Thread: need a digital input on amp

Try a DAC or processor!!

The whole purpose is to keep the signal truely digital as long as possible - all the way to the amp. A DAC defeats the purpose. If I have to convert, I would rather go to optical and find an amp with an optical input.

Then Google it.

Here you go http://www.cardomain.com/item/PHOR51MT

I ordered one this morning to test out. It looks like it should be ideal for people considering doing away with a head unit yet still having good control over their speakers. It has on screen programming, optical in, and coaxial in.

That looks pretty nice. Not too bad of a price either. I wish it had a little bit more power at least on the subwoofer channel.

The whole purpose is to keep the signal truely digital as long as possible - all the way to the amp. A DAC defeats the purpose. If I have to convert, I would rather go to optical and find an amp with an optical input.

What do you think is happening inside the amp? In theory a self contained unit should be better than two seperate units but if the amp is using poor DACs itself then performance will suffer. You could also argue the case that the DACs inside the amp are using the same power supplies as the rest of the amp which could introduce undesirable sonic effects.

In fact, I will go out on a limb here and say a dedicated DAC plus good amplifier will sound better than almost all other DAC + AMP combos for a similar amount of money out there.

I also think a good DAC and a good amp will sound better. You can send the signal with a fiber optic or high end digital cable and then use high end RCA to send to the amp (as close as possible to the DAC).

Altough Phoenix Gold makes really good amps, they aren't as good since their head engineer is now in a new co. called Concept.

Plus when having a separate DAC, you can then send your signals to many amps, controlling perfectly the power you want for your components.

Etienne

In my opinion and experience Alpine's PXA-H900 is one of the best processors that can do the job!!! It also has 11-ch outputs!!!:P:P

Originally Posted by DjBac

In my opinion and experience Alpine's PXA-H900 is one of the best processors that can do the job!!! It also has 11-ch outputs!!!:P:P

your'e talking about the top of the line

if you have th emoney, that's the best you can get!!!

Etienne