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In Reply to: RE: Digital to Analog Converter ? posted by Triode_Kingdom on July 27, 2010 at 21:07:26
Just go to ebay.com and select "electronics" for the category, type in "DAC" for the search and "ending soonest" for the preference. The link below is for a $36 DAC (ends in about 2 hours from my post time). There are plenty like this one on ebay.
Or, how about this little piece of crap that will do what you want from Meritline for $15 shipped (you just need a 1/8" / 3.5mm to 2 RCA plugs adapter that Meritline probably sells for $3 or so):
http://www.meritline.com/usb-sound-adapter-789---p-35243.aspx
Follow Ups:
I suspect the Meritline is just a USB sound device. It's slightly possible that it could work standalone (as an ADC or DAC), but I wouldn't bet on it.
You might find an actual Dolby Digital surround receiver for cheaper than a DAC. I've seen one for under $40 at a pawn shop. Some Pioneer receivers had preamp outputs.
Another option is a digital surround processor... in the early days of Dolby Digital and DTS, many receivers were sold as "digital ready" with 5.1 analog inputs, and outboard processors were sold separately or bundled. These were comparative bargains compared to the high-end separate processors. Most only supported Dolby Digital, and the only budget model with both DD and DTS that I know of was the Technics SH-AC500D. SGHT rated it and the matching receiver "Class B" at the time, which was uncommonly high praise considering most things they review have an extra zero in the price. It's conceivable you might find one of those boxes for sale used; the Technics makes a fine standalone processor, since it has remote volume and source selection, and several optical and RCA inputs. Analog in is just pass-through, no volume control. Add 4 or 5 channels of tube ampage and there you go. 5.1 is best, since the 500D doesn't do "bass management" or phantom center for DTS. With PCM (stereo) sources, it can apply Dolby Prologic surround decoding or just do stereo out like a regular DAC. If DTS isn't a priority, start with 4.0 and add subwoofers and center as available. If you want one now, eBay regularly has them and they sell for under $100.
Another thing to watch for, particularly if buying online. There were analog surround processors which decoded Dolby Surround or Pro Logic from 2 channel analog inputs. Some of these, confusingly, are prominently labeled as "Digital" because they use a digital delay line for the rear channel rather than the venerable analog bucket brigade delay. They aren't remotely worth what people on eBay are asking. I suspect they're trolling for suckers who mistake them for a Dolby Digital processor or don't know any better.
One thing to watch for, though: on my SH-AC500D, the DTS portion died after 6 years or so. This didn't affect any other functions, so it is possible that a seller might not be aware of this fault, or would fail to disclose it.
Last time I used my SH-AC500D, dts seemed OK but it is hard to remember. So, if I haul it out to sell it, what is a quick test of that?
I just hooked up the SH-AC500D to test what happens. And, now it works on both DD and DTS again (tried the DTS tracks on Beastmaster and Planet Of the Apes (remake)). So, I can't confirm the symptoms. I ~think~ the amber DTS indicator did not illuminate, but I can't be sure.
I did not have that problem. I hope I do not when/if I pull it out of the closet to sell. ;-)Kal
Edits: 07/29/10
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