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Best possible digital output from a computer?

I've recently purchased a Yulong DAH1 Mark DAC (Chinese brand, not extremely popular). I have to say that so far I am pleased with the sound, and have been using the USB input which is fed by my personal laptop running Foobar or Media Monkey. However, I'm sure that this is not the best possible route, being that this DAC uses the PCM270x chip to accept the I2S stream via USB, which adds another thing into the signal path before sending it to the main AD1955 DAC chip. I believe the sound would be better through coax or optical, but what would be the best way to get a coax/optical output on my laptop? It has neither of those outputs built-in....

Thanks in advance.
jwglista

Showing 4 responses by detlof

detlof
1,899 posts
 
I am not an expert, but I would think that any conversion gadget would add a sound of its own. Wonder what the experts think and if such converters really exist.
What I can say however, that USB can sound excellent with the right DAC. I run Steve Nugent's SPOILER from my Toshiba and it clobbers both the Zanden and my DCS stack in all the important parameters we afficionados look out for.
detlof
1,899 posts
 
Jwglista,
Yes, that is certainly the case with the SPOILER. As for the USB cable, I'm using a 4 meter Monster with very good effect.
detlof
1,899 posts
 
Jwglista,
My Toshiba has, like your laptop, except for firewire, only USB output possibilities. I have no complaints about the soundstage, which is both wide and deep and I see no deterioration at all with the Spoiler compared to vinyl or CD direct. So I tend to doubt that USB per se is your culprit.
detlof
1,899 posts
 
Steve,
No I haven't so far, because I am happy with the sound as is. But I've been planning to try one day. Perhaps you just gave me the necessary kick in the you know where to do so soon. I'll report when I have done so.

OOps: Just saw, that I already have them. I had bought the Spoiler equipped with those, if you recall....

Apologies for being off-topic here....
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