Connect Creative Pebble V3 to Topping DX1 II

[Sparky]

Hi all.

I have never owned a headphone amp so I'm really unsure about how best to connect my new Topping DX1 II to my Pebble V3's.
Proper noob question I suppose but I don't want to cause any damage to any components (if that's even possible).

Can I connect the Pebble V3's Aux 3.5m input to the DX1 II's balanced output by way of a 4.4mm to 3.5mm adapter?

The only other connection I have is my 7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2 IEM's via the 3.5mm headphone output on the front.

The DX1 II is connected to my PC via an Optical cable

Any assistance would be great thank you.

 

[Vladetz]

Connect pebble via RCA outs on the back ox dx1 ii

 

[Sparky]

Connect pebble via RCA outs on the back ox dx1 ii

Thanks, so I'll need a RCA to 3.5mm adapter. Brill.

 

[JSmith]

Pebble V3

These have their own DAC, with USB audio input. It's extremely likely the analog input is converted back to digital, as these speakers have active DSP functions.

I assume you're trying to bypass the DAC in the speakers.


JSmith

 

[Sparky]

These have their own DAC, with USB audio input. It's extremely likely the analog input is converted back to digital, as these speakers have active DSP functions.

I assume you're trying to bypass the DAC in the speakers.


JSmith

I'm not sure if they do have DSP but yeah, will have their own DAC.
My aim is to avoid having to manually switch inputs via windows and just have my IEM's and Pebble's running through the much superior DAC of the Topping?

Does that make sense?

 

[JSmith]

DSP

https://au.creative.com/p/speakers/creative-pebble-v3

Clear Dialog and Surround, Powered by Sound Blaster

https://au.creative.com/technology/poweredbysoundblaster/

JSmith

 

[Sparky]

https://au.creative.com/p/speakers/creative-pebble-v3

https://au.creative.com/technology/poweredbysoundblaster/

JSmith

Shows how much I know!

Should I be connecting via optical then or is usb preffered in my case?

 

[Matias]

I read the Pebble V3 only has USB or Bluetooth inputs? If so, there is no way to connect to the DX1 II outputs.

 

[Sparky]

I read the Pebble V3 only has USB or Bluetooth inputs? If so, there is no way to connect to the DX1 II outputs.

It has a stereo 3.5mm jack on the back of the main speaker. Aux input

 

[staticV3]

Shows how much I know!

Should I be connecting via optical then or is usb preffered in my case?

Connecting via Aux will fufill your goal of having both both outputs from a single device in Windows, with no appreciable downside.

Yes you'll need to buy an RCA to Aux cable.

 

[Redacted]

it will probably look like this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/MOSWAG-RCA-Cable-Gold-Plated-Smartphones/dp/B09GDZHQJB?aref=nfvrAqRWQO&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY

 

[Sparky]

Thanks guys.

Quick question as I don't understand: Does the method of how you feed a DAC determine which DAC is used?
So in my case, using the optical input, how does that differ from using the USB input? What are the benefits to either or does it not matter?

I understand that with powered speakers, you will always hear the DAC in the speaker regardless of what you feed them.
Like my Geneelc 8341's, I could have the most expensive "high end" DAC feeding them but I will always be hearing the DAC in the 8341's.
That's correct isn't it?

 

[Redacted]

Optical or USB should make no differemce. It may be that some optical implementations won't handle 24/192, if you have any such extreme files, as Toslink optical was designed for CD (16/44 data), but you should be fine.

What makes you think you can "hear a DAC"?

 

[staticV3]

I understand that with powered speakers, you will always hear the DAC in the speaker regardless of what you feed them.

Only if the powered speaker uses a DSP crossover.

Powered speakers with analog crossover exist, like the Genelec 8040B, and those don't have a DAC at all.

 

[Sparky]

Optical or USB should make no differemce. It may be that some optical implementations won't handle 24/192, if you have any such extreme files, as Toslink optical was designed for CD (16/44 data), but you should be fine.

What makes you think you can "hear a DAC"?

Well, I'm having issues with the USB input anyway with lots of popping noises occurring so I'm using optical for now until I can figure out what's going on with it.....

I didn't mean it literally about "hearing" a DAC, I meant it from the point of view of which DAC is the one which ultimately, the sound is converted by.

 

[Sparky]

Only if the powered speaker uses a DSP crossover.

Powered speakers with analog crossover exist, like the Genelec 8040B, and those don't have a DAC at all.

Yeah, I own a pair of Genelec 8341's and you can't bypass the DAC regardless of which input you use.