Question about connecting a DAC/AMP stack to an old PC with USB A

[stizz19]

I'm new to the DAC/AMP game, so bare with my noobness. I have an old PC with USB A connections (no USB C) and also have an old DLINK DNS-343 NAS with a ton of FLAC files for music.

I have been looking at getting some Sennheiser HD 660s2 headphones and using a DAC/AMP (like the Topping D50iii/A50iii stack) to hook up to my PC. My question is that most of these DACs have USB C connections, is there a way to connect it to the PC using USB A? And I am assuming the AMP just connects to the DAC with RCA cables?

 

[Curupira]

Most DACs support both UAC1 and UAC2, meaning that you'll need only an usb a > usb C cable if the DAC only has USB C in.

 

[kemmler3D]

Welcome to ASR, Curupira is correct, you can connect every DAC I've come across using a common A -> C cable.

I am assuming the AMP just connects to the DAC with RCA cables?

Yes, although in many cases the HP amp built into the DAC is more than good enough, so you don't have to get two boxes if you'd prefer to get a DX5II or something instead.

 

[stizz19]

Welcome to ASR, Curupira is correct, you can connect every DAC I've come across using a common A -> C cable.



Yes, although in many cases the HP amp built into the DAC is more than good enough, so you don't have to get two boxes if you'd prefer to get a DX5II or something instead.

Thanks for your reply and I was doing more research after I posted this I realized the USB A to C cord is sufficient and that I could just use . Another question I had is I have a really old TT my dad gave me which does not have a built-in preamp. I was thinking of hooking that up to this DAC/AMP stack to it to use with my speakers and occasionally headphones if I have to be quiet. All the TT has is the RCA cables on it so Im assuming I could just plug that into the DAC equipped with pre-amp and plug in headphones or speakers to the output?

I think i'm reading too much and overthinking too much, it's probably much easier than i make it out to be.

 

[Chrispy]

Thanks for your reply and I was doing more research after I posted this I realized the USB A to C cord is sufficient and that I could just use . Another question I had is I have a really old TT my dad gave me which does not have a built-in preamp. I was thinking of hooking that up to this DAC/AMP stack to it to use with my speakers and occasionally headphones if I have to be quiet. All the TT has is the RCA cables on it so Im assuming I could just plug that into the DAC equipped with pre-amp and plug in headphones or speakers to the output?

I think i'm reading too much and overthinking too much, it's probably much easier than i make it out to be.

No, still need a phono pre-amp with the necessary gain and RIAA correction.

 

[DVDdoug]

All the TT has is the RCA cables on it so Im assuming I could just plug that into the DAC equipped with pre-amp and plug in headphones or speakers to the output?

Not many DACs have phono preamps. Most DACs don't have ANY analog inputs and not all have headphone-outputs. And if you have regular passive speakers you need a power amp to drive them. (Active speakers can be driven from a line-output or headphone output.)

There are some phono preamps in the reviews here on ASR.

 

[AnalogSteph]

For starters, I would aim to run the prospective phonopre (to be purchased - something like a used NAD PP-2 perhaps?) into the onboard line-in, assuming there is one. That would give you an opportunity to actually rip some vinyl as well. For something to run directly into a DAC, a MiniDSP PocketADC would be a good choice. It should even be possible to run both in parallel with a splitter cable, just use the Toslink output on the PocketADC to avoid ground loop issues.

Most DACs and the like actually provide a USB 2.0 interface only and are only using Type C because it's the connector du jour, although some bus-powered affairs do appreciate the increased power output. Audio does not need any insane data rates, USB 1.1 will do up to 24/96 output already (although at that point simultaneous input will already be limited to 16 bits, so if you want 24 bits full-duplex you'll get 48 kHz max).

 

[kemmler3D]

Yep, as others have noted the DAC generally won't take analog input (it's a digital-to-analog converter, you need an ADC to go the other way.)

You will want an interface (usually has DAC and ADC in one) or a separate ADC to listen to the TT in this setup. You will also probably need a phono preamp, I have a Schiit Mani 2 and it's pretty good, Fosi has also come out with a good and affordable phono pre recently.