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Post by dsonyay on May 25, 2019 15:48:12 GMT -5
If I connect the ERC-4 balanced outputs to my XSP-1 to listen to CDs.
Is there a way to stream Tidal from my laptop into the ERC-4 digital inputs using the same balanced outputs going to XSP1?
I don't see a USB digital input on the back of the ERC-4 and not sure if theres some sort way to convery USB out from my laptop to either the optical or coax inputs.
I don't think my laptop has an optical output.. and definitely no coax output.
Out of luck? Or maybe I'm trying to do something that the ERC-4 is not designed to do?
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Post by brubacca on May 25, 2019 16:00:29 GMT -5
Many companies used to sell usb- SPDIF converters.
Schiit Audio has the Eitr for $179 and its excellent. Maybe you can find a Musical Fidelity V-Link 192 on the used market. They were also excellent (as were the V-Link v1 (Black) and V2 (Silver). Many others available.
Also so Laptops have a dual optical/3.5mm output. You need a special cable if you have this combo port.
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Post by dsonyay on May 25, 2019 16:30:23 GMT -5
Many companies used to sell usb- SPDIF converters. Schiit Audio has the Eitr for $179 and its excellent. Maybe you can find a Musical Fidelity V-Link 192 on the used market. They were also excellent (as were the V-Link v1 (Black) and V2 (Silver). Many others available. Also so Laptops have a dual optical/3.5mm output. You need a special cable if you have this combo port. So my idea may work after all. So if I steam Tidal from laptop into ERC4.. the outputs to XSP1 can be the same ones Im using to play CDs?
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novisnick
EmoPhile
CEO Secret Monoblock Society
Posts: 27,213
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Post by novisnick on May 25, 2019 16:31:24 GMT -5
If I connect the ERC-4 balanced outputs to my XSP-1 to listen to CDs. Is there a way to stream Tidal from my laptop into the ERC-4 digital inputs using the same balanced outputs going to XSP1? I don't see a USB digital input on the back of the ERC-4 and not sure if theres some sort way to convery USB out from my laptop to either the optical or coax inputs. I don't think my laptop has an optical output.. and definitely no coax output. Out of luck? Or maybe I'm trying to do something that the ERC-4 is not designed to do? Does your computer have a headphone out jack? If so your in luck!
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Post by dsonyay on May 25, 2019 16:33:30 GMT -5
If I connect the ERC-4 balanced outputs to my XSP-1 to listen to CDs. Is there a way to stream Tidal from my laptop into the ERC-4 digital inputs using the same balanced outputs going to XSP1? I don't see a USB digital input on the back of the ERC-4 and not sure if theres some sort way to convery USB out from my laptop to either the optical or coax inputs. I don't think my laptop has an optical output.. and definitely no coax output. Out of luck? Or maybe I'm trying to do something that the ERC-4 is not designed to do? Does your computer have a headphone out jack? If so your in luck! Yes.. well its a speaker jack.. but yes. So what would I need to rig up?
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Post by AudioHTIT on May 25, 2019 16:39:19 GMT -5
Does your computer have a headphone out jack? If so your in luck! Yes.. well its a speaker jack.. but yes. So what would I need to rig up? But then you’re using the DAC in your laptop, instead of the likely much better one in the ERC-4. However if your laptop has a dual-function headphone jack as was mentioned (Apple’s do), then you just need a TOSLink to mini-TOSLink cable.
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Post by creimes on May 25, 2019 16:40:47 GMT -5
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Post by dsonyay on May 25, 2019 16:47:13 GMT -5
Not sure if mine does.
But would that converter take the analog output and bring it back to digital ? Particularly MQA.. like when I'm streaming Tidal. Kinda confusing because of the analog outputs on laptop
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Post by creimes on May 25, 2019 16:48:08 GMT -5
The converter would go USB from your Laptop to it and then Optical to the ERC-4
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Post by dsonyay on May 25, 2019 16:48:53 GMT -5
I saw this ... Usb to coax
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Post by creimes on May 25, 2019 16:50:40 GMT -5
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Post by dsonyay on May 25, 2019 16:51:54 GMT -5
The converter would go USB from your Laptop to it and then Optical to the ERC-4 Ok cool.. so to get signal to XSP1.. I could use same XLR outputs I'd be using to send CDs to XSP1? I'd be sharing the outputs with cd player?
