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Topic: How to play FLAC files with the DAC and Powered Speaker setup (Read 4158 times) previous topic - next topic
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How to play FLAC files with the DAC and Powered Speaker setup

Hi

Im planning to buy a powered speaker and DAC for my mid HI FI set up.
Here are the product links
Powered speakers:- https://swanspeakers.com/product/m200mkiii-bluetooth-bookshelf-speakers/
DAC:- https://www.spacehifi.com.au/brik-audio/brik-audio-da-converter

I already have a cd player which supports FLAC format and has usb input.

If I play the FLAC files from usb and feed the coaxial output of the cd player to the coaxial input of DAC which is fed to speker, is this a possible set up and if yes will there be any loss of quality? (Compression along the line)?

Re: How to play FLAC files with the DAC and Powered Speaker setup

Reply #1
Can't you just use coaxial and optical directly? No need for a DAC, since the speakers already have their own DAC.

If your sources are a computer and a CD player, then just connect the speakers to the computer using optical, and to the CD player using coaxial. Unless your computer does not have optical S/PDIF output (but that's quite rare these days.)

Re: How to play FLAC files with the DAC and Powered Speaker setup

Reply #2
Can't you just use coaxial and optical directly? No need for a DAC, since the speakers already have their own DAC.

If your sources are a computer and a CD player, then just connect the speakers to the computer using optical, and to the CD player using coaxial. Unless your computer does not have optical S/PDIF output (but that's quite rare these days.)

No the speakers dont have DAC. They just have the amplifier inbuilt.
My source is a cd player which I connect to DAC using coaxial..

My doubt is will I be able to play the FLACs using the usb input of cd player and without any quality loss?

Also can I use the same set up to pay 24bit 192Khz music files for example? Or I can only play 16bit, 44.1Khz CD quality files as the cd player only supports that

Re: How to play FLAC files with the DAC and Powered Speaker setup

Reply #3
From the link you provided...

"and more contemporary interfaces like Bluetooth and Optical etc."

Re: How to play FLAC files with the DAC and Powered Speaker setup

Reply #4
From the link you provided...

"and more contemporary interfaces like Bluetooth and Optical etc."
On the link, you can enlarge a selection of photos of the product, clearly showing digital inputs on the back panel, selectable via the remote. So the DAC is unnecessary.

Re: How to play FLAC files with the DAC and Powered Speaker setup

Reply #5
From the link you provided...

"and more contemporary interfaces like Bluetooth and Optical etc."
On the link, you can enlarge a selection of photos of the product, clearly showing digital inputs on the back panel, selectable via the remote. So the DAC is unnecessary.

Sorry I didn’t notice that. However I believe the Brik DAC is a superior one than the inbuilt as this was sold as a package.

I so would follow the chain mentioned.

Can you comment on the actual query?

Re: How to play FLAC files with the DAC and Powered Speaker setup

Reply #6
However I believe the Brik DAC is a superior one than the inbuilt as this was sold as a package.
Speaker might just convert that DAC signal back to digital and do high and lowpass filters on digital side and then do the conversion to analog for each amp again.


Re: How to play FLAC files with the DAC and Powered Speaker setup

Reply #8
My doubt is will I be able to play the FLACs using the usb input of cd player and without any quality loss?
Why not?
Also can I use the same set up to pay 24bit 192Khz music files for example?
Highly doubtful.

P. S. You don't need a DAC.

Is it because the CD player has only support for 16bit, 44.1Khz

I bought the DAC as it was packaged with the speaker which made me think the speaker didnt have DAC or other wise the Brik is superior one. Nohing about DAC is mentioned in the speaker speks..

Now if I intent to play the 24bit. 96Kz/192Khz the DAC actually is compatible isnt it?

Now if I buy a FiiO X5 III and feed the coax out to DAC will that cover off the HiRes part?

Re: How to play FLAC files with the DAC and Powered Speaker setup

Reply #9
It would be unusual, but not unheard of, for a CD player to pass non-Redbook files.  What model CD player do you have?

I was mistaken about the speakers; contrary to some photos, they do NOT have an onboard DAC:
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/swans2/1.html

That Brik DAC can handle up to 24/192 via S/PDIF (coax or optical), but not via USB.  A Fiio X5 connected via S/PDIF should work fine.  You'll need a cable like this:
https://www.amazon.com/SPDIF-Digital-Coaxial-Audio-Cable/dp/B01LZCJX1Y

Re: How to play FLAC files with the DAC and Powered Speaker setup

Reply #10
It would be unusual, but not unheard of, for a CD player to pass non-Redbook files.  What model CD player do you have?

I was mistaken about the speakers; contrary to some photos, they do NOT have an onboard DAC:
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/swans2/1.html

That Brik DAC can handle up to 24/192 via S/PDIF (coax or optical), but not via USB.  A Fiio X5 connected via S/PDIF should work fine.  You'll need a cable like this:
https://www.amazon.com/SPDIF-Digital-Coaxial-Audio-Cable/dp/B01LZCJX1Y

Excellent, so its all good. FiiO x5 comes with that cable I presume.

This is the cd player I have (https://www.whathifi.com/sony/bdp-s4100/review)