If there is digital in and stereo analog out, then there is a DAC in the box.
Understanding Signal Path in PC Audio
Could someone please explain what DACs are used or bypassed when using iTunes?
I suppose it should be no surprise that audio sounds pretty bad through the headphone jack of my Sony VAIO notebook?
What happens when I plug the Creative Soundblaster box into my USB port, and then use the RCA outputs into my stereo?
This seems to sound a bit better, but isnt yet knocking my socks off.
Is this simply a passive line level out?
Or does the USB port somehow output a digital stream and there is a cheap DAC inside my plastic Creative box?
Ultimately, I want to rip all my CDs onto a big hard drive, bit for bit, and export them with the lowest jitter or whatever into an audiophile DAC.
So a bit more basic knowledge would help me understand this puzzle and thanks for your help.
cwlondon
I suppose it should be no surprise that audio sounds pretty bad through the headphone jack of my Sony VAIO notebook?
What happens when I plug the Creative Soundblaster box into my USB port, and then use the RCA outputs into my stereo?
This seems to sound a bit better, but isnt yet knocking my socks off.
Is this simply a passive line level out?
Or does the USB port somehow output a digital stream and there is a cheap DAC inside my plastic Creative box?
Ultimately, I want to rip all my CDs onto a big hard drive, bit for bit, and export them with the lowest jitter or whatever into an audiophile DAC.
So a bit more basic knowledge would help me understand this puzzle and thanks for your help.
cwlondon