Achilles

My main question is whether external DAC's can work without a computer and drivers or not. I am using my Xbox 360 with my monitor via HDMI. My monitor has horrible speakers, but it has SPDIF output. I was wondering if I get an external DAC, if I could use it with the SPDIF output of my monitor and plug in my headphones to it via RCA or 3.5mm. Or does it not work like that? Main reason I asked with DAC's is that external sound cards need drivers and since they do, they are pretty much out of the picture right? And also, an amp isnt completely necessary is it? It is just for better sound quality right?


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mrtn400

Yes, that will work fine.

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Achilles

Thanks for the reply.
So now,
1. By that you mean a DAC will work fine right? and not a sound card?
2. Do I have to look specifically for a DAC that runs without drivers? Or do all of them run without drivers?
3. What external DAC would you recommend for about 50 bucks?

hoth17

I have a DAC/Amp that I use. It has coaxial in from my sound card, optical in from my xbox and usb in from my laptop.

So, yes that would work nicely.

edit:

though I see now you want it for about 50... How about a nice DIY project?

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Achilles

Ok great. Sorry I keep asking but I just want to be sure. They all run without drivers or software right? I wont have to worry about that when I buy one? And I would do a DIY, but Im going back to my home state and staying the night at my friends house for 2 weeks for MW2 . My plane leaves the day after tomorrow so I wont have time for a DIY. I was actually going to ask if there was even one that is sold in local retailers like best buy or frys. I dont even want to wait for shipping.

Achilles

I just redid all my math and I can actually spend $80 on it, preferably with shipping. Any good suggestions for one in that price range?

tUDJ

External DACs are designed to be used with CD Players and Transports aswell so they, they don't interact with a computer OS like soundcards do so they don't need drivers.

All the DAC does is take the (digital) signal from the source and convert it to analogue to be sent out to an amplifier.

You can't connect headphones directly to a DAC via RCA cable, some DACs have built in headphone amps, if they don't you need a seperate amp.

I can't recommend one as I don't know of any priced that low - You'd be hard pushed to find one at a place like Best Buy, some of the HiFi specialist shops near me don't sell them.

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Achilles

Thanks alot for the reply. I was getting desperate with all the googling around. I figured I wouldnt be able to find them at local retailers after I saw that I couldnt even find many online.
Also, what you said about the drivers is what I thought originally too, but on some of them I read stuff like i'nstalls drivers automatically through usb', and OS compatibilities were listed, etc, made me think that they need drivers or OS support to run. Are you sure its all of them that dont?
I did see that I couldnt find many under 100, so I guess Ill spend a little more. I saw the AUNE Mini on ebay and read some good things about it around, but there are three things holding me back.

1. I dont want to wait for shipping from china.
2. I dont know if it can be used as a DAC and an Amp at once. Because it says that it can work either as an Amp or DAC, and has a switch on it to switch between Amp or DAC. I will be inputting coaxial SPDIF and listening with headphones, so I would need it to act as both at the same time, right?
3. I would preffer a smaller unit, but I see that all the smaller ones are either only amps, or if they are DAC's, the only digitial input they have is USB. I need coaxial.

TLDR:
So basically if I could find a portable battery powered DAC+Amp, under $160, and have it be able to take coaxial SPDIF, that would be great. Im willing to get a stationary one too though, just portability would be a nice perk if I could find one.



Thanks alot for the help.

Achilles

K, so I couldnt find any portable combos with coaxial inputs, so Im getting a stationary one.

I think Ill get the Musiland DIYEDEN SVDAC06.
If you guys could, please give me some feedback on your opinions on whether I should get this or not, and if not which one I should get. Id rather have it shipped from within the US, so I dont care if its Chinese, but Im only getting it if there's a US dealer selling them.

Thanks again for everybody's help .
Going to bed for now, but Ill check the thread first thing in the morning.