Newbie with iMac and PeachTree DACIT Question

[Betrthanren]

So I jumped into computer audio but I have some questions that some of you might be able to answer...?

I currently have an iMac (2012) with a Peachtree DACIT. The computer is in my family room while my Audio Gear is in my living room. Running a cable from the computer to DACIT would be around 25'. I believe that's too long for USB...? So I learned that my iMac has a dual audio output. Meaning if I put in a mini toslink adapter in my 1/8" audio jack I can run an optical cable to my DAC. Would this be a good idea or bad idea? Seems to easy...? I want the best sound possible! Any advice you can give I'd appreciate it.

 

Thanks!

[wwaldmanfan]

I'd go another way. The Peachtree DAC•iT performs best through its S/PDIF input. Go USB out from the Mac into a Bel Canto MLink USB converter (about $200), and connect it to the DAC with a custom-made BNC-to-RCA digital coax cable ($30-$40):

 

Dedicated Audio - Bel Canto mLink - USB to SPIDF BNC/RCA Converter

 

Digital Audio Cables at Blue Jeans Cable

[avta]

If you don't mind being limited to CD resolution an Apple Airport Express will work. It will allow a wireless connection using a Toslink connection from it to your dac. It's about $100 new.

[Musicophile]

If you don't mind being limited to CD resolution an Apple Airport Express will work. It will allow a wireless connection using a Toslink connection from it to your dac. It's about $100 new.

While this works, the Belcanto solution proposed above will sound better. I have both and the Express is good for casual listening, but the mlink is an entirely different ball game.

[Betrthanren]

Thanks for the responses!

I do have an AppleTV hooked up to the DACIT via Optical for casual listening...but it sounds horrible!

 

Another option that failed was hooking up my iPad using the USB adapter but it says the DACIT needs too much power....? Maybe I'm doing something wrong?

 

What about using the Peachtree T1 USB to SPDIF?

I have a high end Tributaries digital cable that I could run from the T1 to the DACIT.

 

Thoughts?

[wwaldmanfan]

Thanks for the responses!

I do have an AppleTV hooked up to the DACIT via Optical for casual listening...but it sounds horrible!

 

Another option that failed was hooking up my iPad using the USB adapter but it says the DACIT needs too much power....? Maybe I'm doing something wrong?

 

What about using the Peachtree T1 USB to SPDIF?

I have a high end Tributaries digital cable that I could run from the T1 to the DACIT.

 

Thoughts?

 

Nah. The Peatchtree T1 only supports up to 24/96 resolution--obsolete technology. 24/192 hi-res music is becoming more available all the time. Spend another hundred bucks and get the Bel Canto, which goes all the way to 24/192 with asychronous USB processing, and galvanic noise isolation.

[Betrthanren]

The Bel Canto is BNC to RCA. I have a high end Digital cable I'd like to put to use.

What about the X1 by PeachTree? I like the fact that it's RCA out.

If I go with the Bel Canto I'm going to have to either Frankenstein cables to get it to work or end making a cable using Coax Cable.

[wwaldmanfan]

The Bel Canto is BNC to RCA. I have a high end Digital cable I'd like to put to use.

What about the X1 by PeachTree? I like the fact that it's RCA out.

If I go with the Bel Canto I'm going to have to either Frankenstein cables to get it to work or end making a cable using Coax Cable.

 

The Peachtree X-1 looks comparable to the Bel Canto mLink. I'm sure that would be a good choice. But, the mLink does include a BNC-to-RCA adaptor. I used a Musical Fidelity V-LINK192 with my Dac•iT, and my coax cable (Black Cat Silverstar) had BNC conectors w/RCA adaptors on both ends, and it wasn't an issue.

[Jon Derda]

Thanks for the responses!

I do have an AppleTV hooked up to the DACIT via Optical for casual listening...but it sounds horrible!

 

Another option that failed was hooking up my iPad using the USB adapter but it says the DACIT needs too much power....? Maybe I'm doing something wrong?

 

What about using the Peachtree T1 USB to SPDIF?

I have a high end Tributaries digital cable that I could run from the T1 to the DACIT.

 

Thoughts?

 

I'm surprised the AppleTV sounds that bad. That hasn't been my experience. I'm wondering if what you are hearing is network or cable related. Maybe try a different optical cable? There are some pretty bad ones out there.

