question about headphone dac/amps

moon man · 19 Jul 2008 at 18:14

As title , how do you use a digital to analouge converter(i.e in a combined amp dac ): isnt the line out signal or the headphone signal already converted to analogue with the players own dac
sorry if its a dumb question

badbob · 19 Jul 2008 at 18:16

You feed a DAC a digital audio signal which is then converted to analogue, then outputted to RCA's. Line out is amplified analogue signal so you don't connect that to a DAC. Only headphones. Ideally you wouldn't connect it to normal line level input, since the signal is amplified. You want line out from your mp3 player.

Mansize_tissue · 19 Jul 2008 at 23:11

Not many PMPs are capable of outputting a digital audio signal so, largely for portable use anyway, DACs aren't really useful. I believe there are one or 2 PMPs which have optical outs, though, if I recall correctly.

moon man · 20 Jul 2008 at 12:43

thanks for the replies it was looking at this www.ibasso.com/en/products/show.asp?ID=32 that promted me to ask

badbob · 20 Jul 2008 at 12:44

iriver h120/h140 have optical out, but if you do have a portable dac also need a headphone amp too.

Mansize_tissue · 20 Jul 2008 at 19:40

badbob said:
iriver h120/h140 have optical out, but if you do have a portable dac also need a headphone amp too.

IRIVER!! That's the name I was thinking of, I just... couldn't!