Grace Design m902b headphone amp and ASUS Xonar HDAV 1.3 soundcard. The HDAV 1.3 (several minor variants) is the only line licensed to decode and transmit the audio from Blu-ray at full resolution. You will need Arcsoft TotalMedia player to do this. The soundcard has an S/PDIF out and the amp has an S/PDIF (and an AES) input. The headphone amp also has USB input but USB is limited to 16 bit/48 kHz, which is just not good enough IMO. The 'b' in the headphone amp's model number is for balanced outputs to use with active speakers.
Computer output to DAC, which route?
I have disbanded my main system because I am using my computer system more and more. I am going to purchase an outboard DAC for my computer, but I want to know something:
My computer comes equipped with COAX and TOSLINK outputs on the motherboard. Should I use one of those or use a DAC with a USB connection? WHat are the pluses and minuses of each way if any? I am using typical Altec Lansing speakers (good for what they are) but will probably move up to active Dynaudio monitors in the future. All music is sourced from itunes in either AAC or apple lossless formats.
Thanks in advance!
My computer comes equipped with COAX and TOSLINK outputs on the motherboard. Should I use one of those or use a DAC with a USB connection? WHat are the pluses and minuses of each way if any? I am using typical Altec Lansing speakers (good for what they are) but will probably move up to active Dynaudio monitors in the future. All music is sourced from itunes in either AAC or apple lossless formats.
Thanks in advance!