DAC with a USB Flash Drive port

[rjharle]

Perhaps if I explain what I'm doing, someone may be able to recommend a DAC that would solve my problem. I'm currently transferring all my vinyl records to DSD/64 files using a Raga P3 and a Korg DS-DAC-10R, The Korg, using Korg Audiogate software, records the analog vinyl to the PC via a USB 3.0 port in the DSD/64 format. The files are then copied to a 1TB flash drive where they can then be played on my Panasonic DP-UB820 DVD player, which has an input USB port and will play DSD files. The output of the Pansonic is an HDMI to my Anthem MRX 1120 receiver.

The Pansonic is not capable of producing the DSD files the way they should be played, and I'm not enjoying the near vinyl experience. Therefore, I think the Pansonic is the weak link and needs to be replaced. (maybe not)

Why not just play the vinyl directly from the Raga to the Anthem, you my ask?. Because I would be playing albums/45s, and it is a pain to get up and down every 3-4 minutes to change the record. If I can convert them, I can play the files in any order and for as long as I want. When I want the full vinyl experience, I play the vinyl records one by one. DVD's have the limitation of 4-5 files per disc. The flash drive can hold 400 - 500 files. I won't have to move for a day.

I don't need all that streaming. Just a way to plug in my flash drive, sit back and enjoy my DSD files the way it should sound.

Is there such a DAC out there?

 

[lovinthehd]

Why not just record to flac?

 

[panteragstk]

A DAC like that would have to have an interface of some sort, which would require it to have an OS of some sort.

Typically, you would connect something that can handle the files and organize them in the way that you want by reading tags and such. Then you'd connect the DAC to that device, and get proper DSD playback. I use my PC for this if I must play DSD files.

If you don't want to use a PC, then there are other options out there, but most would consider them "streaming boxes" due to the fact they don't JUST play local DSD files, but can do much more.

 

[rjharle]

lovinhehd,

That wouldn't solve the Flash drive problem. I would still need a DAC converter to go from digital to analog and a way to get the music into the receiver.

The flash drive port would allow me to copy the files to a flash drive and plug it into the DAC. The DAC would have RCA analog outputs to plug into the receiver.

 

[rjharle]

A DAC like that would have to have an interface of some sort, which would require it to have an OS of some sort.

Typically, you would connect something that can handle the files and organize them in the way that you want by reading tags and such. Then you'd connect the DAC to that device, and get proper DSD playback. I use my PC for this if I must play DSD files.

If you don't want to use a PC, then there are other options out there, but most would consider them "streaming boxes" due to the fact they don't JUST play local DSD files, but can do much more.

I have seen the streaming DAC; Cambridge Audio CXN (V2) for $1,100.00 seems like a nice unit, but I was hoping I wouldn't have to pay for the streaming features.

 

[lovinthehd]

lovinhehd,

That wouldn't solve the Flash drive problem. I would still need a DAC converter to go from digital to analog and a way to get the music into the receiver.

The flash drive port would allow me to copy the files to a flash drive and plug it into the DAC. The DAC would have RCA analog outputs to plug into the receiver.

I was more curious why do something convoluted like dsd instead of something much easier to play back? If it is playing back dsd, what is wrong with it on the other hand? What's wrong with the dac in your receiver?

 

[rjharle]

I was more curious why do something convoluted like dsd instead of something much easier to play back? If it is playing back dsd, what is wrong with it on the other hand? What's wrong with the dac in your receiver?

Since I'm going to go through the trouble of recording a boat load of vinyl (going to take me about a year to complete) I would want the highest copying format available. Since I can always down convert the files to other formats and lose some sampling rate but, I cannot covert up.

I do have many "Direct to Disc" and other high quality vinyl.

I do realize there is much decision around DSD vs Flac and if the différance can be heard. I just don't want to regret the final product.

The Anthem MRX 1120 and Anthem PVA7 do not have flash drive ports.

 

[lovinthehd]

Since I'm going to go through the trouble of recording a boat load of vinyl (going to take me about a year to complete) I would want the highest copying format available. Since I can always down convert the files to other formats and lose some sampling rate but, I cannot covert up.

I do have many "Direct to Disc" and other high quality vinyl.

