I want to try my SPDIF output, but have some n00b questions.

Firegod

Firegod

Firegod

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Hi all

Looking for some help with this one. I have the Xonar D2X soundcard which I have connected to my Cambridge Audio Azur 640A Amp. I'm currently running through the 3.5mm jacks, but noticed it has an SPDIF output and loads of Dolby/DTS features associated with this output.

I don't think I can connect to the Amp using this type of connection, am I right? It only has phono connectors on the back and terminals for the speaker cables to go to.

I've had a look online and as far as I can tell SPDIF is called Coaxial Cable? (Not Optical). It seems to be a regular Phono (RCA) connection, but I was confused as there is only x1 SPDIF output on the soundcard which means would I only plug in to one connector on the Amp.... so how does that do stereo sound?

Or do I need a new amp basically with some kind of dedicated SPDIF input. lol. :o


Cheers for any help!
 
You need an amp with a digital input or a digital to analogue converter which will convert it, not that that there would be any point as that amp is only 2 channel anyway.

SP/DIF can be via either a coaxial RCA terminated connection as i am guessing your soundcard has, or an optical toslink style connection. Arguably both work exactly the same. The single connection supports all the channels, far beyond stereo. Its simply a digital linkup between the 2 devices, so only one cable is required for the bitstream.
 
Thanks Jez. Much appreciated. :)

When you say my amp only supports 2 channels, why would this mean I can't do this? :o EDIT2: I only have a 2.1 setup, so would I not be ok.... if that's what you mean.


EDIT: And/Or what type of Amp would I need for arguments sake to get this to work? :)
 
Its not that you cant, its more that i wonder why you would want to use the digital output while only running 2 speakers? The point (generally speaking) of the digital output is for Dolby Digital and DTS support, which requires 6 speakers including a subwoofer and a 5/6 channel amp.
 
Jez said:
Its not that you cant, its more that i wonder why you would want to use the digital output while only running 2 speakers? The point (generally speaking) of the digital output is for Dolby Digital and DTS support, which requires 6 speakers including a subwoofer and a 5/6 channel amp.
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Ahhhh cheers. I didn't realise that the Dolby Digital "thing" was for a surround sound setup. I thought I could use it on my 2.1 setup and get better sound quality.

So is there no point basically. lol.
 
I am sure we will get people in here saying that there will be a difference in quality if you bought a 60 grand DAC and some solid silver cables etc, but to the normal person and with normal kit, the quality will be the same.

So yeah, no point :)
 
Jez said:
I am sure we will get people in here saying that there will be a difference in quality if you bought a 60 grand DAC and some solid silver cables etc, but to the normal person and with normal kit, the quality will be the same.

So yeah, no point :)
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And you have tried this ????............ I guess not !

2, 3, 5 , 7 or 50 channels is irrelevant to the debate, decoding from digital to analogue on a PC sound card, then outputting to a respectable amp like the Azur 640A is not going to be ideal. As the 640 doesn't have an on board dac and spdif connection, an external DAC would be improvement in sound.

So S/PDIF out of PC, to DAC, analogue from DAC to 640A.
There many DAC to choose from, even some less than 60K.... not sure about the colour of the wiring though ;)

Should give a pretty good improvement in sound, said by those that try it .....
 
The matching Cambridge DAC I believe can be had for slightly less than 60K :p

Well £230 it seems, must be a mis print .... hope it has silver wire though !!
 
2, 3, 5 , 7 or 50 channels is irrelevant to the debate, decoding from digital to analogue on a PC sound card, then outputting to a respectable amp like the Azur 640A is not going to be ideal. As the 640 doesn't have an on board dac and spdif connection, an external DAC would be improvement in sound.
Click to expand...

The Xonar has far better than average DACs onboard, though there would be a significant improvement by going for a DACmagic (£200ish) or Beresford (£120ish) DAC. The Beresford plugs in via your SPDIF and the DACmagic can either be used over SPDIF or via USB.

If it's sound quality you're after, then if you can justify the £120/£200 then it's well worth it. Otherwise don't bother :)
 
Hi everyone

Thanks for the replies. Would I honestly notice a difference with my humble 2.1 setup though, which I think is what Jez is saying, that in my situation I'd be hard pressed to tell the difference.

I run the Azur 640A, Morduant Short 902i speakers and the 309i Sub. Would the DACMagic at £230 be money well spent just to change to SPDIF?

I was hoping initially the answer was an easy "yes". Digital is uber better. lol. But Jez's comments have made it seem as though you need a decent setup to be able to tell the difference.

Thanks for anymore input and thoughts on the subject. :)
 
hi firegod, i was in a similar position

i previously used:

onboard (3.5 jack)-> cambridge audio A5 -> wharfdale 9.1
----------------------------------------------------------
NOW

onboard(via spdif) -> DacMagic -> cambridge audio A5 -> wharfdale 9.1

the dacmagic has made a big difference. i can hear detail of flac files and cds better. the gains should be even better for you as you have better amp and speakers :)

Also remember that the dac can be used for other sources such as xbox, cd players (anything that has a digital output).

remember that its £230 + CABLES
but yeah its upto you :D
 
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I just got a DacMagic.

Old setup: X-Fi analogue > NAD C352 > Monitor Audio BR2 speakers
New setup: DACMagic via USB > C352 > BR2

It does make a difference - sounds clearer, smoother and more rhythmic - but I'm not sure the difference is big enough to justify the money. If someone took the DacMagic out of the chain whilst I was in the toilet or something, I doubt I'd notice for a while. I'm in two minds as to whether to keep it.
 
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Thanks for the info.

I think for the time being I maybe better off bi-wiring my speakers and then review the DAC later on. :) By the sounds of it there is a slight increase in sound quality. As stated, perhaps not worth the cash though.
 
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