USB DAC Dumb

Mahler's point is Question 2 in my previous post.

D99, Your CD player probably has a SPDIF output.

Sending SPDIF Input to the DAC's USB input cannot be accomplished by a simple cable type of adapter/converter

You will need an electronic converter. 

USB - SPDIF converters are common, but I do not know of any SPDIF TO USB converters

Are you sure your amp does not have any other type of digital input? Such as optical

What amp do you have

Check out the Mutec-3 or even less money the Mutec-1.2

Williewonka 03-20-2016 9:23am edt
Sending SPDIF Input to the DAC’s USB input cannot be accomplished by a simple cable type of adapter/converter

+1.

Outputting a USB signal requires either a computer or a device that emulates the USB-related functionality and processing of a computer. A converter having that capability would certainly not be a simple adapter. I am not aware of any such converters, but if some exist I wouldn’t be surprised if you would be better off in terms of sonics as well as cost if you simply connect via analog, and use the player’s internal DAC.

Regards,
-- Al

Zmanastronomy, thanks for pointing out the Mutec devices, which certainly look interesting if not particularly inexpensive (the 1.2 appears to sell generally in the area of $450).

However, after looking at the manual for the 1.2 (http://www.mutec-net.com/downloads/manuals/MUTEC_MC-12_Manual_E_screen.pdf) I’m not at all sure that it would do what the OP requires. If the device is provided with a S/PDIF or AES/EBU input it can convert those signals to a USB output, but while it is not made entirely clear in the manual or the website description I believe a computer or equivalent would be required to receive the signal from that USB output. For example, note this statement on page 16:

The digital audio signal received at the selected input will be converted into an USB audio stream and send through the USB port into your computer, laptop or music server.

A typical audio DAC will certainly not be able to interrogate a USB output in the same manner a computer can.

And note that the USB connector on the device is USB type B, which is ordinarily used on peripherals that interface to a computer, not on the USB ports of computers or computer-like devices that communicate with those peripherals.

Regards,
-- Al