Seeking DAC with phono outs

[ockham]

I'm converting a lot of my home devices to FOSS due to AI/surveillance capitalism and with a 23TB storage server set up, I'm now working on the other roles. Specifically a computer that will mount the storage server (readonly NFS) and be connected to the entertainment system. I'm looking for a DAC for that computer as 1) I want to use as little wireless in the home as possible (not bluetooth in this case) 2) I'm repurposing old hardware and I don't think that HW will provide a good job on FLACs of music. I'm old enough to have 3.5mm plugs on laptops and other gear become utterly flaky, so I'm not interested in buying into that problem again.

So I'm looking for a DAC that will connect to the computer with USB-A (old HW, remember, no USB-C) and have phono connections (I have yet to have one of those wear out) to the entertainment center. After all I've got expensive audio cables from pre-HDMI days lying idle.

Budget = < $150

Can someone point me in the right direction?

I hope this finds you well

 

[GXAlan]

Does the Fosi ZD3 work for you? If you don’t go into Bluetooth mode, the Bluetooth is turned off. USB-A, but RCA phono jacks and a future upgradability of XLR.

Amazon may have some in stock. If you are in the U.S., tariffs will increase prices

 

[JustJones]

Phono connections? Turntable?

 

[Berwhale]

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[AnalogSteph]

Plus a whole bunch more, e.g. Topping E30 II (Lite). DACs with unbalanced RCA out and USB in can't exactly be a rarity at this price point, that's pretty much as run of the mill as it gets these days.

BTW, a DAC with a type C USB wouldn't be a deal-breaker, as A to C cables are readily available and it's not like a device like that gets subjected to a whole lot of abuse. I do still prefer the trusty old type B connector for ruggedness though.

On a side note, if you get a ground loop between the computer and entertainment system, budget on a basic USB isolator, or maybe a not-quite-so-basic one that can do USB 2.0 speeds.

 

[DVDdoug]

Phono connections? Turntable?

"Phono" is another name for RCA connectors. ...1/4-inch TS guitar-style plugs or TRS headphone plugs are sometimes called "phone plugs" because they were originally used on old-time telephone switchboards.

 

[voodooless]

I'm repurposing old hardware and I don't think that HW will provide a good job on FLACs of music.

Anything younger than about 2 decades should not have any issues with this at all.

USB-C doesn’t really matter. All of these DACs are USB 2.0, so a simple A to C cable will be just fine.

 

[AnalogSteph]

Anything younger than about 2 decades should not have any issues with this at all.

Well, let's say 1-1.5, and most anything. It could be some Mini-ITX APU affair using a lowly ALC662. Most Realteks of the last 15 years are varying degrees of fine though, with negligible filter ripple and dynamic range ranging from "workable" (~95 dB(A)) to "great" (>120 dB(A)). You can't generally count on 2 Vrms though, and implementation may vary.

 

[ockham]

I know the various USB iterations have different max bandwidths and usb-c can drive a whole heck of a lot more power, but now after reviewing the suggestions kindly provided, I see that the DAC power and bandwidth requirements are actually quite low so I agree with AnalogSteph that just using a converter cable should be fine for usb-c.

Thanks for the helpful replies. Having just joined today I'm surprised and pleased at the speed and quality of help. You guys rock.

I hope this finds you well

 

[voodooless]

Well, let's say 1-1.5, and most anything. It could be some Mini-ITX APU affair using a lowly ALC662. Most Realteks of the last 15 years are varying degrees of fine though, with negligible filter ripple and dynamic range ranging from "workable" (~95 dB(A)) to "great" (>120 dB(A)). You can't generally count on 2 Vrms though, and implementation may vary.

This was about FLAC decoding The audio is handled by the USD DAC

 

[AnalogSteph]

This was about FLAC decoding The audio is handled by the USD DAC

Well yeah, in that case you'd be right, or downright pessimistic in fact. Apparently FLAC playback roughly needs a 486DX/4-100, so that's like 3 decades now.