Q: Anyway to add tube between usb/optical output and optical input?

Ultralight · « **on:** 2 Jan 2016, 07:00 pm »

Don't know anything about this so hope this is the right forum to post.

Is there a high quality device that takes USB or OPTICAL output from a CD (or computer) - run it through a SET tube stage - and then output again in Optical? Yes, I know we are adding an conversion form digital to analog and then back to digital again which is probably anathema to purists.

Curious.

Thanks!

Mr Peabody · « **Reply #1 on:** 20 Jan 2016, 04:43 pm »

I'm not sure what the point of that would be, as you stated it would be digital before and after. It would be interesting to know if what you propose would have any affect at all. I suppose it's possible if digital can be equalized or altered in the digital state.

Ultralight · « **Reply #2 on:** 20 Jan 2016, 05:21 pm »

To get a tube sound influence on an all solid state system.

Mr Peabody · « **Reply #3 on:** 20 Jan 2016, 05:45 pm »

There are tube buffers you can insert in your system somewhere in the analog path.

Have you experimented with cables/speaker connects? It doesn't give "tube" sound but could add warmth or take the sound quality up a notch overall that you might find more satisfying.

Ultralight · « **Reply #4 on:** 20 Jan 2016, 05:55 pm »

Problem is that I am experimenting with a system that is digital all the way without any analog input/output. So it's USB out at source, and then optical input at the end of the chain.

Thanks

Rusty Jefferson · « **Reply #5 on:** 20 Jan 2016, 08:50 pm »

Quote from: Ultralight on 20 Jan 2016, 05:55 pm

Problem is that I am experimenting with a system that is digital all the way without any analog input/output. So it's USB out at source, and then optical input at the end of the chain.

Thanks

This makes no sense to me. USB into a DAC? Optical out to what?

Tone Depth · « **Reply #6 on:** 26 Jan 2016, 10:15 pm »

digital-DAC-tube buffer-ADC-digital.

Quote from: Ultralight on 2 Jan 2016, 07:00 pm

Don't know anything about this so hope this is the right forum to post.

Is there a high quality device that takes USB or OPTICAL output from a CD (or computer) - run it through a SET tube stage - and then output again in Optical? Yes, I know we are adding an conversion form digital to analog and then back to digital again which is probably anathema to purists.

Curious.

Thanks!

timind · « **Reply #7 on:** 26 Jan 2016, 11:14 pm »

Quote from: Rusty Jefferson on 20 Jan 2016, 08:50 pm

This makes no sense to me. USB into a DAC? Optical out to what?

Makes no sense to me either. What equipment are you using? If the final stage has has a pre out you could use that in to a tube amp. If you really want tube sound.