Kegger

Oh I hear yu, to a degree.. But I think we can do better than Amazon for reviews/info. I doubt everyone on here using a converter has spent $1000 or more on 1 for a second system.. Cheers man, Keg

Thanks yah I've read that 1, where I got most/a lot of my info from. But I don't think most of us would call that a "budget" shootout/review,,

Anyone happen to know of a budget converter shootout, or review? Something say $50 to $500 or so..

I knew what yu meant, And as stated I still have 2 more DAC's here to try/listen to, Then I'll probably go and get my own converter, then upgrade my DAC. Converter borrowed, an any DAC I can afford/want to buy/pay for this setup will probably benefit from 1. This a secondary system, my thoughts DAC I'm going to get will either be used, bang for the buck cheap. Meaning my thoughts are whatever I can afford would probably benefit from using a converter. (Just stating above that if this is good as I get it would actually be fine with what I'm hearing) So I'm hunting converters now, then I will end up getting a much newer DAC as well for the PC (The DAC will probably still be something 1-3 years old, but newer than what I got anyway)

Thanks, and I hear what your saying. I could probably live with this setup as it is and be quite happy. Starting out all I wanted was decent output from pc, use speakers otherwise sitting around not being used. It's certainly exceeded that!

Well still researching an learning, and listening From that I've gathered so far, (whether right or wrong) On average to cheap DAC's you will probably benefit from a decent async USB to SPDIF converter. You may still benefit from a decent async USB to SPDIF converter on a decent to good DAC as well. On an newer, well designed PC DAC/USB input DAC the benefits diminish, no need for one on it here. (mainly because the USB interface on the DAC isn't that great, an the adapters isolation/implementation) And it seems my needing/wanting an card or other to get coax/optical out of the PC is not the way to go. (I'd be better off getting an really good DAC that doesn't need the usb/spdif adapter or a good adapter) --------------- Now I have the "Nuforce U192S" adapter in and connected to an older Theta DAC through the COAX input. WOW! I can't say for sure if it's the adapter of the DAC, my guess some of both.. (this DAC has no USB to test it and the original I was using has only USB) Any edginess that may have been present is gone, and now has an easiness to the presentation, light n airy. Similar to going from say digital to analog, or dare I say it from solid state to tubes, big improvement there. (Not trying to say analog better than digital, tubes better than solid state, just trying to describe the change) I don't believe my older Theta DAC or Nuforce U192S adapter are "top notch" performers so still room here. (and I still have 2 more DAC's here to get through while doing more research, testing) Thanks to everyone who has responded, and any more please do, I'm all ears and welcome it that's for sure!

At the moment I'm running USB from the PC to USB in on an external DAC. (actually sounds pretty good) I have an Nuforce U192S borrowed from a buddy to try out 3 other DAC's an there COAX/OPTICAL inputs. As mentioned I'm fairly new to the whole pc media server external DAC thing. I'm researching and trying to find out what the supposed best connections and hookups are. My thinking on the USB to SPDIF converter was your introducing another "layer in the mix/translation" an just figured that wouldn't be as good as straight from an SPDIF output, but I'm open to any outcomes.

I found this on Ebay, Desktop HiFi Musiland M Sword Digital 2015 Computer PC Internal PCI Sound Cards | eBay Also 1 listing of the Digital Times listed above.. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Musiland-Digital-Times-Soundcard-PCI-S-PDIF-optical-BNC-/291741146794?hash=item43ed209eaa:g:yKYAAOSwUuFW2DG5

Man that just might be exactly what I'm after, thanks for posting it. Now I got some reading and searching to do. I figured someone had to make something like that, at least it made sense to me anyway..

Actually trying to figure out what DAC I want to go to next is secondary. (As I have several here to still get a real feel for there performance to try) I first need to figure my connections out, what I'll use for now and the future.. My thinking is an actual COAX/OPTICAL connection would be better sound quality then USB, Or at least better than USB to Converter. (But I really don't know so I'm here asking) Thanks again for more info to chew! (I would buy/use a soundcard if I have to, just wasn't really sure which way to go) For a cheap sound card I was only thinking that to get the digital output connection here, But wasn't sure how well they work, and if there was an cheap thing that did the job well.

Hey Small world.. And thanks for the info, and the compliment. I have access to several DAC's right now local, And want to try connections other than USB to compare. (Also have an older THETA DAC on my main system I want to try on the PC) So I'm exploring options at the moment. Mainly I'm looking for connection options to use External DAC's.

New to the site, and fairly new to Computer Music. (Not new to audio though) Hoping I'm posting in the right spot and it's ok to ask questions right off the bat? Just a real quick intro, I build/design tube/audio gear, mainly amps, and speakers So I have a fairly decent eye/ear for music/audio in general. Decided to update/get working my PC for music, using external amp and regular speakers. ------ I've got a PC with no digital out, NONE. (Windows 7 x64, older Dell Workstation) I have USB and am using that to an inexpensive external DAC now. (running Jriver and mostly ripped Cd's, and a few higher rez files) But I really want Coax out, Optical will work though. (an move up in DAC) (obviously for an external DAC to play music files, higher rez an whatnot) I don't really need/want a sound card, IF I don't HAVE to. And I really didn't want to just do a USB to SPDIF either. (not sure I like the idea of just another conversion here) ? Do they make something like say a pci/pcie card that just has COAX/OPTICAL outputs on it there? If not then is there a cheap sound card that would work well/really good with no sound quality issues? If my thinking is off base here gimme suggestions of what you might do then please and why if you would... Any and all thoughts/suggestions are welcome, Thanks, Keg