Sources with optical output

[Panelhead]

My integrated amp has an optical input. My dac has two. Decided to dig up a cable and try.
Found a nice one. Unused glass cable. But, dragging out a few disc players I have HDMI seems to have replaced optical output.
I did not dig out a 20 year Marantz to use as a transport. Too big. Unreliable too.
I see members here often use optical to eliminate ground loops. What are the common sources used for playback?

 

[SIY]

What are the common sources used for playback?

Streamers are likely the most popular source these days.

 

[Yuhasz01]

I use optical output in my cd transport feeding my DAC.

 

[JRowland]

I run usb out of my iPhone into this.

PO100 2024

Foshan ShuangMuSanLin electronics Co., LTD. founded in 2009 which located in Shenzhen, China. And our branch company VMV Technology(HK) Company Limited registered in HK in 2013. Our company is specialized in the audio DAC, stereo headphone amplifier, power amplifier, and with own R&D...

www.smsl-audio.com

 

[somebodyelse]

PCs as they often have ground related noise issues. TVs too, but their poor timing can cause signal lock issues with some modern DACs.

 

[DVDdoug]

HDMI seems to have replaced optical output.

Regular optical and coaxial (S/PDIF) doesn't have the bandwidth to support the higher-bitrate Blu-Ray formats.

On the other hand, most stand-alone DACs don't have the decoders (or multi-channel outputs) to support those formats.

 

[Joe Smith]

Mostly useful for me as a link from a Sony CD/DVD deck I use as a transport in my workroom system. There was a nice moment before HDMI outputs came on strong when most inexpensive or medium-price decks had coax and optical digital outs.

 

[Panelhead]

Thanks for the advice. Decided it is finally time for me to stream. Ordered a WiiM Mini. Get to use the Amphenol glass Toslink cable. Think it has been in the attic for 15 years or more.
Read up a little. Thinking to subscribe to Qobuz to play Hi Res. 10,000,000 tracks.
Before losing interest in audio that was my plan. Will play internet radio through it first then decide on a streaming service.

 

[Liberal Democracy]

I use a WiiM streamer , optical out to a Antham pre amp .

Got a TAD D1000 sat waiting for a CD ( or SACD) to be played now , it's sitting expectantly like a springer spaniel at walkies time but alas there's no walk today old boy .

Keeping the D1000 in case of Russian attack on our underwater cable network ...

 

[Panelhead]

I need to look in attic. Found a SA-8260, a Sony BluRay (SACD rips), and a Sony DVD.
But starting to like the WiiM Mini more and more. My favorite on air sounds better through HD Radio than on the line feed. Surprising since there is HD1 - HD4.
Started looking for old station on line. I listened to the Grand Old Opry last night on WSMOnLine. Sound quality started out terrible. But someone was watching and adjusted levels during the live show. It is like TV, announcers were twice as loud as musicians.
Used to stream from a Mac Mini with optical Thunderbolt cable to an interface. The feeds all dropped out regularly. Finally just quit. No drops out this time in the first couple days of listening. Wife is out of town, been playing 12 hours a day. That ends today.
Do not know if it is station, internet, iPad, WiiM Mini, or RAW MDA1.