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macbook toslink vs usb

macbook toslink vs usb

Submitted by deckard6 on Sat, 2011-05-07 23:58

 

Just purchased a used dac1 usb from a dealer here in Canada and have

a question concerning inputs, if I might ask. Do you guys recommend the usb

over toslink (or vise versa) output from my 1 year old macbook ?

Of course I have read stuff online about mac toslink jitter issues but I'm sure

you guys have a clear take on this as it applies, or not, to your product.

 

thanks

Darryl

 

 

‹ Can iPod output to DAC1 USB? Mac Thunderbolt w. Benchmark DAC? ›

Hello Darryl, We have tested

Submitted by EliasGwinn on Mon, 2011-05-09 13:13.

Hello Darryl,

We have tested the optical and USB performance with Mac computers, and the DAC1 USB performs equally using either interface.  Therefore, feel free to choose which interface to use based on your setup/logistics, etc.  The sonic quality will not suffer in either case.

Best,

Elias

How about the non-USB dac1

Submitted by lek on Sat, 2011-06-11 11:56.

I assume your response holds true for the non-USB DAC-1 with a macbook pro?

Basically, will a normal DAC-1 with optical/toslink sound equivalent to a USB DAC-1 (whether USB or optical)

I'm just considering it to save money over the USB one, but I am looking for optimal

sound quality. I've read articles about the digital out of a macbook not being so great, lots of opinions saying don't use it...

Yes and no... Yes, the

Submitted by EliasGwinn on Mon, 2011-06-13 09:58.

Yes and no...

Yes, the optical works equally as well with the original DAC1.  The articles you mentioned about the digital out from a macbook were probably referring to levels of jitter.  The DAC1 is famous for not letting jitter affect the quality of covnersion at all, so it won't be an issue.

But the DAC1 USB has an upgraded analog section.  So, independent of the digital source and cable being used, the DAC1 USB will deliver an analog signal more capably then the original DAC1.

Best,

Elias

 Hi, I'm a little confused:

Submitted by lek on Wed, 2011-06-15 18:50.

 Hi, I'm a little confused: you say the DAC1 USB has an upgraded analog section, however in the online page info for it it says, "The DAC1 USB preserves the exact topology of the audio path of the Classic DAC1"

Hi Lek, I'm sorry for the

Submitted by EliasGwinn on Thu, 2011-06-16 10:29.

Hi Lek,

I'm sorry for the confusion.  I'll be happy to explain further.

All models of the DAC1 have the same topology, but the higher-end models have upgraded components.  In other words, the signal travels the same path, but the components it goes through is improved on the higher models.

Does that clear things for you?

Best,

Elias

Upgraded components and 192khz?

Submitted by Daniel P on Thu, 2011-07-07 14:36.

Hi Elias,

Sorry for going off topic, but does the use of upgraded components in the higher-end models make them more capable of processing 192khz PCM signals over say the regular DAC1 built now?

It is my understanding that older DAC1 units had problems with 192khz, and that this had been improved. Is this true across the board?

Thanks,

Daniel

No, the upgraded components

Submitted by EliasGwinn on Thu, 2011-07-07 14:45.

No, the upgraded components in the higher-end models are in the analog domain.  All DAC1 models can handle 192 kHz equally well.

The first generation of the DAC1 wasn't built to accept 192 kHz signals, but all new DAC1's are capable.

Best,

Elias

Thanks for the insight

Submitted by Daniel P on Thu, 2011-07-07 14:50.

Thanks for the insight Elias.

Cheers,

Daniel