steveinspain
21-09-2009, 18:06
OK, this is pretty much my first post here, and I am totally ignorant of DAC's.
I understand the basics of what they do, but need my hand held for a while - any help much appreciated. I will quickly point out that I am in rural Spain, and get internet and phone via a microwave system, which barely works - often it doesn't at all - speeds of 2kb/sec are regular, though we have been as high as 30 - all you broadband folks better not complain to me ! This means that I am unable to search easily, so while I am sure there are easy-to-find answers out there, it often takes me a few minutes to go from one page to another (as I have found reading the 'Digital Impression' thread here..).. Given this, I apologies for asking what may well be covered elsewhere, but pointing me towards the right place would be much appreciated !!
Right, I want to connect my pc to my hifi, which is a pretty decent system, made up of high end Avondaled Naim gear, with vinyl handled by an Orbe, SME1V and Tom Evans Groove.
I have an M-Audio 2496 soundcard, but there are no drivers for Windows 7, so I cannot use it at present.
So, if I get a DAC, can I take out the soundcard (my mobo is an Asus P5Q pro, so there is a digital out) and if so, from what I have been trying to learn, I need to get something like a Beresford caiman - what difference do the different connecting cables make and why ?
What else is there that I need to think about or learn about ?
Thanks all in advance, and can I just mention that Stan of Beresford fame has already been helpful, answering my questions sent direct to him on a Sunday and offering me a home trial despite my location !
I understand the basics of what they do, but need my hand held for a while - any help much appreciated. I will quickly point out that I am in rural Spain, and get internet and phone via a microwave system, which barely works - often it doesn't at all - speeds of 2kb/sec are regular, though we have been as high as 30 - all you broadband folks better not complain to me ! This means that I am unable to search easily, so while I am sure there are easy-to-find answers out there, it often takes me a few minutes to go from one page to another (as I have found reading the 'Digital Impression' thread here..).. Given this, I apologies for asking what may well be covered elsewhere, but pointing me towards the right place would be much appreciated !!
Right, I want to connect my pc to my hifi, which is a pretty decent system, made up of high end Avondaled Naim gear, with vinyl handled by an Orbe, SME1V and Tom Evans Groove.
I have an M-Audio 2496 soundcard, but there are no drivers for Windows 7, so I cannot use it at present.
So, if I get a DAC, can I take out the soundcard (my mobo is an Asus P5Q pro, so there is a digital out) and if so, from what I have been trying to learn, I need to get something like a Beresford caiman - what difference do the different connecting cables make and why ?
What else is there that I need to think about or learn about ?
Thanks all in advance, and can I just mention that Stan of Beresford fame has already been helpful, answering my questions sent direct to him on a Sunday and offering me a home trial despite my location !