Laptop to Integrated amp's built in DAC (USB to SPDIF) under $200

[cvt01]

Can you help me find solution under $200 to connect Laptop to Integrated amp's built in DAC (USB to SPDIF)

I have a Yamaha A-S501 which has a built in DAC. It can decode files up to 24/192. It has COAX and Optical inputs. I want to play up to 24/194 files through my computer.
I would like to connect the Laptop via its USB port to preferably the coax input of the Amp (my TV is connected to the optical).
I want the cleanest signal possible for the $200

I think I need something like this but I'm not sure:
GUSTARD U12 32Bit / 384KHz DSD XMOS USB Digital Audio Interface
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PU4IXA...olid=FHTBVQQRP0EP&coliid=I14DKY5VB971PG&psc=1

Or would I be better off to bypass the built in DAC and buy an external DAC insted (I just don't like the idea to pay for an other one for now - I'm just getting into this and want to keep the initial cost as low as possible)

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

 

[SoNic67]

Why not one of those?
https://www.amazon.com/Desktop-DEAFidelity-Converter-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B01MXOZ92G
https://www.amazon.com/Modi-Uber-Digital-Analog-Converter/dp/B00TUGOAH4

Connecting a DAC over SPDIF can introduce additional jitter. The DAC's that have a direct USB connection don't have that problem (but they still have to deal with USB signal issues).
A convertor that transfers USB to SPDIF will present both of the above issues - USB errors on input and SPDIF jitter on output.

Of course, you can minimize the SPDIF jitter with devices like SPDIF iPurifier, and some existing DAC's (1-2% of market) have similar embedded DSP solutions for that. Not sure what your Yamaha has, but I bet it's just a plain and cheap DAC, nothing to be sorry for not using...

 

[nyhifihead]

haven't heard the Yamaha's internal DAC myself but I've heard its quite good at that price point for an integrated

Right now the 2 go to DDC (digital interface) are the gustard u12 and the singxer f-1

They are both great, the singxer f-1 uses a newer XMOS chipset and many over at head fi think its the best for the money.

Only issue is that it uses USB for power so if you don't have "clean" USB power it can degrade the quality of the spdif output

I own a gustard u12 myself I use it to interface between my HTPC and my integra research digital preamp via digital coax spdif and it improved my digital chain significantly

It has its own super low noise talema power supply and uses .1 txco ultra low jitter clocks, its the older XMOS chipset but still performs great. I'm anal about my digital audio and I havent felt the need to upgrade to the singxer.

 

[cvt01]

Ok so you both say screw the built in DAC and get an external. I can live with that. Let's say I decide to go with the Modi 2 Uber. Do I need additional hardware to provide clean USB input to that?

 

[nyhifihead]

Ok so you both say screw the built in DAC and get an external. I can live with that. Let's say I decide to go with the Modi 2 Uber. Do I need additional hardware to provide clean USB input to that?

I didnt say go for an external. The 2 digital interfaces i mentioned, the gustard u12 and singxer f1 are both all digital. USB in from the computer and low noise SPDIF digital out.

I actually opt for using the internal DAC in the Yamaha, I'm sure its good. I would read online for comparisons against current gen DACs.

If you do opt to do external, I think best bang for the buck is the schiit multibit

 

[cvt01]

Oh I see there is a typo in your first sentence and I thought "goof" means crap in some hifi lingo LOL Thanks!

 

[SoNic67]

I actually opt for using the internal DAC in the Yamaha, I'm sure its good. I would read online for comparisons against current gen DACs.

Inside A-S501 it's actually a pretty average DAC, it's a Texas Instruments PCM5101. Even the non-multibit Schiit is better than that.
Only A-S801 has a premium ESS Sabre DAC (ES90110K2M).

 

[nyhifihead]

LOL that's a good one @cvt01

And listen to sonic67 he knows his DACs. Seems like an external DAC is the way to go. Shame they didnt use the 90110k2m in the 501, thats a great chip.

My vote would be to go external , cheers

 

[SoNic67]

Yamaha knows how to differentiate the markets. Add a $10 chip and add $400 to the product price

 

[Raynald]

If you want to use your DACs in the meantime but don't want to invest to much as they are not TOTL, you could consider this one:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/271992447503?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

A friend loaned me one and it gave much better results going from USB into my Yamaha RX-V1 (PCM1704) than the bad optical out of my soundcard. That would let you get good use out of your current set up while you shopped for an overall upgrade.

 

[cvt01]

Thanks guys for the recommendations. I think I'm gonna buy the Uber. I also found this in the price range but there is not much to be found about it on the internet:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N1LJW8...olid=FHTBVQQRP0EP&coliid=I1R0W19N47H03O&psc=1
This would do DSD which is not needed right now but may be more future proof.

For a little more there is the Maverick TubeMagic D1 Plus DAC which is much better documented but I don't know anything about tubes...

In the meantime I connected the laptop to my Samsung TV through HDMI, then I connected the TV to the Yamaha via optical cable. My plan B was to just use the TV's USB port to play music. I can't hear any difference between going through the USB port of the TV vs the Laptop to HDMI solution but I'm just getting started with this system so right now everything sounds fantastic compared to the earplugs and my cellphone LOL.

 

[PianotunerNJ]

I didnt say go for an external. The 2 digital interfaces i mentioned, the gustard u12 and singxer f1 are both all digital. USB in from the computer and low noise SPDIF digital out.

I actually opt for using the internal DAC in the Yamaha, I'm sure its good. I would read online for comparisons against current gen DACs.

If you do opt to do external, I think best bang for the buck is the schiit multibit

I have a question? Will the Gustard U12 allow you to go out HDMI to a receiver with multichannel? If so, will it pass DSD multi? I’ve had some issues getting .dsf files to work although the .dff seems to pass really well from HDMI through DoP (foobar2000 out to Sony DSD compatible receiver). Would love to make that relationship better. I’m a big fan of digital to receiver. Simple, and no need for expensive cables and DACs to sound really good, like better than $100 dac from the net for sure. The surround hi-res leaves you with HDMI or really pricey DAC choices. I’m surprised that it’s so hard to get full control of HDMI from laptop directly but if I can get a DDC that does HDMI and will make the receiver see all native formats I would go for one of those. Thanks for any information in advance.