media player to play the music. Problem is, I get no sound and the DAC does not light up the "lock" signal, which seems to indicate that the signal is not traveling to the DAC. I would appreciate any help on this. Considering that I did not know what a DAC was a month ago, I may be doing a basic mistake. Can it be a problem with Vista configuration? Can it be a problem with VLC configuration? Or is it just a very cheap DAC... Thanks for your help and sorry for the poor english.