This is my setup (inc pictures) I don't want to waste money. Is my DAC a total waste?

[Hotwetrat]

Hi, I just can't figure this out.

I love good audio fidelity, always have. I don't mind spending some if it's worth it but with regards to the way I have this, I can't understand if I am totally wasting my time with the DAC.

I have an Xbox Series X via HDMI to my Samsung NU8000 TV. Then Optical Out to my DAC. Is my DAC actually doing any decoding or is it literally a brick just giving me an optical in connector... (then line out to SA300)

Any help from knowledgeable people appreciated because this kinda thing (what's actually decoding) has bugged me for years - the Series X removed the optical audio out so no options for direct connection.

Other sources are just the TV with in built Netflix, Amazon Prime and a USB stick plugged directly in.

I really do get frustrated trying to figure this stuff out.

Because I swear if I spend £100/140+ on a DAC and my TV is actually decoding I will be steaming lol and just fed up.

 

[Vict0r]

Your DAC is decoding whatever it gets from the TV, which in turn gets the data it's sending to the DAC from your Xbox. Your SA300 amplifies the signal coming out of your DAC. You're good.

 

[Hotwetrat]

Your DAC is decoding whatever it gets from the TV, which in turn gets the data it's sending to the DAC from your Xbox. Your SA300 amplifies the signal coming out of your DAC. You're good.

Thank you very much I appreciate your reply, this confusion comes from the whole bistream, linear PCM type stuff etc, it's like which device is actually decoding here!! Because there's literally 3 things which can decode here right? Xbox, TV and LASTLY DAC - as the DAC is receiving the signal LAST, I can't fgure out if my Xbox or TV is decoding and my DACS just a brick making me feel better! Hope I am making some sense my understanding has always been somewhat clouded where this is concerned.

 

[escape2]

Thank you very much I appreciate your reply, this confusion comes from the whole bistream, linear PCM type stuff etc, it's like which device is actually decoding here!! Because there's literally 3 things which can decode here right? Xbox, TV and LASTLY DAC - as the DAC is receiving the signal LAST, I can't fgure out if my Xbox or TV is decoding and my DACS just a brick making me feel better! Hope I am making some sense my understanding has always been somewhat clouded where this is concerned.

There are two things happening here:
1. decoding/uncompressing of the digital content, for example from Dolby Digital to PCM. This is done by either your source (Xbox) or by an AVR or TV.
2. Conversion from digital to analog. This is done by a DAC, either standalone, like in your case, or one built into an AVR.

 

[Hotwetrat]

There are two things happening here:
1. decoding/uncompressing of the digital content, for example from Dolby Digital to PCM. This is done by either your source (Xbox) or by an AVR or TV.
2. Conversion from digital to analog. This is done by a DAC, either standalone, like in your case, or one built into an AVR.

Mate this is good info thank you, I started to think something like that after I wrote my last message....

 

[Hotwetrat]

RECTIFIED - ......................It's like a spot the difference

My OCD was imploding