playing 24bit 192khz flac files on 2 channel integrated amp, help a guy out please

[pcosmic]

Hello audioholics -
- I have a Yamaha WXC-50 streamer and a Yamaha A-S801 integrated amplifer.

- I can plug a laptop (which i also do work on) into the A-S801's usb input to play flac files. I don't want to use a laptop with the usb cord reaching all the way across my living room up to the amp. I am really tired of dealing with my large freaking dogs and kids running around and tripping over the usb cable constantly.

- Hence, i bought a WXC-50 streamer that i can set right next to the amp and have no usb cord reaching across the living room.I have a bunch of 24bit 192khz flac files on a usb flash drive plugged into the WXC-50's usb input.

- I would like to use the DAC built into the A-S801 as it is a much better DAC implementation than what's in the WXC-50 streamer. As i understand, i can connect the streamer's digital optical out or digital coax into the amp's digital inputs (optical or coax),which would bypass the streamer's DAC. As i understand, if i connect the digital optical outs from the WXC-50 to digital optical or coax input on the A-S801, i have restrictions on playing 24bit 192khz flacs. What do i do?

Thanks in advance

 

[PENG]

Hello audioholics -
- I have a Yamaha WXC-50 streamer and a Yamaha A-S801 integrated amplifer.

- I can plug a laptop (which i also do work on) into the A-S801's usb input to play flac files. I don't want to use a laptop with the usb cord reaching all the way across my living room up to the amp. I am really tired of dealing with my large freaking dogs and kids running around and tripping over the usb cable constantly.

- Hence, i bought a WXC-50 streamer that i can set right next to the amp and have no usb cord reaching across the living room.I have a bunch of 24bit 192khz flac files on a usb flash drive plugged into the WXC-50's usb input.

- I would like to use the DAC built into the A-S801 as it is a much better DAC implementation than what's in the WXC-50 streamer. As i understand, i can connect the streamer's digital optical out or digital coax into the amp's digital inputs (optical or coax),which would bypass the streamer's DAC. As i understand, if i connect the digital optical outs from the WXC-50 to digital optical or coax input on the A-S801, i have restrictions on playing 24bit 192khz flacs. What do i do?

Thanks in advance

I wouldn't bother.. The WXC's DAC is as good as the USB DAC in the 801. I am also not sure if the optical/coax are routed to the DAC for the USB input, it is possible that it is routed to the PCM5101 that is has much lower spec.

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

I’m not sure I get the point of the streamer. Why not just put all your music on an outboard hard drive, and connect it to the S801 via its USB input?

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[pcosmic]

I’m not sure I get the point of the streamer. Why not just put all your music on an outboard hard drive, and connect it to the S801 via its USB input?

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

The USB input on the A-S801 amp is just for a PC connection (to be selected as USB DAC). It is not designed to be a stand-alone player that will play files from a outboard drive (as is the case in most receivers).

 

[pcosmic]

I wouldn't bother.. The WXC's DAC is as good as the USB DAC in the 801. I am also not sure if the optical/coax are routed to the DAC for the USB input, it is possible that it is routed to the PCM5101 that is has much lower spec.

Can you clarify the last line better? Are you implying that there are 2 chips? one is specd better than other and it's not clear if the optical is routed to the better DAC? I understood that to be the case on the WXC-50 from a youtube review. But, i didn't realize that the A-S801 had the same scenario.

 

[PENG]

Can you clarify the last line better? Are you implying that there are 2 chips? one is specd better than other and it's not clear if the optical is routed to the better DAC? I understood that to be the case on the WXC-50 from a youtube review. But, i didn't realize that the A-S801 had the same scenario.

If you google for the service manual, you should be able to download it and then take a look of the block diagram Page 36. It shows connection of the optical and coax inputs connected the a PCM5101APWR dac chip via a selector. That's just the block diagram, I couldn't find more details. The only thing that I am clear is, the USB DAC definitely use the ES9010K2M, that has similar specs to the ES9006 used in the WXC and other RX-A AVRs. The 9006 is 4 dB better in DNR but the 9010 is 4 dB better in THD+N so practically a wash.