digitalbeltdrive Posted October 5, 2015 Share Posted October 5, 2015 Hello all, I have an Audio Note Dac 2.1 x Signature which has an Unbalanced S/PDIF and a Balanced AES (XLR) input. This is perfect for a CD transport to DAC but I am struggling to work out the best way to get from a computer. I ideally would like to setup a MiniMac as a music server. I could output via USB or HDMI. I would imagine that HDMI is the better output for digital audio seeing as it was designed for it, unlike USB, but USB has been around longer and there are there seem to me more choices for converters from USB. Do any of you recommend one over the other? There are definitely Audiophile USB to S/PDIF and AES converters out there but are there any Audiophile HDMI to S/PDIF and AES converters and have any of you compared them? This is possibly a huge subject but I would be grateful if any of you could point me in the right direction. Many thanks, DBD Link to comment
wgscott Posted October 5, 2015 Share Posted October 5, 2015 It has a $129 USB input option: ANK Audiokits - DAC 2.1 I use a Halide Bridge since I have a very limited USB option (16/44.1). Link to comment
digitalbeltdrive Posted October 6, 2015 Author Share Posted October 6, 2015 Thanks wgscott. That is interesting however I have the 'factory made' DAC so I do not think the USB input is an option unless it can be retrofitted. However the Halide Bridge could work well as the DAC only deals with 16/44.1. I am surprised that there seems to be little on the market that fills this gap though, especially from HDMI. I am basically looking for the Computer Audio to DAC equivalent of a CD Transport: Computer = CD, Transport reads digital data and outputs via Unbalanced S/PDIF and a Balanced AES (XLR), DAC does what DACs do best. There is so much that can be one with a good home media server these days: Stream from various online services, playback personal files on a NAS, play internet radio, relay output from TV, etc. Basically I am looking for something that does this but outputs via one of the above methods. That's why I'd plan to use a MiniMac but I could always use a dedicated media server. Thanks again for any pointers! Link to comment
Norton Posted October 6, 2015 Share Posted October 6, 2015 I am basically looking for the Computer Audio to DAC equivalent of a CD Transport: Computer = CD, Transport reads digital data and outputs via Unbalanced S/PDIF and a Balanced AES (XLR), DAC does what DACs do best. Thanks again for any pointers! A Bryston BDP2 is exactly what you describe and sound superb on AES output. However it's a lot more or, if you live in Europe, an awful lot more than a MAC or PC. Alternatively you could fit a PC with an internal audio card that can be configured to output via Spdif or AES. I think that the ESI Juli@ card might suit. They are only about £100 street price in the UK, but I don't know what's involved in setting them up for AES output though Link to comment
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