penger Posted February 17, 2009 Report Posted February 17, 2009 So, hopefully I'm not making a complete fool of myself for asking but... If you had to chose, would you rather have a longer USB cable or RCA cable from computer -> DAC -> amp? Would having a longer USB be better because of they way it transmits data? Does it apply to optical and coax too? I remember reading (don't remember where) that if you had to chose a longer speaker cable or a longer IC from source -> amp, you should run longer IC and keep the speaker cable shorter... not sure if that's related though...
Salt Peanuts Posted February 17, 2009 Report Posted February 17, 2009 longer USB and shorter RCA. x2 I use a 25 ft or so of Firewire (with a repeater) for my Duet. Probably will end up doing the same thing (with USB) if I do go ahead with the plan to get Justin's new USB DAC when it comes out.
Salt Peanuts Posted February 18, 2009 Report Posted February 18, 2009 Just FYI, if you're going beyond certain length (5 m for USB2.0, IIRC), you'd want to get an extension cable with a repeater (or a hub with a repeater) so you have a better chance of it working.
penger Posted February 18, 2009 Author Report Posted February 18, 2009 So a repeater basically boosts the signal?
Pars Posted February 18, 2009 Report Posted February 18, 2009 So, hopefully I'm not making a complete fool of myself for asking but... If you had to chose, would you rather have a longer USB cable No or RCA cable from computer -> DAC -> amp? Would having a longer USB be better because of they way it transmits data? USB should make no difference. Does it apply to optical and coax too?Coax, yes. Should be at least 1.5m to minimize the effect of reflections. I remember reading (don't remember where) that if you had to chose a longer speaker cable or a longer IC from source -> amp, you should run longer IC and keep the speaker cable shorter... not sure if that's related though...Some subscribe to that theory. Others go opposite (short ICs, long speaker cables (I think Mapleshade might advocate this,but I don't get their catalogs anymore).
penger Posted February 18, 2009 Author Report Posted February 18, 2009 Coax, yes. Should be at least 1.5m to minimize the effect of reflections. Just to clarify, so you're saying coax cables should be at least 1.5m long?
Dusty Chalk Posted February 18, 2009 Report Posted February 18, 2009 NoYes. Keeps the DAC electronics further away from the polluting environments of the computer.
Pars Posted February 18, 2009 Report Posted February 18, 2009 Yes. Keeps the DAC electronics further away from the polluting environments of the computer. Ooops, yeah I hadn't considered that aspect.
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