Skip to main content

Notice

Please note that most of the software linked on this forum is likely to be safe to use. If you are unsure, feel free to ask in the relevant topics, or send a private message to an administrator or moderator. To help curb the problems of false positives, or in the event that you do find actual malware, you can contribute through the article linked here.
Topic: Easiest way to output HR audio through PC (Read 2993 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Easiest way to output HR audio through PC

I'm about to buy a new PC, and I want to know how to efficiently output high-resolution digital audio DATA through it to a DAC (and then to an amp and headphones).

All of those Creative SoundBlaster cards seem too expensive and overly packed with unnecessary features, so I thought: "There has to be a way to just output the raw digital data from the PC straight to the DAC without any processing", But I haven't found any easy and cheap way to do it.

What I'm talking about (If you haven't quite got what I'm trying to say) is something like this device, but a lot more cheap and without any unnecessary features (and preferably integrated into the motherboard itself without the need for A USB connection for it).

If there is such a wonderful product (preferably with optical out), I would like to know about it.

Thanks in advance for all help.

Easiest way to output HR audio through PC

Reply #1
Some motherboards have onboard audio with SPDIF out. Alternatively you can get a USB-DAC.

Easiest way to output HR audio through PC

Reply #2
Some motherboards have onboard audio with SPDIF out. Alternatively you can get a USB-DAC.


From what I understand, the data that comes through the S/PDIF in the soundcard is audio, not raw data. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

About USB-DAC's: USB doesn't support high resolution audio (above 16/48), as far as I know. Correct me on this if I'm wrong here too.

Easiest way to output HR audio through PC

Reply #3
From what I understand, the data that comes through the S/PDIF in the soundcard is audio, not raw data.


SPDIF passes PCM (i.e. wav format), I do not know what you mean by audio vs. raw data.

Quote
About USB-DAC's: USB doesn't support high resolution audio (above 16/48), as far as I know. Correct me on this if I'm wrong here too.


Not really, many recent usb dacs support 192/24, there are USB dacs with even higher samplerate.

Easiest way to output HR audio through PC

Reply #4
From what I understand, the data that comes through the S/PDIF in the soundcard is audio, not raw data.


SPDIF passes PCM (i.e. wav format), I do not know what you mean by audio vs. raw data.

Quote
About USB-DAC's: USB doesn't support high resolution audio (above 16/48), as far as I know. Correct me on this if I'm wrong here too.


Not really, many recent usb dacs support 192/24, there are USB dacs with even higher samplerate.


Thanks for the help, guys. I'll guess I'll buy a USB DAC then.


Easiest way to output HR audio through PC

Reply #6
I'm about to buy a new PC, and I want to know how to efficiently output high-resolution digital audio DATA through it to a DAC (and then to an amp and headphones).

All of those Creative SoundBlaster cards seem too expensive and overly packed with unnecessary features, so I thought: "There has to be a way to just output the raw digital data from the PC straight to the DAC without any processing", But I haven't found any easy and cheap way to do it.

What I'm talking about (If you haven't quite got what I'm trying to say) is something like this device, but a lot more cheap and without any unnecessary features (and preferably integrated into the motherboard itself without the need for A USB connection for it).

If there is such a wonderful product (preferably with optical out), I would like to know about it.

Thanks in advance for all help.


If you get a motherboard with a coax or optical digital output, which is a fairly common feature, you have what you need for listening to music for enjoyment. Sometimes the digital output is terminated with a connector on the board, and you will need an inexpensive optional connector on a bracket to bring the connection to the back panel of the PC.