Topic: Suggestions on getting 24 bit audio from PC to stereo system?

[Darren]

I've been out of the audio collecting hobby for a while but still have a large number of shows I'd like to play from time to time.

This year I bought a laptop and my aim is to connect it to my stereo to hear the audio through the speakers.  However. my knowledge of technology is current to about 2009.  Can someone help?

I'll need what is calleda DAC (?) or a USB audio interface, right?  I just want to plug something into the USB of my laptop and then run the line outs of the device to my stereo.

Can someone suggest the right devise for me and provide links?

Thanks in advance.

[bryonsos]

This is what I use:

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=156786.0

[DigiGal]

Check out the new Benchmark DAC2 HGC reviewed here

DAC2 HGC - 2-Channel Reference Stereo Preamplifier with Heaphone Amp and DSD D/A Converter | Benchmark Media






For about the same cost there's also the Grace M903 reviewed here

[it-goes-to-eleven]

There are plenty of inexpensive options out there.  I even use a UA5 for a lot of mastering type work - I feed it via USB and it goes to the stereo.  What I really like abut that is that the ua5 sits next to my keyboard and it has a convenient volume knob. I find a real volume knob essential for mastering content that has dramatic swings in volume, whether the output is to headphones or speakers.  The ua5 is no longer produced but they seem to be dirt cheap when they come up for sale ($50 comes to mind but I may be mistaken).  It's also handy for certain tests and transfers where I want realtime content on a PC.

As an alternative to USB, you might consider something that runs ethernet or wifi.  USB will always be distance limited.  I am still a big fan of the Squeezebox, and probably always will be.

[noahbickart]

http://schiit.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=0&products_id=14

[dnsacks]

Stu:

Cheapest/easiest first step (if you haven't already determined it to not be good enough) would be to run an analogue cable from your laptop's headphone out directly into your stereo (1/8" stereo mini>rca pair) and see if this produces satisfactory results.  Some Laptops have surprisingly good analog outputs.  The suggestions made above are all likely better solutions, but doesn't hurt to try this first?

Another question -- does your stereo accept digital inputs (most recent home theater systems do)?  If it does, you may find that a usb device that provides a digital output would be best for your situation.

Darrin

[tapjunkie]

Music Direct has many options for this in many price ranges. (musicdirect.com)

http://www.musicdirect.com/c-690-usb-dacs.aspx

[adrianf74]

Does your laptop have HDMI out and does your receiver have HDMI in?  If so, that's the EASIEST way to get there.

[acidjack]

If you happen to have certain Macs like the MacBook Pro, it has a direct optical digital out (the headphone out is an auto-switchable optical digital out).  Assuming your stereo has optical digital inputs, just connect it and you're done.  I'm sure MacBook Pros aren't the only laptops with this option by any means.

Apple AirPlay will also stream wirelessly to an Airport Express or Apple TV connected to a stereo system.  I believe that's only 16 bit, though, if such things bother you.

When I'm not using one of the other above options, I use my USBPre2 to connect optically to my stereo, but that's only because I happen to already own the thing for use as a preamp.  It's not the economical choice for just this purpose, but if you're looking for a new pre anyway....

[scb]

Does your laptop have HDMI out and does your receiver have HDMI in?  If so, that's the EASIEST way to get there.

this

[Wiggler]

I would avoid HDMI for audio use it has the highest jitter rate of any interface.

[noahbickart]

I would avoid HDMI for audio use it has the highest jitter rate of any interface.

link?

[Wiggler]

http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/pcaudio/messages/8/82566.html

[noahbickart]

http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/pcaudio/messages/8/82566.html

Thanks.

[adrianf74]

Can be deemed to be audio snobbery and the question is, can you actually hear it?  I've got EXCELLENT hearing and never once have I heard anything seeming out of place.  That's not to say that it is or isn't perfect but I get sick of this stuff when it really makes "little to no difference."   

Analog audio produced worst results.  This has been talked about 'round and 'round on various forums including AVS.

Here was a recent thread from over there...

http://www.avsforum.com/t/1436150/hdmi-jitter/30

[jlykos]

Check out this thread; some options are listed there:

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=159708.0

I'm listening to my new Audioquest Dragonfly right now and it's exactly what I have been looking for.  I'll tell more about it after I listen to it some more.

Edit: Here's a recent article from Inner Fidelity that abstracts reviews on several popular amplifier / DAC combinations. Any of these units that has a USB input will do the job.

http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/you-can-take-it-you-survey-portable-usb-headphone-ampdacs

[yug du nord]

Can anyone tell me if audio files (or video files) on a PC can play through an A/V receiver via LAN connection?
PC > LAN > router > LAN > A/V receiver
I'm trying to hook up a media hub and the PC does not have a digi output.  But the receiver has an LAN port.

[aaronji]

^^^ Absolutely.  I have my PC, NAS server, modem and amplifier all connected via a router.  I can playback files from either the NAS or the PC with no problems...

[dnsacks]

Can anyone tell me if audio files (or video files) on a PC can play through an A/V receiver via LAN connection?
PC > LAN > router > LAN > A/V receiver
I'm trying to hook up a media hub and the PC does not have a digi output.  But the receiver has an LAN port.

Wouldn't the A/V receiver in this scenario need to know how to handle the file format you're seeking to play? It would seem to me that under this scenario, the a/v receiver is connected to the lan so that it can independently access, decode and play the audio files on the lan. If, for example, the a/v receiver was not configured/designed to recognize/play flac files, it would follow that it couldn't play flac files accessed via the lan connection.  OTOH, if the pc decoded the flac to a spdif stream and fed it to the same a/v receiver, it would have no problem playing the same file.

[aaronji]

^^^ I think that most components with an Ethernet connection can play a wide range of file formats (all of the commonly used ones).  When I bought mine, some didn't support flac, but I think almost all of the current crop does....

[yug du nord]

^^^ Absolutely.  I have my PC, NAS server, modem and amplifier all connected via a router.  I can playback files from either the NAS or the PC with no problems...

Thanks for the reponse!
I have both a PC and A/V connected to router via LAN.  Both devices are connected to internet. 
I can't seem to play any PC files through the A/V receiver though.  Any suggestions on how to get the PC and A/V to play together nicely?
Also...  do you need to connect the PC directly to the TV.... or can it be PC > A/V > TV?

An yes, the A/V receiver can play up to 24/192 flac/wav files.
Thanks.

[aaronji]

The first thing to do is check which protocols are implemented on your receiver.  That's almost certainly DLNA, although there are others.  Then you need to set up your PC as a server using that protocol.  Recent versions of Windows Media are DLNA compliant, I think, and there are also a number of third party software packages available (including free/shareware).  Make the software point to, and share, the folders containing your music files.  Your receiver should then "see" those folders.

At least in theory, it's as simple as that.  Practically, maybe, maybe not.  My NAS was no problem, but with the PC it was slightly trickier (I had to assign a fixed IP address to the receiver and change a Windows network setting).  Shoot me a PM if you have trouble.  I am not an expert, by any means, but maybe I can help...