I do realize there is much decision around DSD vs Flac and if the différance can be heard. I just don't want to regret the final product.

The Anthem MRX 1120 and Anthem PVA7 do not have flash drive ports.

I wouldn't call DSD the highest quality myself, a lossless 44/16 file should certainly exceed that which can be obtained from vinyl. DSD can be more involved to play back. I use my avr to play dsd files via hdmi, does the Anthem not have that capability?

 

[rjharle]

I wouldn't call DSD the highest quality myself, a lossless 44/16 file should certainly exceed that which can be obtained from vinyl. DSD can be more involved to play back. I use my avr to play dsd files via hdmi, does the Anthem not have that capability?

Yes, it does with a built-in DAC, but that does solve my problem of getting the music into the HDMI port. Unless there is something that plays files from a flash drive to HDMI, and it would have to be able to select & display the files

 

[lovinthehd]

Yes, it does with a built-in DAC, but that does solve my problem of getting the music into the HDMI port. Unless there is something that plays files from a flash drive to HDMI, and it would have to be able to select & display the files

You computer cannot output hdmi?

You said it does play dsd now, but there's an issue?

 

[rjharle]

You computer cannot output hdmi?

You said it does play dsd now, but there's an issue?

The Panasonic DP-UB820 DVD player has a flash drive port that allows me to play the DSD files from the HDMI port out to the Anthem HDMI port in. The program has all the functions of a media player; display, select, FF, pause, etc. But it does sound like a it should.

 

[lovinthehd]

The Panasonic DP-UB820 DVD player has a flash drive port that allows me to play the DSD files from the HDMI port out to the Anthem HDMI port in. The program has all the functions of a media player; display, select, FF, pause, etc. But it does sound like a it should.

Yes, I know how a disc player can work with various types of input, I have several Personally I use both thumb drives as well as streaming to them via dlna, but keep my rips in flac format. Good luck on the digitizing the vinyl thing....I started to do that a few years ago but found it not worth the time investment....if I really want to hear something particularly on vinyl I just play it, but don't play much vinyl these days otoh. The only dsd I bother with are multich SACDs.

Back to the player with dsd input on the thumb drive.....do you mean it doesn't sound like it should? If so, what is wrong?

What about playing files via hdmi cable from your computer directly to your avr? Or even to the disc player....

 

[-Jim-]

Yes, I know how a disc player can work with various types of input, I have several Personally I use both thumb drives as well as streaming to them via dlna, but keep my rips in flac format. Good luck on the digitizing the vinyl thing....I started to do that a few years ago but found it not worth the time investment....if I really want to hear something particularly on vinyl I just play it, but don't play much vinyl these days otoh. The only dsd I bother with are multich SACDs.

Back to the player with dsd input on the thumb drive.....do you mean it doesn't sound like it should? If so, what is wrong?

What about playing files via hdmi cable from your computer directly to your avr? Or even to the disc player....

I too play FLAC Files via HDMI direct from my Main PC to my Man Cave HT Setup. Sounds great. Sometimes I plug a USB Stick into our Atmos system when I want to hear it upstairs. (I know I could just play it over the LAN.) FLAC Files are lossless so you don't lose any data, and you can use software to convert those files to something else if needed. Some folks use 24 Bit, some not. I have a few 24 bit. I ripped all of my Cds, and my Brothers as well to FLAC files and Mp3s for the cars.

I'm with lovinthehd on this one. Use your HDMI output from your PC into the Anthem. More devices in the chaini only give the opportunity for signal (sound) degradation.

(Yes, I gave up on my Vinyl ages ago when I had over 1500 Albums in pristine condition. I still kept a couple Albums for my wife and both turntables =>neither hooked up => as she never asks to play those disks, even though she'll ask if I still have them every couple of years.)

 

[rjharle]

Yes, I know how a disc player can work with various types of input, I have several Personally I use both thumb drives as well as streaming to them via dlna, but keep my rips in flac format. Good luck on the digitizing the vinyl thing....I started to do that a few years ago but found it not worth the time investment....if I really want to hear something particularly on vinyl I just play it, but don't play much vinyl these days otoh. The only dsd I bother with are multich SACDs.

Back to the player with dsd input on the thumb drive.....do you mean it doesn't sound like it should? If so, what is wrong?