To connect your iPad to the DACiT with the CCK you'll need a external powered USB hub. Apple limits the current output on the dock connector to prevent third party devices from draining the battery faster than they'd like. I've tested the Plugable USB2-HUB4BC and it works great. Amazon.com : Plugable USB 2.0 4 Port Hub and BC 1.1 Fast Charger with 2.5 Amp Power Adapter, charges Samsung Galaxy S4, iPhone 5, iPad 4, iPad Mini, Nexus 7 : Network Hubs : Computers & Accessories

When you need to go that kind of distance between rooms a well shielded 75Ω coax SPDIF cable is the best option. You can run into problems with really long USB and optical cables.

An X1, VLink192, or Bel Canto mLink will all allow you to run a short USB and long coax and would also be an upgrade over the DACiT's built-in USB input.

Hope this helps.

[Jon Derda]

If you don't mind being limited to CD resolution an Apple Airport Express will work. It will allow a wireless connection using a Toslink connection from it to your dac. It's about $100 new.

 

Unfortunately the Airport Express, at least the latest version, doesn't play nice with a lot of DACs especially ones that use ESS Sabre chips. There are multi page threads on Apple Support about the AE "skipping" with external DACs. It's actually better as an analog out device. We recommend using an AppleTV if you plan on connecting to a DAC.

[Betrthanren]

Thanks again for all the advice!

AppleTV issues...

I have a high end tributaries optical 2m cable going from the AppleTV to the DAC. I hooked up my AirPort Express with the same results. The problem is in the content being streamed to the DACIT...It's mp3! I'm spoiled!!! It sounds like I'm listening to it in a tunnel.

 

I did end up purchasing the X1 by PeachTree. I'll let you know how it works out. I was surprised to learn the DAC accepts 192 files via Coax/SPDIF input but not through USB??? Like wwaldmanfan said in an earlier post the PeacTree DAC is meant for use with the Coax input. I know I'm new to the whole computer audio thing but you would think it would be best to have the USB input be able to handle 192 files...? Seems like you would experience loss going from the USB to X1 to coaxial out to my DAC....? Maybe it's different in digital compared to analog.

 

Speaking of files...any suggestions on what to buy to test it out with? I ended up buying the remaster of Death Cab For Cuties Translaticism on HD Tracks and I was severely disappointed with the quality! I almost departed from computer audio after A-B"ing" between the DACIT and my original CD. What saved me was downloading the Pearl Jam show I went to this past fall in HD 24/96. I felt I was back at the show!

 

Thanks for the link for the power supply. But I will now just send high Rez files via my iMac!

 

Thanks Again! I'm learning a lot and I greatly appreciate all the help!

[Jon Derda]

I was surprised to learn the DAC accepts 192 files via Coax/SPDIF input but not through USB???

 

When we launched the original DACiT 24/96 USB was kind of the standard. The newest version called DACiTX has an X1 built in that handles 24/192.

[Betrthanren]

The X1 arrived today and I was already prepared! I ran a coax cable from my iMac to my listening room, so when it came today it was plug and play ready...?

IT DOESNT WORK!!! I've been trying everything and anything to get to get this thing to work! New cables, USB and audio, bypassed the new coax cable still nothing. The LED lights up blue and green and when I feed it music they both light up blue signaling it's sending music. But it's dead! I hooked it up to the DACIT nothing. I hooked it up directly to my surround sound stereo receiver that has a digital readout and it randomly switches from reading 192.0 kHz/44.0 to nothing.

Am I doing something wrong or is it DOA?

Thanks in advance for any help or advice you can give.

[Betrthanren]

Tried going optical and it works! Need it to work coaxial/SPDIF.

[Betrthanren]

Working!!! I had two bad coaxial audio cables!!! What are the chances???

[Betrthanren]

So I'm confused???

Need some help!!!

When I hook up the X1 to the DACIT going directly using just the 75 ohm coax cable I ran it works fine. But when I hook up a Digital Coaxial cable it doesn't work.

 

 

Here's the setup maybe this'll help discover something that I'm missing...?

iMac to X1 using USB cable.

Out of X1 to DACIT using an F-connector to RCA Male to a compression F Fitting.

Going into the DACIT I'm using an F-connector to RCA Male to a compression F Fitting...and this setup works.

 

 

But when I hookup an F-connector to RCA Female to my compression F Fitting and attach a digital coaxial cable 75 ohm it doesn't work...?

 

 

I don't get it? Why doesn't it work?

 

 

The reason I want to use the digital coaxial cable is to reduce the stress caused by the heavy coax and fittings. I've had experiences where the added stress broke the terminal!

 

 

I don't see how using this extra cable with that type of fitting causes it not to work.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

 

Thanks!