Do I need to buy a DAC?

[JayGould]

Right now I have a Cambridge Audio AXR100 amplifier (with "built-in DAC") paired with two Klipsch RP-8000F floor speakers.

I want to start using this system connected to my PC inside my home office. But since my amplifier doesn't have a USB connection, it seems I have two options:

1. Purchase an additional USB DAC (like Topping E30, cost about $150) or
2. Purchase a USB-C to Optical adapter (cost about $75)

Will the sound quality be improved if I go with option #1, or would purchasing another DAC be a waste of money?

 

[Jimbob54]

Right now I have a Cambridge Audio AXR100 amplifier (with "built-in DAC") paired with two Klipsch RP-8000F floor speakers.

I want to start using this system connected to my PC inside my home office. But since my amplifier doesn't have a USB connection, it seems I have two options:

1. Purchase an additional USB DAC (like Topping E30, cost about $150) or
2. Purchase a USB-C to Optical adapter (cost about $75)

Will the sound quality be improved if I go with option #1, or would purchasing another DAC be a waste of money?

Depends how good (or bad) the DAC in the CA is - others may know. The $75 seems a little wasted - $100 or so will get you a very good measuring actual DAC like the Topping D10s and if the CA takes balanced inputs, maybe even a D10 balanced. Very good modern performance , transparent to source. The D10 also functions as a USB to SPDIF converter, so you could also easily AB the CA DAC to the Topping (make sure you match the levels though) to satisfy that curiosity.

 

[Roland68]

Right now I have a Cambridge Audio AXR100 amplifier (with "built-in DAC") paired with two Klipsch RP-8000F floor speakers.

I want to start using this system connected to my PC inside my home office. But since my amplifier doesn't have a USB connection, it seems I have two options:

1. Purchase an additional USB DAC (like Topping E30, cost about $150) or
2. Purchase a USB-C to Optical adapter (cost about $75)

Will the sound quality be improved if I go with option #1, or would purchasing another DAC be a waste of money?

I wouldn't throw out the $75 for such a device.
Take a Topping D10s DAC, which also converts USB to SPDIF and optical. You can then compare with that.

 

[Jimbob54]

I wouldn't throw out the $75 for such a device.
Take a Topping D10s DAC, which also converts USB to SPDIF and optical. You can then compare with that.

Great minds ;-)

 

[Zek]

@JayGould : You can install SPDIF bracket on your computer and have both optical and coaxial digital out.

Amazon.com: Electronic component Quickbuying 1PCS SPDIF Optical and RCA Out Plate Cable Bracket for ASUS Gigabyte MSI Motherb : Electronics

Amazon.com: Electronic component Quickbuying 1PCS SPDIF Optical and RCA Out Plate Cable Bracket for ASUS Gigabyte MSI Motherb : Electronics

www.amazon.com

 

[AnalogSteph]

Right now I have a Cambridge Audio AXR100 amplifier (with "built-in DAC") paired with two Klipsch RP-8000F floor speakers.

I want to start using this system connected to my PC inside my home office. But since my amplifier doesn't have a USB connection, it seems I have two options:

1. Purchase an additional USB DAC (like Topping E30, cost about $150) or
2. Purchase a USB-C to Optical adapter (cost about $75)

Three options:
3. Purchase a 3.5 mm stereo to 2x RCA cable, assuming there isn't already one floating around (cost $10ish?)

It's not like this receiver needs the most high-end DAC in existence (THD spec at 80 wpc out = <0.01% @ 1 kHz, <0.15% 20-20k), and since it seems to be IEC Class II I don't envision any major issues connecting it to a PC via one of the RCA inputs. So given that it is by far the cheapest option, I would definitely give the onboard audio a shot first. It's generally fine... a little lower in level than a dedicated DAC but that's about it. DAC filter frequency response generally is flat as a pancake, distortion low enough, and dynamic range somewhere between adequate and more than sufficient for a line-level source.

 

[ZolaIII]

@JayGould which DAC doe's it have? How good are analog inputs?
If you have you can use on main board SPDIF if not and on desktop you could use cheap internal sound card which has one (and it has a DAC comparable to one integrated inside the amp with couple of benefits).

https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-XONAR-SE-Channel-Compatibility/dp/B07HCX1NY9/ref=mp_s_a_1_29?crid=5Y11V9ROT6BX&keywords=SPDIF+Sound+Card&pscroll=1&qid=1643712396&s=pc&sprefix=spdif+sound+card%2Caps%2C301&sr=1-29&wIndexMainSlot=57

Realtek ALC1220 - a look on PC sound

If you purchased new desktop PC in last 3-4 years you probably have one of those on your motherboard. Since I spent few last weeks trying to make it work as best I could, here are few findings: 1. Technical data about the chip were already summarized here...

www.audiosciencereview.com

If you wish you can pick a cheap standalone external DAC and use it's optical out.
If the analog input is really great or you want to use it for some other reason (native DSD, MQA or whatever really) or really want a DAC pick one that you like and want based on measurements that fit's your pocket. You don't really need a better performing DAC but you will end up buying one, one way or another.

 

[abdo123]

No you don't.