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Post by creimes on May 25, 2019 16:55:08 GMT -5
The converter would go USB from your Laptop to it and then Optical to the ERC-4 Ok cool.. so to get signal to XSP1.. I could use same XLR outputs I'd be using to send CDs to XSP1? I'd be sharing the outputs with cd player? Yup, though your amp is not fully differential balanced, I owned two XPA-1L amps with my first XMC-1 and never could discern a difference with them compared to my XPA-5 haha, what DAC are you using right now for your laptop, why not grab a a Schiit Modi 2 on clearance or new Modi 3 and plug your laptop into it and then RCA cables to an input of your XSP-1 Chad
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Post by dsonyay on May 25, 2019 17:01:09 GMT -5
Ok cool.. so to get signal to XSP1.. I could use same XLR outputs I'd be using to send CDs to XSP1? I'd be sharing the outputs with cd player? Yup, though your amp is fully differential balanced, I owned two XPA-1L amps with my first XMC-1 and never could discern a difference with them compared to my XPA-5 haha, what DAC are you using right now for your laptop, why not grab a a Schiit Modi 2 on clearance or new Modi 3 and plug your laptop into it and then RCA cables to an input of your XSP-1 Chad Chad... Right now .. no DAC. A little while back I was pushing Tidal through my laptop to a PT100 vis usb. But I sold the PT100 to get the XSP1. I've been thinking of the Modi3 (or a Modi2 if Still around). Yes.. that was my original thinking. But when I saw the ERC 4 specs, I thought.. hmmm a nice CD playerbwith DAC and digital inputs... So ERC became an option. But I do have a CD100.. so yeah, I could always stick with that and jist do a Modi3. And in a way it may be the most cost effective
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Post by dsonyay on May 25, 2019 17:15:52 GMT -5
Whats crazy is a Modi 2 is now 49 bucks on Amazon.. Modi 2 Uber about 60 (power cord version)
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Post by brubacca on May 25, 2019 18:07:03 GMT -5
To answer your question,
Yes if you stream Tidal Digital from your laptop through a USB/SPDIF converter to the ERC-4, you will then use the same inut on the XSP-1. You will need to switch the input in the CD player from the CD Drive to the Optical/Coax In.
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novisnick
EmoPhile
CEO Secret Monoblock Society
Posts: 27,213
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Post by novisnick on May 25, 2019 19:14:17 GMT -5
Does your computer have a headphone out jack? If so your in luck! Yes.. well its a speaker jack.. but yes. So what would I need to rig up? A small HP jack can have an adapter that makes it a fiber optic cable.
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Post by Loop 7 on May 25, 2019 20:00:06 GMT -5
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Post by creimes on May 25, 2019 20:13:46 GMT -5
Yup, though your amp is fully differential balanced, I owned two XPA-1L amps with my first XMC-1 and never could discern a difference with them compared to my XPA-5 haha, what DAC are you using right now for your laptop, why not grab a a Schiit Modi 2 on clearance or new Modi 3 and plug your laptop into it and then RCA cables to an input of your XSP-1 Chad Chad... Right now .. no DAC. A little while back I was pushing Tidal through my laptop to a PT100 vis usb. But I sold the PT100 to get the XSP1. I've been thinking of the Modi3 (or a Modi2 if Still around). Yes.. that was my original thinking. But when I saw the ERC 4 specs, I thought.. hmmm a nice CD playerbwith DAC and digital inputs... So ERC became an option. But I do have a CD100.. so yeah, I could always stick with that and jist do a Modi3. And in a way it may be the most cost effective Yes a Modi DAC will be more cost effective compared to a ERC-4 and USB to Coax adapter, you could sell the CD-100 to recoup some cost but it would still cost more, I think a Modi 3 for the laptop and CD-100 would be great, all comes down to what you want to spend haha, trust me it never ends Chad
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Post by Loop 7 on May 25, 2019 21:40:26 GMT -5
Yes a Modi DAC will be more cost effective compared to a ERC-4 and USB to Coax adapter, you could sell the CD-100 to recoup some cost but it would still cost more, I think a Modi 3 for the laptop and CD-100 would be great, all comes down to what you want to spend haha, trust me it never ends Even though I recommended the Schiit Eitr, I have to agree on the Modi 3. I bought a Modi 3 for a friend and it's really something. I believe it also has the latest Schiit USB technology. Such a smooth sounding DAC but with a lot of up top air. $100 .... crazy inexpensive. Plus, it has three digital inputs.
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