I was a bit reluctant to post in this section, mainly because a lot of my questions are of a general nature and I didn't want it to be tied down to 'one manufacturer'.
However, as (atm) one way I'm heading is the pace car, I've decided to stick it in here.
Quick background, have DIY speakers which run as active three way using the deqx. (another reason to post here I spose, as the deqx would be well known heh heh)
I was originally interested in going the computer as front end route, and was advised by someone who's opinion I trust to use the pace car into the deqx from my computer.
Anyway, just cause I thought if I was gonna do this I may as well do it properly, I went ahead and built the CMP from AA. If I was going to use a computer, i may as well use one fully optimized for stereo playback. As it happens, even though it's not fully setup yet it is a worthwhile improvement over my previous front end (which, to be honest, was not 'high end'..but I digress)
So at the moment I am using digital out from the soundcard into the deqx. The pace car as I understand it is a usb link.
For the dummies (read me) why would using the pace car (or equivalent) give any sonic benefits? At the end of the day, it is 'only' a link is it not? Obviously there is more to it than that, but why is it better?
For some strange reason, I'm pondering (diy mainly I spose, I'm pretty stingy when it comes to stereo) getting the digital out option on the deqx and using different dacs. But the question is would anything be gained from that? From what I can gather, the dac in the deqx is the same/similar to the dac in the benchmark, if that is true and the benchmark is a reasonably well regarded aftermarket dac, the there is not much to be gained is there. Further to that, from what I can gather Empirical in all the mods didn't go to the bother of changing the dacs (true??) which maybe again points to not much being wrong with the dacs already in the unit.
But, I have also come across I2S (NOT that I really understand it), maybe there are gains to be made if that were implemented? That however may require an extra mod on the deqx, which I don't think Steve does any more (mod the deqx I mean)
The asking for the pace car is not too outrageous, could quite easily and happily come to that, but I guess how far can I go here. If there are some suitable diy dacs available, which ones and would they better what is already there? different dacs for bass, mid treble?
Very happy indeed for Mr Nugent to respond, equally happy for any alternative viewpoints as well.
EDIT boy, aint this embarressing....teach me to have a few beers before posting won't it (nahhh)
earlier I mentioned the Pace car,,,why? dunno. what I meant to say was off ramp turbo 2 heh heh. So forget everything I wrote..well maybe not everything!
So looking at using the off ramp between the computer and the deqx, the questions on the ourboard dacs still apply, and would be great if I could understand why the off ramp (a 'mere' connector??) would make a difference.
sorry for the confusion.