Jump to content

Which type of connection is better for a DAC?

ScarisRacer
By ScarisRacer
in Audio
 Share
Posted

What's the difference between USB and Optical? Does one sound better than the other?. I was only thinking this because it is still a digital signal being sent to an analogue converter.

Phanteks Enthoo Evolv ATX | Intel Core i7 4790K 4.0Ghz | Asus Z97 PRO | Kingston HyperX Fury 32GB (4x 8GB) 1600Mhz | Noctua NH-D15 | EVGA SuperNova 850 G2 with CableMod Custom Sleeved Cables (Black/White) | Samsung 850 EVO 250GB | Western Digital Caviar Black 2TB | Western Digital Blue Series 4TB | 3x Noctua NF-F12 PWM + 3x Noctua NF-A14 PWM | 2x EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB FTW+ ACX 2.0 in SLI | Windows 8.1 | Corsair K70 LUX RGB with Cherry MX Brown Switches | Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum | Glorious PG Gaming Race Extended Mouse Mat | Beresford Caiman MKII DAC + Amptastic Mini-1 Stereo Amplifier + Q Acoustics 2010i | Sennheiser HD 598 | Audio Technica AT2020USB+ | Logitech C920 | Asus ROG Swift PG279Q

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

optical is still digital

usb is digital

optical (fiber)  has a greater range than usb.

 

it is light.

 

Optical i find better.

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

As far as I know optical will get less interference on transmission, so in theory should be the better sounding.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Optical is usually best as there is less or no chance of electrical interference.

I don'T PreSS caPs.. I juST Hit THe keYboARd so HarD iT CriTs :P

 

Quote or @dzzope to get my attention..

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Optical Audio is immune to electromagnetic interference. USB isn't unless properly shielded. Optical Audio FTW, IMO of course. 

I7 5820K, ASUS ROG Matrix GTX 980, 16 GB 2400 DDR4, 

 

Ask me phone questions. I teach people how to use them for a living.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

So @Arty, @Mikesky, @Dzzope and @rallydirk32. In theory then, would this work fine?

PC (SPDIF OUT on mobo) ==> DAC (SPDIF IN to Phono OUT) ==> Amptasic Mini-1 (Phono IN)

 

or would this be better?

PC (USB on mobo) ==> DAC (USB IN to Phono OUT) ==> Amptasic Mini-1 (Phono IN)

Phanteks Enthoo Evolv ATX | Intel Core i7 4790K 4.0Ghz | Asus Z97 PRO | Kingston HyperX Fury 32GB (4x 8GB) 1600Mhz | Noctua NH-D15 | EVGA SuperNova 850 G2 with CableMod Custom Sleeved Cables (Black/White) | Samsung 850 EVO 250GB | Western Digital Caviar Black 2TB | Western Digital Blue Series 4TB | 3x Noctua NF-F12 PWM + 3x Noctua NF-A14 PWM | 2x EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB FTW+ ACX 2.0 in SLI | Windows 8.1 | Corsair K70 LUX RGB with Cherry MX Brown Switches | Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum | Glorious PG Gaming Race Extended Mouse Mat | Beresford Caiman MKII DAC + Amptastic Mini-1 Stereo Amplifier + Q Acoustics 2010i | Sennheiser HD 598 | Audio Technica AT2020USB+ | Logitech C920 | Asus ROG Swift PG279Q

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

 

PC (SPDIF OUT on mobo) ==> DAC (SPDIF IN to Phono OUT) ==> Amptasic Mini-1 (Phono IN)

 

This is the one to go for!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

So @Arty, @Mikesky, @Dzzope and @rallydirk32. In theory then, would this work fine?

PC (SPDIF OUT on mobo) ==> DAC (SPDIF IN to Phono OUT) ==> Amptasic Mini-1 (Phono IN)

 

or would this be better?

PC (USB on mobo) ==> DAC (USB IN to Phono OUT) ==> Amptasic Mini-1 (Phono IN)

Personally I would go option one. If you are concerned about audio quality enough to warrant a DAC, then I would make damn sure that my power supply or washing machine isn't going to interfere with my sound quality. 

I7 5820K, ASUS ROG Matrix GTX 980, 16 GB 2400 DDR4, 

 

Ask me phone questions. I teach people how to use them for a living.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

I love it when people don't bother reading the FAQ.

USB has more bandwidth than S/PDIF, AES has more bandwidth than USB. Optical will not suffer any ground loop issues, improperly designed USB devices can.

PC Build in LTT Gallery - JBL J88 - Fostex T50RP (Modded) - Pioneer SE-A1000 vs audio-technica ATH-AD500X - Skullcandy Aviator  
audio-technica ATH-T400 - CHC Silverado and Laredo - Clip-On Headphone Roundup - Sony LinkBuds

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

USB sounds better coming from a PC. It's what all the audiophiles use. Get a quality cable like a SUPRA USB 2.0 and you're set.

I've been warned against using SPDIF out from a PC. It won't sound as good. 

 

-Yours truly, a guy running his DAC via USB with a good cable.

Intel Inside. Overweight guy in his 30's outside.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

USB sounds better coming from a PC. It's what all the audiophiles use. Get a quality cable like a SUPRA USB 2.0 and you're set.

I've been warned against using SPDIF out from a PC. It won't sound as good. 

 

-Yours truly, a guy running his DAC via USB with a good cable.

No.

In Placebo We Trust - Resident Obnoxious Objective Fangirl (R.O.O.F) - Your Eyes Cannot Hear
Haswell Overclocking Guide | Skylake Overclocking Guide | Can my amp power my headphones?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

USB sounds better coming from a PC. It's what all the audiophiles use. Get a quality cable like a SUPRA USB 2.0 and you're set.

I've been warned against using SPDIF out from a PC. It won't sound as good. 

 

-Yours truly, a guy running his DAC via USB with a good cable.

????

Intel Core i7 7770K | 32 GB's Ram 3000MHz | GTX 1080 Ti | 250GB SSD | 3TB 7400 RPM | Sound Blaster Z | ASUS ROG MG278Q | Razer Blackwidow Chroma | Final Mouse 2015 | Blue Yeti | Seinheiser HD 600's | Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro | Aune T1 MK2

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Prepare to chemo.

At least i get to see another moron opening his mouth, dancing like a monkey in a zoo. I'm pretty happy about it actually

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing Audio

×