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Getting Into PC Audio and Need Help

I have a full blown 2 channel audio system, but I want to dive into PC Audio and have no idea what I'm doing but I think I have most of what I need, and am on the right track... I still need help though.

I have copied my cd collection onto my home PC (Dell Computer) with Windows Media 10 in Lossless format.

I have an Esoteric D-03 DAC already. Here is info on this dac:

http://www.esoteric.jp/products/esoteric/d03/indexe.html

What is the best way to connect my PC to Esoteric D-03 DAC? Do I need a seperate clock? The D-05 has a word clock input and a word clock output feature, so I'm not sure if I could use it's internal clock. Please explain what addional components (if any) I need, along with cables. Please also explain connections.
roor
roor OP
35 posts
 
I spoke with Esoteric and they recommend using a coxial digital output from my PC.

I just purchased two Glyph 2T (2000GB) hard drives for storing my music and a back up. These have firewire 400, firewire 800 and usb 2.0 outputs. The Glyph's are connected to my Dell PC via the Firewire 800 cables for super fast data transfer.

Question: How do I connect my Hard drives to my Esoteric D-03 DAC? Should I get a usb to s/pdif converter or is there something better for this application? Should I be using usb to s/pdif converter and if so....what high end ones do you recommend, or are there firewire to s/pdif coverters out there?

What type of converter do you recommend in between my PC/Glyh's and my Esoteric D-03 DAC?

Thanks in advance!
ballan
184 posts
 
For the performance of your DAC, I highly recommend something like the Weiss INT202 or similar product. The Wiess is FireWire to SPDIF.

I've also had good experience with the HiFace USB-SPDIF adaptor and the HagUSB.
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,606 posts
 
Roor,

I use a firewire to spdif converter by M-Audio called the Firewire Solo. I think it was $200 and probably less on sale. It sounds great. I would use Firewire over usb to covert to s/pdif.
roor OP
35 posts
 
Cerrot:

Isn't the M-Audio Firewire Solo more of an entry level piece? I've got a ton of money into my Esoteric D-03 DAC so I am pretty much looking at the best of the best at this point. I like the idea of a firewire input, but couldn't find many reviews on the Firewire Solo. Has anyone else tried this? If so, any thoughts??
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,606 posts
 
There are more expensive by RME, etc but that have a ton of inputs, which I don't need. To me, a firewire to s/pdif solution is the only one. You can also check out Focusrite. You already have an incredible dac so all the interface is doing is taking the firewire signal and converting it to an spdif signal. We aren't dealing with state of the art on this firewire/spdif stuff yet. You need to look at the pro market for firewire, mostly. Check there for reviews as well.
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