Simple DAC advice requested for a niche use case (Optical In, can decode Dolby Digital & DTS)

[Roen]

Basically looking for a good measuring simple DAC that takes optical input (from a TV) and outputs line-level analog audio (either RCA L/R or 3.5mm stereo mini). This DAC must be able to decode DD and DTS.

Has ASR measured such a device? (@amirm)

 

[twsecrest]

Something that decodes DDL (Dolby Digital Live) or DTS-Connect, is more then just a DAC (more like an external sound card).
And as your looking at decoding a 6-channel (5.1) digital audio signal,
I'm assuming you would need the device to output 6-channels of analog audio?
Can you describe your whole setup?

 

[Roen]

Something like this fits the bill

LiNKFOR 192kHz DAC Digital to Analog Audio Converter Dolby AC-3 DTS 5.1CH Audio Decoder Support Volume Control Optical Coaxial Toslink to RCA L/R 3.5mm Jack Adapter Converter for HDTV PS3 PS4 TV Box https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BW9D37T/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Jbh7CbC0BCBF4

Just need it to decide AC3 / DTS over Optical into Stereo

 

[SEKLEM]

Something like this fits the bill

LiNKFOR 192kHz DAC Digital to Analog Audio Converter Dolby AC-3 DTS 5.1CH Audio Decoder Support Volume Control Optical Coaxial Toslink to RCA L/R 3.5mm Jack Adapter Converter for HDTV PS3 PS4 TV Box https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BW9D37T/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Jbh7CbC0BCBF4

Just need it to decide AC3 / DTS over Optical into Stereo

That device doesn’t appear to handle DTS or Dolby raw bitstream.

 

[twsecrest]

Something like this fits the bill
LiNKFOR 192kHz DAC Digital to Analog Audio Converter Dolby AC-3 DTS 5.1CH Audio Decoder Support Volume Control Optical Coaxial Toslink to RCA L/R 3.5mm Jack Adapter Converter for HDTV PS3 PS4 TV Box https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BW9D37T/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Jbh7CbC0BCBF4
Just need it to decide AC3 / DTS over Optical into Stereo

That DAC looks cheap.
I would say to buy a used external sound card, one with an optical input.

 

[Roen]

That DAC looks cheap.
I would say to buy a used external sound card, one with an optical input.

Do you have a link of an example?

 

[Roen]

That device doesn’t appear to handle DTS or Dolby raw bitstream.

【5.1CH Audio Decoder】It Can Decode Digital Coaxial Optical Dolby AC-3 DTS 5.1ch Digital Audio to 2.0ch Analog Stereo L/ R RCA and 3.5mm Jack. Perfectly compatible with Dolby AC-3/ DTS/ LPCM/ PCM/ RAW Audio Format.

 

[SEKLEM]

【5.1CH Audio Decoder】It Can Decode Digital Coaxial Optical Dolby AC-3 DTS 5.1ch Digital Audio to 2.0ch Analog Stereo L/ R RCA and 3.5mm Jack. Perfectly compatible with Dolby AC-3/ DTS/ LPCM/ PCM/ RAW Audio Format.

I didn’t go down far enough. I made an assumption based on prior experience of “Dolby compatible” type marketing gimmicks. Thank you for pointing that out.

 

[twsecrest]

Do you have a link of an example?

Maybe a Creative Labs or Asus external sound card, I just do not know which, if any, have optical input?

 

[Roen]

Maybe a Creative Labs or Asus external sound card, I just do not know which, if any, have optical input?

I don't think any of those hardware decode Dolby / DTS.

 

[Roen]

They're all probably based off of this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/DAC-Decode...152620?hash=item1cc0e27bec:g:65oAAOSwlfNb74Yp

I was hoping we'd have some measurements for similar devices.

EDIT: Never mind, this board isn't the same one as the board that powers the completed DACs that I am interested in.

 

[Veri]

I think Musiland has some devices that can decode dts/dolby

 

[twsecrest]

Basically looking for a good measuring simple DAC that takes optical input (from a TV) and outputs line-level analog audio (either RCA L/R or 3.5mm stereo mini). This DAC must be able to decode DD and DTS.
Has ASR measured such a device? (@amirm)

Why have the DAC decode DDL or DTS, just set the TV to output stereo (2.0) audio?

 

[Roen]

Why have the DAC decode DDL or DTS, just set the TV to output stereo (2.0) audio?

No option to.

 

[Zam]

Basically looking for a good measuring simple DAC that takes optical input (from a TV) and outputs line-level analog audio (either RCA L/R or 3.5mm stereo mini). This DAC must be able to decode DD and DTS.

Has ASR measured such a device? (@amirm)

Made this account just to reply to this forum post, because I just so happened to be looking for a replacement for my dolby digital decoder dac.

I've been using this crumby non audiophile dac for years, across a few variations of it. https://www.ebay.com/itm/143237978241

It decodes dolby digital, dolby live, raw bitstream. Has 7.1 passthrough but my main use is because it has dolby Headphone dsp. It's got a max of 96hz though and has some background noise.

If you've found a good alternative I'd love to hear about it.

 

[Roen]

Made this account just to reply to this forum post, because I just so happened to be looking for a replacement for my dolby digital decoder dac.

I've been using this crumby non audiophile dac for years, across a few variations of it. https://www.ebay.com/itm/143237978241

It decodes dolby digital, dolby live, raw bitstream. Has 7.1 passthrough but my main use is because it has dolby Headphone dsp. It's got a max of 96hz though and has some background noise.

If you've found a good alternative I'd love to hear about it.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/400...earchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/400...earchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_

You can browse some other choices from this search here:
https://www.aliexpress.com/wholesal...201214155301&SearchText=dolby+digital+decoder