Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions
Showing 1 of 17 conversations about:
Evshrug
3770
Community
Jul 26, 2018
bookmark_border
Woaaaah... I bet you opened that manual, and had the same ”Information Overload” reaction as me. I guess it’s that detailed about the circuit layout so that repair shops could look at it like a LEGO instructions book and know what part to order from Sony, but it’s surprisingly blurry when trying to look at the rear-side photo. This manual takes me back to my college internship, where I churned out hundreads (dread inserted intentionally) of manuals for electric breakers.
ok, enough of me entertaining myself... I imagine it does have at least an onboard ADC and computer in there, because of the Dolby processing and the fact that the front proudly displays “Digital Cinema Sound Processing,” twice. Also, the manual mentions digital input and 75 Ω inputs, which to me mean “Coax Input.” It’s like my Polk Audio subwoofer... it can take analog inputs, but the white “left channel” RCA is also a coax input.
I’m honestly NOT entirely convinced it has a DAC with a Coax or S/PDIF (Sony Phillips Digital InterFace, I believe) input. If it did have a coax input (and you have something with a Coax out to try with), then I guess this closet creature has nothing to lose by trying it out, an the white DVD RCA input would be my best guess. DACs are one thing that HAVE steadily been improving over the years (unless you count the tricky multibit DACs from Theta and the like, which were better than most DACs for a long time till they were ursurped by the Schiit Yggdrasil and multibit DACs from other companies like Audio GD), so even if your Sony Does have a DAC inside, getting a newer one would sound better.
Jul 26, 2018
RayF
22214
Jul 26, 2018
bookmark_border
EvshrugHa!! I knew I could count on you! Absolutely agree too, by the way about that damn service manual, way the hell over my head but I thought it would at least layout the back panel. Now on to the connects--your point about better DACs is well taken and inexpensive ones designed to apparently do what I need to do, are, well, inexpensive! Not to mention rather straight forward when it comes to hooking things up. I'm sure about the Computer USB to DAC USB connections (same as my Jotunheim). What I'm still not clear about is whether my iMac has an optical out or my receiver has one, in? Regardless, the DAC interface you and @RyCan kindly suggested would solve the problem and my confusion! I also like @RyCan 's suggestion regarding the Bluetooth option. Any thoughts about that idea?
By the way, for being one of the first to participate in the discussion/solution, I'm awarding both of you a free copy of my (now) favorite Snarky Puppy Youtube video featuring "Outlier"--bet you can't listen just once! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Qo1NFwMhBA&frags=wn
Jul 26, 2018
ElectronicVices
2937
Jul 26, 2018
bookmark_border
RayFLook for a bluetooth receiver that includes AAC (for optimal IOS/Mac OS compatibility) or aptX/HD if you have a source with those codecs. I actually miss detailed instruction manuals so it was fun digging through this one. If it does include DAC it is internal only. A lot of receivers from this era includes ADC/DAC conversion to apply DSP/Soundfields but I can't make out from the manual whether that is true in this case. Can't seem to find clarification on whether or not this uses a discrete headphone circuit, op-amp or just the the regular power amp with a resistor in the chain. If it is the last option (which is typically in receivers from this timeframe) then it will be best with higher impedance headphones as the OI of that topology typically result in impedances from 10 to 50 ohms. Depending on the year of your iMac it should have an Headphone Out that also doubles as a digital out.
Something like this should work to get the digital signal from your iMac to whatever DAC you use. (based on @Evshrug 's comment you may need a mini toslink (optical) to full toslink cable instead of the mini spdif I linked)
https://www.amazon.com/Micca-Premium-SPDIF-Digital-Coaxial/dp/B00V436UQU (just the first hit, not necessarily saying this is the best value cable)
iMac connection reference: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204392
Jul 26, 2018
Evshrug
3770
Community
Jul 26, 2018
bookmark_border
RayFAgree with @ElectronicVices , I used to work at Apple Retail in the Genius Bar (I’m not a genius, that’s just the name of the service 😅), and most of the iMacs have mini toslink-out optical outputs. The 3.5mm jack is a combo port, with a little door that swings open to reveal the red light goodness of optical, simply by plugging in the right cable. Of course, USB DAC options abound as well... is the iMac near your bed? Another option could be a self-powered DAC (battery or a wall-wart for power) that can connect to an iPhone with the USB port on a Camera Connection Kit (or an OTG cable for an Android phone).
Some neato suggestions:
Bluewave GET: Little Bluetooth receiver with a decent DAC/amp (system on a chip) that should easily supply the 2V output that is best for most amps’ input. I’ve seen these go on sale here at Massdrop fairly frequently, has replaced the headphone jack dongle for my iPhone, and even does a decent job with my 300 Ω Sennheiser HD 650. Bluetooth 5 for high butrate transmission with an iPhone 8 generation, AAC for older iPhones, Apt-X HD for Android phones and iMac. A bit of background hiss with sensitive IEMs tho.
EarStudio ES100-24bit Portable High-Resolution Bluetooth Receiver: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B078H4YD2L/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awdo_t1_AHGwBb92BBCC4 I haven’t tried this one, but read good things. Like the GET, this one would also serve as a portable DAC/amp.
If you wanna get fancy, check out the Shanling M0: it’s a DAP, so you could use it as a music source as well as a DAC, but it also has 2-way Bluetooth... so you could use it to feed Bluetooth speakers and headphones, OR you could stream audio from your smartphone to use it as a wireless DAC. It would solve your bedside dilemma, but honestly you’d probably take it out on the town too, haha. https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07CPS2TQB/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awdo_t1_rMGwBb5FF4B74
Jul 26, 2018
ElectronicVices
2937
Jul 26, 2018
bookmark_border
EvshrugHaven't really used it in this application but I can personally attest to the ES100 being a good piece of kit. I use mine to make my K10's "wireless" and I like the app features. Not the most sturdy of constructions but that keeps it light.
Jul 26, 2018
View Full Discussion
Related Posts
Trending Posts in Audiophile