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June 22, 2020 - 6:17am
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Arthabaska
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Digital source for my DAC

Hi!
I'm completely new to this hobby, having recently inherited hifi audio equipment.
I'm trying to find a way to input high quality content to my DAC, for example FLAC files or high definition streaming (like Tidal).

My setup is as follows:
Benchmark DAC1 (no USB inputs)
Exposure 2010S amplifier
Castle speakers, Eden model

I could use an iPhone, MacBook, or PC Laptop as sources for files, but didn't figure out yet out to output lossless digital files from those devices, and input them via the input ports on the DAC (Toslink, Coaxial or XLR?).
Most solutions I've seen online involve USB ports on the DAC, but sadly this particular model is probably just a bit too old to have one.

Anyway, any help will be appreciated!

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June 22, 2020 - 9:20am
Kal Rubinson
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Most Macbooks or PC Laptops

Most Macbooks or PC Laptops have S/PDIF outputs on them but, if your devices do not, you can purchase an inexpensive USB-to-S/PDIF converter to make the connection.

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June 23, 2020 - 9:47am
Arthabaska
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What confused me is that most

What confused me is that most (all?) such converters that I can find are also DACs. Am I right to assume that going through the optical output won’t use the cheap DAC included, which is only used for the analog RCA or headphone outputs found on those devices?

See for example this device :
https://www.amazon.com/Proster-Converter-Headphone-Amplifier-Compatible/dp/B07SVYHFCD

Or maybe you have one to recommend?

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June 23, 2020 - 12:51pm
Kal Rubinson
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I've not delved deeply into

I've not delved deeply into this because I have never had a need for such a device but, at the low end, this looks like a suitable device: https://www.amazon.com/Douk-Audio-Converter-Interface-PCM192Khz/dp/B085XPRSGM/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=usb+to+spdif&qid=1592941663&sr=8-7

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June 23, 2020 - 4:38pm
Arthabaska
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Thanks!

Perfect suggestion! I will give this a try.

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June 23, 2020 - 5:21pm
Kal Rubinson
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Let us know how it works out.

Let us know how it works out.

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