DC-1 questions

[DavidR]

I'm thinking of getting a DAC to do several different jobs. Despite the cost the DC-1 it looks like the best option as it provides some flexibility with the inputs and outputs provided.

I will use it to play music from a computer and will use a USB cord.

I may use it for a center channel in the HT and come off the TV which has several options.

I don't have a surround system. My simple HT system uses the two sets of main outputs on the preamp: One main out to an amp for the fronts and the second main out to another amp for the rear speakers. I don't think I'll be changing this but I could go with a five channel amp. That's a topic for another thread and time.

Which digital input has the best SQ?:
- Coax
- Opt/Toslink
- USB
-BIN

[hemster]

As you'll be using the computer you'll use the USB input obviously.

For the TV you'll use either analog or digital. Coax and Optical/Toslink are a wash IMHO. TV's don't have XLR or AES outputs so use a coax cable as it's less prone to damage than optical.

In my office I have my TV feeding the DC-1 using the analog input and it sounds great with Airmotiv 4s. Miles better than the TV speakers which for a 26" LED TV are very tinny sounding. That's one of the drawbacks of making TVs slim.

[garbulky]

Center channel for TV. I am not sure what you are talking about here. But I doubt it can work that way. It's a two channel stereo DAC. It will not work with any kind of multichannel format. You probably know this but it is also not a speaker or an amp.

USB asynchronous with WASAPI engaged - at least on my PC was the worst transport method. The other ones were a toss up. They sounded equally good to my ears. Coax would be my choice. HOWEVER...when I say it was the worst transport method. Don't take that too strongly. It was barely perceptible...if that. In fact there is a good chance I imagined it. It'll do the job just fine. Just answering your question.

Now it is interesting to note that you can use a RCA coax cable on your BNC cable as well using a $7 adapter from radioshac. There are also optical to coax and vice versa converters you can use if you need to to get additional inputs. So you aren't restricted to one of each type

[DavidR]

Thanks for the responses. garbulky : I'd use a digital output from the TV to the DC-1 and then analog out to a third amp for a center channel speaker. I may not need a center channel once I get my fronts set up (AR91s) but it would allow me to control the volume independent of the fronts and rears.

<EDIT> OOPs....................Apparently my brain was not engaged when I typed this...............................