[geezer]

My recently acquired Acer Aspire notebook has an output jack that appears to take a mini-plug. The manual describes it as: "headphones/speaker/line-out jack." It further says "connects to audio line-out devices (e.g., speakers, headphones)." This description seems to indicate it's an analog source, and so if I want to run the audio through my two-channel system, I would use a stereo miniplug-to-double-RCA cable adapter and run it into the preamp. But what confuses me is that  the manual also says this jack has S/PDIF support, indicating a digital output.

Can one jack supply both analog and digital outputs? If so, I'd of course prefer to take the digital signal through my AVA DAC (which takes RCA plugs). What sort of plug would I need?

Has anyone out there seen this kind of thing before? If so, I'd really appreciate clarification, and (if it's possible) an explanation of how to get the digital signal to my DAC.

HELP!

[Wayner]

I've  never seen that myself. I guess try it. The usual way is to connect to the DAC is via USB port. That con be done with a converter box that will support a USB to S/PDIF output.  Digitalink make one.

Wayner

[Wayner]

The 3.5mm mini-jacks may be one of those goofy ones that has a built in fiber-optic jack built into the tip that works this way. It will accept either. I have a cable that fits into my mini-disc recorder/player that has the normal fiber-optic end on one end and a 3.5mm type mini-plug on the other end that is longer with an optical opening.

Don't have a clue where you would get this cable.

Wayner

[srb]

Here are a few cables 3.5mm optical to Toslink:
 
Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/3-5MM-TOSLINK-FIBER-OPTIC-CABLE-TOSLINK/dp/B00006LVF3
 
Buy.com
http://www.buy.com/prod/cables-to-go-velocity-lt-audio-cable-1-x-mini-phone-1-x-toslink-6-56ft/q/loc/101/205854802.html
 
Steve
 

[oneinthepipe]

I connect my Macintosh to an AVA DAC through the mini-plug, but the jack is an auto-detecting dual analog/digital optical plug.  When a 3.5 mini optical plug is inserted into the jack, the jack provides a digital optical output.  The 3.5 mini plug connects to a toslink cable, and then I use a Inday switch to convert the optical output to digital coax.  I don't know if your PC provides a digital output through the headphone jack, however, and if not, a USB to coax converter would appear to be the way to go.

[srb]

....through my AVA DAC (which takes RCA plugs).

Re-reading your post, I think you're saying that the AVA DAC does not have an optical input.
 
In that case, your options are as previously mentioned by oneinthepipe.
 
Steve

[gjs_cds]

I connect my Macintosh to an AVA DAC through the mini-plug, but the jack is an auto-detecting dual analog/digital optical plug.  When a 3.5 mini optical plug is inserted into the jack, the jack provides a digital optical output.  The 3.5 mini plug connects to a toslink cable, and then I use a Inday switch to convert the optical output to digital coax.  I don't know if your PC provides a digital output through the headphone jack, however, and if not, a USB to coax converter would appear to be the way to go.

Hey Pipe--Have you used the Airport Express yet?  I'm tempted to give it a go (although it would require the Inday switcher for me as well...)

For those that may not know, the Airport Express is a wireless receiver that plugs into any AC outlet and has both digital and analog audio out.  (The digital out is optical, so you'd need an optical to coax converter, like the Inday.)

http://www.apple.com/airportexpress/

Frank's DACs accept the industry standard PCM (16 bit / 44khz) input via RCA-coax.  I've never had a problem getting my data to the DAC; one just needs to find the right converters if necessary.

A USB input would be nice...although there's a fine balance between features and cost...

[WGH]

I have a Toshiba Satellite laptop that has the same type of audio/optical output jack but I choose to use the  USB output to the AVA DAC, in either case you will need a converter box. I use a HagUSB to convert USB to S/PDIF, Jim Hagerman is a top notch designer and this converter is one of the best.

Wayne

[gjs_cds]

I have a Toshiba Satellite laptop that has the same type of audio/optical output jack but I choose to use the  USB output to the AVA DAC, in either case you will need a converter box. I use a HagUSB to convert USB to S/PDIF, Jim Hagerman is a top notch designer and this converter is one of the best.

Wayne

Wow--genius product.  Thanks for the link!

[oneinthepipe]

Hey Pipe--Have you used the Airport Express yet? 

I haven't tried the Airport Express. I have a computer in my listening room and merely connect the computer with a toslink cable.  I use the Inday switcher not only as a toslink to coax converter but also to switch digital sources, i.e., CDP or computer, to the DAC.  I have two AVA DACs, but I prefer the Insight DAC with my current system. My iMac is hardwired to the router.  I rarely use my computer's wireless capabilities at home.  I even plug my MacBook Pro into a Cat 5 cable most of the time.

If I were to use a wireless system, I am not sure what I would use.  I like the Modwright TP, but I don't want to replace my AVA DACs.  I don't know enough about the other wireless systems, although a Duet with an upgraded power supply might be a good choice.

I only have one system in my home and currently don't need to stream music to other rooms.

Regardless, I plan to retire my Marantz CD5001 as a transport and use a computer-based system for digital files.  Notwithstanding, the best sound, in my system, is an LP on my old AR EB-101 turntable.

[geezer]

Thanks folks, for the input. I think I know how to do it now.

[pardales]

I have a Toshiba Satellite laptop that has the same type of audio/optical output jack but I choose to use the  USB output to the AVA DAC, in either case you will need a converter box. I use a HagUSB to convert USB to S/PDIF, Jim Hagerman is a top notch designer and this converter is one of the best.

Wayne

Ditto. HagUSB is excellent.