What's the purpose of the optimal in port? Can I use it as a DAC for my computer?
740968
You can use it as a DAC for your PC or laptop even a tablet if it has the optical in or you can use it via the usb cable too. You can also connect it to a receiver that has an optical port too. Check irivers website too they got all the specs up there.
740969
Yes, that is the purpose of the optical input. I believe Macs have an optical out combined with the headphone socket, whilst PCs may require a USB to optical converter....
740970
Yes... the 1.33 version of the software allows you to use it as a DAC for other devices, iriver provides all the updates you need on their website. www.astellnkern.com
1082791
No, it's not included with the DAC. But you can use any standard computer USB type 2 cable (same one you'd use if you were connecting your computer to a printer). Or use a specialized audio USB from Audioquest etc.
1794802
I bought the version with 7 ports and I am using it with Schiit Loki, it works perfect, no more hip sounds when I start a song or change tracks, plus the bass sounds better, I believe it's because it's sending more reliable power to the DAC than what the computer can send.
377607
Yeah, I guess, but it seems overly complicated, and unnecessary. I'll assume you want to track both the USB signal, and once you go through all that stereo adapter business, your gonna run it into the computers headphone/mic input? Then you have to convince your computer to record both the USB signal, and the now degraded signal coming from the 1/4" TS to 1/8" TRS Y adapter input simultaneously. If you can do it than you can do it but why not simply duplicate the stereo USB tracks in your DAW?
939315
I'd have to disagree with this. No laptop out I've ever tried is able to convert digital to analog signal cleaner than a dedicated DAC like the E7 can. The DAC in a laptop only costs a few cents and is subject to noise in the laptop enclosure.
1280395
You can use any sound card you'd like. There are a wealth of inputs and some accept more than one type of connector. I think that for optimal sound, you should use a source with balanced output over XLR. This would be ideal, and any professional level SoundCard, or mixer for that matter, should offer a balanced output via 1/4" or XLR cable connection.
1698056
Probably not a DAC. Amplifier possibly. Their closed and not incredibly hard to drive, but tbh, the listening experience with even a modest amplifier will be substantially better. I currently use one of the small FiiO amps.
464990
Not sure what you are trying to do with this cable (most likely eyefinity) but it is a PASSIVE adapter. This is just a cable that goes from the displayport to HDMI/VGA etc. There is no onboard DAC or built-in converter. Hope this helps.
785483
this device is analog. any dac that puts out an analog output of sufficient strength should work.
164383
you will have to plugin the microphone to your onboard. This DAC is for audio output only. If you are looking for a sound card for games i would look into an internal sound card: Asus Essence or HT Omega's prodcuts
511126
I am only using it for audio, so I'm only using 2 in and 2 out.I suspect it wouldn't matter though.
881596
If you use the Coax out, you bypass the DAC. You'll get better results using the coax out if the next component in line has a better DAC than the uDac does. If not, it will be better to use the RCA out.
1427710
Sure the internal DAC is simple and not sophisticated and will convert the audio HDMI stream to the analog stereo outputs. I use mine only to extract the optical or coaxial SPDIF digital audio stream output that is maintained in its original form in the HDMI stream to analog, using an external DAC as mine Benchmark DAC2-HGC. That is my main use for the unit.
977204
Nope.As dmdmba said: the DAC part of the amp plugs into your computer's or digital audio player's USB port to get its input, and puts out an analog signal.
588925
I haven't used it as a connection to a Dac. Sorry. But my guess it will hold up.
1530484
ya got it all wrong; most people don't have optical or coax on their laptops unless they have a MAC, which I don't have.. n-e-wayz...... the usb has a dual purpose. not only does it carry the sound signal FROM your computer, it also powers this DAC. This DAC then does two very important conversions: (1) If you want your stereo to do the digital-to-analog (aka D-to-A) conversion, the DAC produces a digital signal for that purpose which leaves the device thru its coax and optical jacks, one of which should be connected to your stereo. (2) If your stereo doesn't have digital inputs (optical or coax) OR you think the D/A converter in this DAC is better than the one in your stereo, then you should connect the analog audio outputs on the DAC (the RCA connectors) to your stereo's AUX, TAPE IN, CD, etc. connectors.
977203
Nope. As dmdmba said: the DAC part of the amp plugs into your computer's or digital audio player's USB port to get its input, and puts out an analog signal.