Digital signal connection methods

[JaMmy]

Could someone please point me towards a good technical guide to the (in)compatibilities between different ways of transmitting a digital signal along a cable? Can a digital signal just be swapped between USB, coaxial, toslink, and optical via some kind of adapter or does each type of connector require its own protocols to carry the signal? For example can I take a digital audio source out of the USB socket of a computer and use some kind of adapter to get it into the optical digital input of an AV receiver? (I ask because I picked up an old Yamaha DSP Z11 and I’m exploring what it can and cannot do).

 

[Purité Audio]

You sure can you just need a USB to optical converter.
Keith

 

[staticV3]

For example can I take a digital audio source out of the USB socket of a computer and use some kind of adapter to get it into the optical digital input of an AV receiver?

Yes. For example, Hifime UT23 or Cubilux SPDIF converter.

 

[Killingbeans]

Can a digital signal just be swapped between USB, coaxial, toslink, and optical via some kind of adapter or does each type of connector require its own protocols to carry the signal?

Coax and toslink are both s/pdif. You only need electrical <-> optical adaptors for those.

USB uses a subset of the USB protocol and not s/pdif. You'll need an adaptor that decodes the USB protocol and encodes the data as an s/pdif stream instead.

There's adaptors that can do that, and there's DAC's, like the Topping D10s/blanced that has the functionality as a bonus.

 

[Vincent Kars]

It is called a DDC (Digital to Digital Converter) as you do have to convert protocols.
A very popular one is a USB to S/PDIF converter as USB rules in the computer world and S/PDIF in the audio world.

 

[twsecrest]

Could someone please point me towards a good technical guide to the (in)compatibilities between different ways of transmitting a digital signal along a cable? Can a digital signal just be swapped between USB, coaxial, toslink, and optical via some kind of adapter or does each type of connector require its own protocols to carry the signal? For example can I take a digital audio source out of the USB socket of a computer and use some kind of adapter to get it into the optical digital input of an AV receiver? (I ask because I picked up an old Yamaha DSP Z11 and I’m exploring what it can and cannot do).

HDMI can carry more channels and higher res audio, than Optical or coaxial.
So run HDMI cable from the PC's graphics card, to the HDMI input on the Yamaha DSP Z11.
Then run HDMI from the Yamaha DSP Z11's HMDI output to the HDMI input on the computer monitor.
Set the Yamaha DSP Z11 for video pass thru.

This thread might answer questions about the Z11.

https://www.avsforum.com/threads/yamaha-rx-z11.885045/#replies

 

[Chrispy]

If your computer has hdmi that might even be better....

 

[JaMmy]

Thanks everyone! Just what I needed to know. I have a Topping E30 II and Tim Curtis DAC that I’m curious to compare with what’s inside the Z11.

 

[Killingbeans]

Just remember to do proper level matching before you start comparing. And make sure none of the DACs are set to use some loony type of reconstruction filter.

Then chances are there's little to zero to actually compare between the three. Especially if you do the comparison blind.

 

[JaMmy]

I'm less in the business of running proper tests than exploring what the receiver can do. I've no great interest in surround sound and picked this up for a song at an auction as a package deal along with some JM Lab speakers that were my real interest . I use some home made amplifiers using Rod Elliott's designs, so having another 9 amplifiers in one box is not something I really need... I have a very understanding partner.

 

[Roland68]

I'm less in the business of running proper tests than exploring what the receiver can do. I've no great interest in surround sound and picked this up for a song at an auction as a package deal along with some JM Lab speakers that were my real interest . I use some home made amplifiers using Rod Elliott's designs, so having another 9 amplifiers in one box is not something I really need... I have a very understanding partner.

The SMSL PO100 AK and the PO100 Pro would be suitable for your application.
The PO100 AK is a good USB DAC with additional SPDIF and optical digital output, so you are well equipped for future projects.
I use it myself in similar areas and can recommend it.

 

[twsecrest]

Thanks everyone! Just what I needed to know. I have a Topping E30 II and Tim Curtis DAC that I’m curious to compare with what’s inside the Z11.

The Yamaha DSP Z11 does come with older, but still nice DAC chips.

 

[JaMmy]

I got a usb toslink adapter from Ali express and it works just fine.
Exploring the Z11, all the amps and functions seem fine but I got a loud 50 hz mains hum and no signal when trying the subwoofer out. My guess is a bad earth connection somewhere but before I open up this beast I wonder if this might be a common issue with this amp?

 

[AnalogSteph]

Please confirm that it's not a bad RCA cable by using another RCA pre-out on the unit, including the second sub output.

 

[JaMmy]

Please confirm that it's not a bad RCA cable by using another RCA pre-out on the unit, including the second sub output.

Yep. Tried two different cables and checked they worked ok with other stuff

 

[antcollinet]

My guess is a bad earth connection somewhere but before I open up this beast I wonder if this might be a common issue with this amp?

Is that with toslink into the amp, and nothing else (no other sources, no av equipment etc) connected except the sub and speakers?

 

[JaMmy]

No, I have a cd player & computer via toslink, a blu ray via hdmi and TT via rca's, but not had any hum issues with them. I'll disconnect them and see if it makes a difference.