2. home-theater
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External DAC for PS3

I own a Linn 2-channel (stereo) music system that is in the same room as my 50-inch HDTV plasma TV. While saving up for a true home theatre set-up, I would like to use the music system for better sound when viewing movies on my plasma.

Would anyone know if I can connect a PS3 to an external DAC like the Benchmark DAC1 (digital optical connection) and in turn connect the DAC to my music system (analog RCA)? This would allow me to "see" the movie on my plasma via HDMI and "hear" the movie via my music system (volume set to off on the plasma).
agiaccio

Showing 2 responses by shadorne

shadorne's avatar
shadorne
7,490 posts
 
That does not seem correct. Have you checked your settings in your PS3? I don't have a PS3 but there are several sound options on my Sony Blu-ray player of which one includes downmixing. I found that it was necessary to get the settings correct or else the Sony BD player did indeed mess up the sound (for example movies came out as stereo).

You are correct that "re-clocking should have solved of the problems." So I would suspect something else. One possibility is that the PS3 being a high powered computer might be inducing a lot of noise on your AC power (switched mode power supplies are notorious) and this might affect the DAC through its own power supply.

FWIW I use a power conditioner and keep my computer equipment well away from the audio gear (on a separate conditioner in a separate wall socket).
shadorne's avatar
shadorne
7,490 posts
 
Charles,

I'm in entire agreement with you. The gap - at least in digital - has narrowed in the past 15 years. This is the benefit of 25 years of digital. Many of the worst offending problems have been dealt with and one can now more blame the recording quality and not the playback system.

I am not saying that differences do not exist - but part of it is just the presentation rather than a specific fault with one product versus another.
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