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joementor
14
Sep 5, 2016
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IMO, this could be a fantastic deal if you approach it correctly. Avoid using USB, if you can. COMPUTERS ARE NOISE FACTORIES and USB power is a noise gateway for music. If you take advantage of the Topping D20 DAC's optical input, you avoid both problems. An optical cable will not pick up electrical interference (it can't because it transmit light pulses rather than electrical signals).
Here are two options: 1. For Mac: The headphone style audio output is actually two outputs in one, either an analog headphone output or an optical digital output (S/PDIF: Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format). To take advantage of this, get a Toslink mini to Toslink cable. I recommend the AudioQuest Forest OptiLink, but if that's too rich you can pick one up at MonoPrice or Amazon for less than $10. Avoid the adaptor at Monoprice ($0.89 / sku #2671) due to high failure rate. This WILL get you 24/96, plus big benefits in terms the elimination of noise in the audio signal or picked up by the cable.
2. No optical output? Check out the USB Disruptor. They have different versions depending on the type of USB output your computer has. This won't get you 24/96 from the D20, but why spend money on an expensive DAC if you haven't tackled the noise issue outlined above. It matters a heck of a lot more than the higher 24/96 resolution because you can't hear resolution masked by noise. If you can't go optical, you'll have to decide if the D20 DAC is for you. Do you have 24-bit music? Unless you buy your music from a company like HDtracks you probably don't. Once again, remember you won't hear resolution if you don't cure the noise problem. At www.USBDisruptor.com you can learn a lot more on why.
For $69.99, me thinks the Toppings D20 DAC is an outstanding deal (especially if hooked up right).
Joe (aka Audiomaven)
Sep 5, 2016
endasc2
18
Sep 6, 2016
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joementorah great advice ty. I didn't know they made toslink cables with a 3.5mm headphone jack end on them.
Sep 6, 2016
joementor
14
Sep 6, 2016
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endasc2Thank you endasc2.
Sep 6, 2016
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