Nuforce HDP DAC - should I use USB or optical?

BRLawyer · Jan 12, 2013, 07:38 PM

I am currently using it with the iMac's optical out, as well as with the front plug when using my excellent NVX Audio XPT100 headphones - the downside is that there is absolutely no configuration possible via the Audio MIDI Setup app, and no volume control (since all of this is handled directly by the DAC).

I am interested in using it with my ALAC music collection, as well as increasingly HD-grade music.

So my question is: should I connect the DAC with USB instead of optical? Can I use optical for the sound and USB for the configuration? Which one normally provides the best/cleanest audio connection?

I am really new to audiophile-related discussions and would welcome any expert advice out there...thanks.

alphaod · Jan 19, 2013, 11:21 PM

They're both digital interfaces, so it doesn't really matter.

I've used USB and I've optical (I've also used RCA coaxial to optical adapters) to my amp; can't really tell the difference.

Jan 12, 2013, 07:38 PM	#1
BRLawyer macrumors 601 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Currently in Switzerland	Nuforce HDP DAC - should I use USB or optical? I am currently using it with the iMac's optical out, as well as with the front plug when using my excellent NVX Audio XPT100 headphones - the downside is that there is absolutely no configuration possible via the Audio MIDI Setup app, and no volume control (since all of this is handled directly by the DAC). I am interested in using it with my ALAC music collection, as well as increasingly HD-grade music. So my question is: should I connect the DAC with USB instead of optical? Can I use optical for the sound and USB for the configuration? Which one normally provides the best/cleanest audio connection? I am really new to audiophile-related discussions and would welcome any expert advice out there...thanks. __________________ iMac 27" Core i7 3.4GHz, 16GB RAM, 2GB GPU, 120GB SSD+4TB HD, Bowers & Wilkins 685, Nuforce HDP, OS X 10.8.3; iPad 3 Wi-Fi+4G 64GB; iPhone 5 White 32GB.
	0

Jan 19, 2013, 11:21 PM	#2
alphaod macrumors P6 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NYC	They're both digital interfaces, so it doesn't really matter. I've used USB and I've optical (I've also used RCA coaxial to optical adapters) to my amp; can't really tell the difference. __________________ Mac Pro \| 27" iMac \| 15" MacBook Pro with Retina display \| iPhone 5 \| iPad 3 \| iPad mini
	0

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode