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Thread: Idiots guide to using a DAC with USB

  1. #1
    Join Date: Jul 2015

    Location: Cheshire

    Posts: 84
    I'm Peter.

    Default Idiots guide to using a DAC with USB

    I have a Topping D90MQA DAC. I would like to connect my laptop or iPad to the DAC via USB to play High Res and MQA files.

    Laptop - do I have to download any particular drivers to the laptop because at the moment the sound only comes out of the laptop and not the speakers. I’ve looked in settings on the laptop but not really familiar with how this works. I’m using Windows 8.1 software

    iPad - I understand I will probably need an Apple camera connector kit with a USB port that I can also power up through a separate Apple lightning conductor

    Any help or comments greatly appreciated

  2. #2
    Join Date: Feb 2013

    Location: W Lothian

    Posts: 99,005
    I'm Grant.

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    laptop, right click the speaker icon at bottom right and then click; open sound settings... then change sound output to the topping dac
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  3. #3
    Join Date: Jan 2008

    Location: Norfolk, UK

    Posts: 6,209
    I'm BigBobJoylove.

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    As you’re using Windows you will need the right driver for your Topping D90...

    http://www.tpdz.net/download

    Once installed, follow the instructions above.
    _

    On the iPad, Apple do a USB adapter with Lightning port for power...

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01DGDNL..._0ZqzFbA8AZ2DN

    Apple devices don’t require drivers for USB devices.

  4. #4
    Join Date: Jul 2015

    Location: Cheshire

    Posts: 84
    I'm Peter.

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    Thanks for the help so far. I bought the adapter today but haven’t tried it yet. To use the laptop I have to download the drivers but my laptop only has Microsoft 8.1 and I need version 10. Still a work in progress, will try the adaptor now.

  5. #5
    Join Date: Jul 2015

    Location: Cheshire

    Posts: 84
    I'm Peter.

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    Ok, making progress with iPad.

    The DAC is connected with a USB cable into the USB 3 adapter which is powered with a lighting connector. I have opened the Tidal app and played an MQA file which shows as a Master on the app but on the DAC the sampling rate shows 44.1 kHz and I would have expected at least 96kHz.

    Any ideas why this is?

  6. #6
    Join Date: Jan 2008

    Location: Norfolk, UK

    Posts: 6,209
    I'm BigBobJoylove.

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    V4.86 works on Windows 7 and above.

    http://www.tpdz.net/newsinfo/435189.html

  7. #7
    Join Date: Jan 2008

    Location: Norfolk, UK

    Posts: 6,209
    I'm BigBobJoylove.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by supapeet View Post
    Ok, making progress with iPad.

    The DAC is connected with a USB cable into the USB 3 adapter which is powered with a lighting connector. I have opened the Tidal app and played an MQA file which shows as a Master on the app but on the DAC the sampling rate shows 44.1 kHz and I would have expected at least 96kHz.

    Any ideas why this is?
    Is your Tidal subscription the ‘Hi-Fi’ variant?

  8. #8
    Join Date: Jul 2015

    Location: Cheshire

    Posts: 84
    I'm Peter.

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    Yes it is

  9. #9
    Join Date: Jan 2008

    Location: Norfolk, UK

    Posts: 6,209
    I'm BigBobJoylove.

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    Have you set the streaming settings to Hi-Fi/Master?

    In Audio > Device > Renderer Only

    Then

    Advanced > MQA Core Decoder > Yes

  10. #10
    Join Date: Jul 2015

    Location: Cheshire

    Posts: 84
    I'm Peter.

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    I’ve set the settings to Master in my collection but I can’t find the menus you suggest up there which is probably the issue.

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