What about playing files via hdmi cable from your computer directly to your avr? Or even to the disc player....

The DVD player lacks content, the music sounds a bit hollow.

The HDMI cable would have to be about 50' to reach the AVR. I don't own a laptop and rather than buy one I would just get a Streaming DAC like the Cambridge CXN (V2). Which judging from the responses it looks like I'll have to do.

 

[lovinthehd]

The DVD player lacks content, the music sounds a bit hollow.

The HDMI cable would have to be about 50' to reach the AVR. I don't own a laptop and rather than buy one I would just get a Streaming DAC like the Cambridge CXN (V2). Which judging from the responses it looks like I'll have to do.

Well good luck. The dvd player lacks content or sounding hollow doesn't make a lot of sense....you sure it's just not the quality of your rips?

 

[rjharle]

I too play FLAC Files via HDMI direct from my Main PC to my Man Cave HT Setup. Sounds great. Sometimes I plug a USB Stick into our Atmos system when I want to hear it upstairs. (I know I could just play it over the LAN.) FLAC Files are lossless so you don't lose any data, and you can use software to convert those files to something else if needed. Some folks use 24 Bit, some not. I have a few 24 bit. I ripped all of my Cds, and my Brothers as well to FLAC files and Mp3s for the cars.

I'm with lovinthehd on this one. Use your HDMI output from your PC into the Anthem. More devices in the chaini only give the opportunity for signal (sound) degradation.

(Yes, I gave up on my Vinyl ages ago when I had over 1500 Albums in pristine condition. I still kept a couple Albums for my wife and both turntables =>neither hooked up => as she never asks to play those disks, even though she'll ask if I still have them every couple of years.)

With the Korg DS-DAC-10R (not sold in the USA) and Audiogate software, it doesn't matter which format I use. Flac DSD/64 DSD/128; it all records the same to the computer. The files then need to be sorted and named. So why not record with a higher sampling rate and lower distortion? My vinyl collection has Direct to Disc and Half Speed Master recordings, take my Telarc 1812 Overture in Live Direct to Disc (cannons down to 16HZ) or the Beatles White Album in Half speed Master do you think nothing would be lost in Flac?

I don't like compression or cutting out, "you can't hear it anyway" parts of the presentation. I would never listen to an MP3 or M4A they just don't have any life. When I listen to music, I want to hear it like I'm there; not just someone singing with a bunch of notes. I want to be in the audience or the studio.

To play one record at a time is a bit of a pain. If DSD gets me close ok, when I want the full experience I'll put the vinyl on my Raga P3 and mellow out.

 

[lovinthehd]

FLAC is lossless. It is a container of sorts that can hold a variety of formats.....don't know if dsd is one of them. It would record the same dsd vs flac of a 16/44 or 24/96 or whatever format (if it does encompass dsd). If you can hear the differences you are a rare golden ear the likes of which haven't been properly bowed down to and praised!

 

[rjharle]

Well good luck. The dvd player lacks content or sounding hollow doesn't make a lot of sense....you sure it's just not the quality of your rips?

The "rips" are DSD from vinyl, I don't like CDs. I add to my music collection from places like HDtracks.

 

[rjharle]

FLAC is lossless. It is a container of sorts that can hold a variety of formats.....don't know if dsd is one of them. It would record the same dsd vs flac of a 16/44 or 24/96 or whatever format (if it does encompass dsd). If you can hear the differences you are a rare golden ear the likes of which haven't been properly bowed down to and praised!

You can go from DSD to Flac but not go from Flac to DSD. Once the content of DSD is lost it's gone.

No, I'm not one of the golden ears that profess to hear the difference between a $30 cable and $300 one.

 

[lovinthehd]

You can go from DSD to Flac but not go from Flac to DSD. Once the content of DSD is lost it's gone.

No, I'm not one of the golden ears that profess to hear the difference between a $30 cable and $300 one.

Well dsd cannot be manipulated, it must be turned into pcm for the likes of equalization for example, so perhaps it also must be converted to pcm for flac to work. DSD is just old tech, it's largely irrelevant today. Nothing particularly special about it. Maybe the care with which some recordings in dsd are made, but not for vinyl....