Never had a DAC before....please help with two questions.
- Thread starter Rob41
- Start date
After reading through the original post in the other thread, it appears that unless the head unit has a digital output that could feed an external DAC, you're doing all you can do right now.
You do mention adding a flac player via the aux input; if you use a standard 1/8" stereo plug for this then that is an analog signal. You could potentially add a DAC in this chain but you would have to have digital output (USB?) from the player, and you have a USB input to the head unit; this would be redundant unless you just wanted to play with some standalone DACs.
You do mention adding a flac player via the aux input; if you use a standard 1/8" stereo plug for this then that is an analog signal. You could potentially add a DAC in this chain but you would have to have digital output (USB?) from the player, and you have a USB input to the head unit; this would be redundant unless you just wanted to play with some standalone DACs.
vonclod
Super Member
Thats what I thought too, was not sure why he wanted rca inputs, although to someone new to DACs the rca coax might look like an rca analog.
Rob41
Don't stop believin'
Thanks, it's always fun when I get to show off what I don't know, lol.
spark1
Lunatic Member
I'm pretty good at that myself.
vonclod
Super Member
It can be confusing at first, we are here to help each otherIt of course does work with digital inputs and process FLAC files. My lack of understanding sure has caused some confusion. Sorry for that guys!
And thanks for the help.
Rob41
Don't stop believin'
I can see now how it would be redundant.
Rob41
Don't stop believin'
It can be confusing at first, we are here to help each other
Thank you. Ya know I feel pretty accomplished at building active speakers and playing in the analog world, but now that I'm switching to digital I'm starting to feel my age.....I mean it's new to me.
vonclod
Super Member
Here's the thing, most digital players..ie cd, dvd, your head unit, ipod, laptop..etc, will have a built in DAC. Now if any of those units I just noted have a digital out. You could get improved performance from a seperate DAC, the built in will do the job, but a seperate may have a better digital converting chip, and a better analog output section.
vonclod
Super Member
It was all new to me about 4 years ago..it's a lot to take in, but once you understand it's easy
DirtFarmer
Well-Known Member
Might want to look elsewhere:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/teardown-of-the-emotiva-dc-1-dac.2310/
Shout Rob41...
The output from your butcher block head unit is analogue...L/R RCA jacks.
The output from any of these home stereo DACS is the same, analogue...L/R RCA jacks.
All you need is a source selector switcher down-stream from the head unit. Plug the DAC in there. Your volume control, etc, would come from a computer key board or your DSP.
The output from your butcher block head unit is analogue...L/R RCA jacks.
The output from any of these home stereo DACS is the same, analogue...L/R RCA jacks.
All you need is a source selector switcher down-stream from the head unit. Plug the DAC in there. Your volume control, etc, would come from a computer key board or your DSP.
Nixxuz
Super Member
In a perfect setting, you run your preamp AFTER your DAC. There's no real reason to put it higher in the chain, and many reasons to put it lower.
