[bmckenney]

I'd like to do a DAC shootout with two DACs, one of them being a BDA from a local dealer.  My transport is a Mac Mini music server.  I've heard that the optical in is better than USB on the BDA so I'd like to go that route so I get the most of out the BDA and it gets a fair shot against the other DAC.  I'm not at all familiar with digital interfaces like optical.  I know the Mac mini has (besides USB) a dual output jack out that can do analog audio out (mini headphone type) as well as a digital out which I believe is optical.  Can I use a normal optical digital cable for this, or so I need a specialized optical cable that has a mini jack on the source end?

Bryan

[werd]

Hi BMC

Wait till you get the rm-20, Its going shake things up a bit for you. It does raise the output of the BDA while in usb. Just a suggestion. ymmv

[srb]

You can use a standard optical cable with a Toslink to Mini-Toslink adapter, or if you prefer not to use an adapter, you can buy a Toslink to Mini-Toslink cable.
 
Here are some examples:
 
Cable: http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10229&cs_id=1022902&p_id=1556&seq=1&format=2
 
Adapter: http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10423&cs_id=1042301&p_id=2671&seq=1&format=2
 
Steve

[CraigS720]

You can use a standard optical cable that has a mini jack on one end and a full size jack on the other or you can buy a mini jack adapter for any standard full size jack optical cable. Using the optical cable you are limited to 24/96 files.

If, however, you are like me and want to play 24/176.4 (Reference Recordings) of 24/192 files from your computer (in my case a MacBook Pro) you can buy a firewire interface and be able to output those files as well. I bought a used RME Fireface 400 on gearslutz.com but there are less expensive adapters. And the good news is the BDA-1 will take 24/192.

If you are just looking to test the dac then the optical cable will work fine.

Craig

[bmckenney]

You can use a standard optical cable that has a mini jack on one end and a full size jack on the other or you can buy a mini jack adapter for any standard full size jack optical cable. Using the optical cable you are limited to 24/96 files.

If, however, you are like me and want to play 24/176.4 (Reference Recordings) of 24/192 files from your computer (in my case a MacBook Pro) you can buy a firewire interface and be able to output those files as well. I bought a used RME Fireface 400 on gearslutz.com but there are less expensive adapters. And the good news is the BDA-1 will take 24/192.

If you are just looking to test the dac then the optical cable will work fine.

Craig

I just need a cable to do an audition of it and comparison to the other DAC to see which one I like better.  The dealer doesn't have a mini-optical cable but has a normal optical cable.  So maybe I can find the adapter.  Or he said Radio Shack has the mini-optical cable.  Must be a cheapo one but hopefully not too compromised and good enough for the shoot out.

The other DAC I will be comparing the BDA too is the Metric Halo ULN-2.

Bryan

[CraigS720]

I haven't listened to the Metric Halo ULN-2 but I understand it is terrific! The Metric Halo ULN-2 has a firewire interface, no? I think that would be preferable to the optical out. But i understand if you want to compare apples to apples. Let us know how the shootout ends!

[drubin]

Another thing you can do is use the Metric Halo as a Firewire - S/PDIF or AES/EBU converter.  This will allow you to use Firewire out from the Mac to both the BDA-1 and the MH.  I did exactly that comparison myself.  However, it may take a bit more fussing than you want.  The MH is a pro device and can be a bit tricky to set up, and it's analog out uses TRS plugs, so you'll need adapters.

In me experience, optical cables exhibit greater differences than some other types of cables, and the difference between a cheap one and a decent glass cable can be substantial. 

Dan

[bmckenney]

Another thing you can do is use the Metric Halo as a Firewire - S/PDIF or AES/EBU converter.  This will allow you to use Firewire out from the Mac to both the BDA-1 and the MH.  I did exactly that comparison myself.  However, it may take a bit more fussing than you want.  The MH is a pro device and can be a bit tricky to set up, and it's analog out uses TRS plugs, so you'll need adapters.

In me experience, optical cables exhibit greater differences than some other types of cables, and the difference between a cheap one and a decent glass cable can be substantial. 

Dan

That sounds interesting.  I hadn't thought of usng the ULN2 to convert from Firewire to S/PDIF or AES/EBU for the BDA.  I should try this approach instead of using the Mac optical out.  I guess I'll have to spend more time that I thought reading the ULN2 manual!  Hopefully I can figure it out.

Bryan

[sfraser]

Too Bad you could not get a hold of a squeezeserver and a  couple  squeezebox's and run the digital coax out of each to the DAC's. You could even sync each of squeezebox's  up to play the same playlist simultaneously  and just sit back a flip between sources on your preamp.