DAC clarification

Forums › Home Theatre (incl HTPC) › DAC clarification

mailmarshall

244 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 5

Topic # 164295 4-Feb-2015 15:36

My SQBox Touch is connected to Yamaha amp using SPDIF (Optical cable). It also has the ability to connect via digital coax as well.

The SQBOX has a inbuilt DAC and the Yamaha has one also.

Can anyone advise when the indivdual DAC's get utilised?

Someone told me that if I connect using digital COAX cable then the AMP DAC would be used but if I connect using the SPDIF (optical) then the SQbox DAC would be used. In my case the Yamaha AMP has the better DAC overall and I want to use that.

Dunnersfella

3467 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 521

Reply # 1231220 4-Feb-2015 16:33

One person supports this post

If you use a SPIDF or Coax cable, the DAC in your Yamaha will be utilised.
If you use analogue RCA interconnects, or XLR's - you will be using the DAC in your SQBox Touch.

mailmarshall

244 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 5

Reply # 1231401 4-Feb-2015 22:16

Thanks for the answer Dunnersfella

Would I plug analogue RCA interconnects into a analogue port on my AMP to get SQBox DAC to output?

Dunnersfella

3467 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 521

Reply # 1232020 5-Feb-2015 21:55

Correct.
If you use a digital cable from the DAC to the amp, you're simply passing the digital signal to the amp.
If you analogue interconnects from the DAC to the amp, you're prioritising the SQBox's DAC over the DAC in the Yamaha.