Probably dumb question …

[tonescout]

Hi everyone,

I am using an old MacBook to put a digital stream through a USB input on a small cheap DAC.

I am considering changing the MacBook for a better streamer and wondered about the input, as the streamer I am looking at has only optical or Coax digital output.

So my dumb question is

Does the USB connection just take +ve digital stream, and GND (ignoring 5V as it's powered by AC adaptor) and so I could make a simple connection that takes the digital signal from the Coax in a streamer and patch it into the digital signal connections in as USB cable/connector?

Is there anything different about the digital signal?

Thanks!

 

[Galu]

The digital audio format from a coaxial output is S/PDIF, like optical digital audio.

I believe there is no simple way to convert S/PDIF to USB.

 

[tonescout]

Thanks for the reply, seems a shame it's not as simple as I had hoped

 

[CondeMor]

As an apple user, I’m very disappointed. You spend a lot of money and get nothing, because every hardware they sell needs another hardware to reach certain grade of quality. This is an example.

 

[digitalthor]

You could also look at these.... maybe they can both give you a steamer and DAC in one package

https://www.hifiberry.com/