Greetings everyone,
We have some excellent news! Based on community interest and feedback, we’re extending this drop by another 2 weeks. But not to worry, this will not extend the shipping date. We’re still aiming to deliver these products to you well on time.
We’ve also been listening closely to the discussions and we’ve identified an opportunity to make improvements to the I/O ports. Several members expressed desire in having additional options for digital input, namely optical input (TOSLINK). The Grace Design team has found a way to revise the PCB design to accomodate a single 3.5mm port that can handle both optical input and S/PDIF coaxial input using a 3.5mm-to-coaxial adapter. This is great because it won’t increase the manufacturing lead time nor will it affect the shipping date.
FROM: COAX SPDIF only
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TO: 3.5mm combo jack- Optical SPDIF or Coax SPDIF (with an adapter)
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3.5mm to RCA adapter:
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Thanks again for joining the Massdrop x Grace Design Standard DAC Balanced drop. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us.
Thank You,
The Massdrop Team
AndyMokYes! You can use the SDAC-B by connecting to more sources.
Some people have sources with optical out like an Apple TV or a CD player.
Some people prefer a fiber optic cable because it is immune to radio frequency interference (sends signals by laser light).
Others prefer coaxial cable with an RCA connector.
Now you can use either.
In order to be able to fit it all in that small back panel, we needed to find a less than typical jack. Looks like a standard 3.5mm headphone jack but will take a 3.5mm Toslink optical connector or an RCA to 3.5mm TRS connector. We'll need to include an adapter for the RCA to 3.5mm so it is easier, since that isn't usually something that you will have lying around.
CEE_TEEI have a computer connected to some powered speakers using a standard optical cable like this one https://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=102&cp_id=10229&cs_id=1022904&p_id=2764&seq=1&format=2
So lets make this clear. You have a spdif out and a unbalanced 3.5mm out right? Is the adapter for the spdif or the 3.5m out and does it go to a standard optical? I ask because connecting the dac to my power speakers using optical would be nice.
As you can see, Toslink mini just fits 3.5mm size
So, inside end of Spdif jack(3.5mm) has optical something that receives optical signal
and the side of Spdif(3.5 mm) receives the Coaxial(electric) signal!
It's different with 3.5 mm Unbalanced Output at all!!! Only similar looking!
Z0d1AcHi ZOd1Ac,
The SDAC-B has TOSLINK (optical) and SPDIF (coaxial) inputs, not outputs. The adapter is to allow connections from an RCA phono type SPDIF cable to the 3.5mm SPDIF input jack. Connection to your powered speakers would be made via the analog unbalanced or balanced connections.
Cheers,
Michael
Michael_GraceHey Michael,
First, thanks a bunch for all the super detailed answers and descriptions of this DAC thus far.
Second, other than space constraints, any reason why not to have 2 RCAs for unbalanced out instead of 3.5mm port?
Third, hoping you folks either with Massdrop on your own can make an external-powered version sometime soon.
rdodevHi rdodev,
The dicision to use a 3.5mm jack for the unbalanced line outputs was driven by space restraints.
As for external power, the SDAC alanced is easily powered by any 5V power supply with a USB jack on it.
Michael
Michael_GraceBut then that would not allow use of the USB port, which would defeat the purpose -- at least for me. Curious what's the operating amperage of this SDAC ?
Michael_GraceThanks for the explanation Michael. Are there any disadvantages in using a single 3.5 jack instead of 2 RCA's? I'm seriously considering joining the drop.
LeoiElectrically there are no disadvantages that I am aware of. Mechanically the 3.5mm jack can be more susceptible to breakage if the cable gets yanked...
Some 3.5mm to rca cables may have more crosstalk than rca to rca cables. Personally, I don't feel crosstalk is a problem once it is better than 60dB or so.
Micahel
Michael_GraceLikely it's undue paranoia, but delivering power and fast streams of data in the same cable, although perfectly within USB A/B spec, always gives me pause. If this was USB 3 rev C I'd be more at ease due to its new power delivery subsystem. It isn't as much as technical requirement as it's personal preference/paranoia :)
rdodevActually a Y-split will do, one for data and one for power. Pretty common on mini-type I think, not aware of any available in type B to A though.
CEE_TEEJust curious since I can't find it in the specs. What is the max sample rate over optical? Is it 24/192 like the coax connection or is it limited to 24/96? Thanks.