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R/E/P => R/E/P Archives => Dan Lavry => Topic started by: Socrates on October 13, 2006, 01:53:57 PM

Title: I just wanna get from my computer to spdif...
Post by: Socrates on October 13, 2006, 01:53:57 PM

Got a couple nice gadgets like a benchmark dac, but it frosts my donuts that I need to buy some sort of complete I/O solution that just happens to have spdif or aes/ebu plugs on it for me to hook it up to a computer.

So, I really wish someone would develop a simple firewire or usb to spdif/aes dongle so I don't have to buy an indifferent sound device just to get my high-end gear talking to the computer.

What do other people do?

Using a mac mini if that has any bearing on it--so firewire or usb are the only avenues.

Oh, Mark Knutson here.

Title: Re: I just wanna get from my computer to spdif...
Post by: Andy Peters on October 13, 2006, 03:10:28 PM

Socrates wrote on Fri, 13 October 2006 10:53

Got a couple nice gadgets like a benchmark dac, but it frosts my donuts that I need to buy some sort of complete I/O solution that just happens to have spdif or aes/ebu plugs on it for me to hook it up to a computer. So, I really wish someone would develop a simple firewire or usb to spdif/aes dongle so I don't have to buy an indifferent sound device just to get my high-end gear talking to the computer. What do other people do? Using a mac mini if that has any bearing on it--so firewire or usb are the only avenues.

Actually: the mac mini's audio line-in 1/8" jack is also a S/PDIF optical input.  The audio headphone out is also a S/PDIF optical out.  You can get fibers with the proper 1/8"-format connector.  you'll probably have to get a media-converter to go from electrical S/PDIF to optical.  I don't know WHERE you can get such fibers, as I've never looked.

-a

Title: Re: I just wanna get from my computer to spdif...
Post by: Socrates on October 13, 2006, 03:29:49 PM

Andy Peters wrote on Fri, 13 October 2006 15:10

Socrates wrote on Fri, 13 October 2006 10:53 Got a couple nice gadgets like a benchmark dac, but it frosts my donuts that I need to buy some sort of complete I/O solution that just happens to have spdif or aes/ebu plugs on it for me to hook it up to a computer. So, I really wish someone would develop a simple firewire or usb to spdif/aes dongle so I don't have to buy an indifferent sound device just to get my high-end gear talking to the computer. What do other people do? Using a mac mini if that has any bearing on it--so firewire or usb are the only avenues. Actually: the mac mini's audio line-in 1/8" jack is also a S/PDIF optical input.  The audio headphone out is also a S/PDIF optical out.  You can get fibers with the proper 1/8"-format connector.  you'll probably have to get a media-converter to go from electrical S/PDIF to optical.  I don't know WHERE you can get such fibers, as I've never looked. -a

Wow. The benchmark has an optical--maybe I need to check the apple store for a light cable--since it would be so simple, I imagine it will be impossible to find.

Oh, and thanks!

Title: Re: I just wanna get from my computer to spdif...
Post by: Ronny on October 13, 2006, 05:34:06 PM

Most of them aren't fiber but plastic. The 1/8" is fairly common and used mainly for portable MD players, 1/8th optical on one end and Toslink on the other. The jack on these players are dual analog and spdif, if you insert an 1/8" TRS stereo plug you'll get L and R analog outs, if you insert a 1/8" optical connector you'll get the SPdif L and R optical output. I have one that I've never used, it's 1/8" optical to Toslink and I think about 6 feet, if you have a problem finding one you can have mine for the shipping. Just contact me off list at ronny@digitakmastering.com

Title: Re: I just wanna get from my computer to spdif...
Post by: Socrates on October 14, 2006, 06:49:33 PM

Well, thanks a million.  I went to the apple store and picked up one of those toslink adapter/cables.  It was $30, what a rip off.

They probably make more money on the cables than the computer sales.

So, it works fine--the mac mini is married to the benchmark-playing as I type. Now, I will likely e-bay my mackie 400f.

Ronnie--thanks for the offer--I am probably set for now, I just couldn't wait for a week....

Title: Re: I just wanna get from my computer to spdif...
Post by: Gunnar Hellquist on October 15, 2006, 04:05:28 AM

Hi Socrates,
       happy to hear it worked out for you.

I run a PC without SPDIF out. In my case an M-Audio USB Transit does the job without any fuzz.

Gunnar

Title: Re: I just wanna get from my computer to spdif...
Post by: Ronny on October 15, 2006, 05:28:01 AM

Socrates wrote on Sat, 14 October 2006 18:49

Well, thanks a million.  I went to the apple store and picked up one of those toslink adapter/cables.  It was $30, what a rip off. They probably make more money on the cables than the computer sales. So, it works fine--the mac mini is married to the benchmark-playing as I type. Now, I will likely e-bay my mackie 400f. Ronnie--thanks for the offer--I am probably set for now, I just couldn't wait for a week....

Glad that you got it going.