does USB DAC process MP3s too?

tilroh · 20th May 2008, 02:02 AM

I'm missing some basic understanding of how a external DAC processes data. I know the USB DAC will process the WAV files on my hard drive but does it process other formats like MP3 as well?

Thanks

planet10 · 20th May 2008, 02:46 AM

Yes, it should. I don't have any MP3s so have never tried it thou.

dave

illnastyimpreza · 20th May 2008, 03:38 AM

hhmm interesting

ssmith · 20th May 2008, 03:56 AM

It's not the DAC that processes the WAV, MP3, FLAC, APE, MPC, etc etc. It's the computer.

In really simple terms, the computer takes a music file (whatever it is), processes it, and sends the resulting digital data to a soundcard, where a chip converts that digital stream to analogue, so you can listen to it.

tilroh · 20th May 2008, 04:15 AM

thanks ssmith,

...So digital output from the computer is a standard sound stream that DACs convert?

Is your music app. (iTunes, WinAmp, etc) processing the ones and zeros into this stream?

one question leads to many more, what a surprise.

ssmith · 20th May 2008, 05:01 AM

correct, the media player (iTunes, Media Player, Foobar, XMMS, whatever...) takes the file, decodes it and manages it (stop, play, pause, FF etc) in relation to a hardware output device (soundcard / USB DAC).
So if your media player can handle a WAV and send it to your DAC, the chances are it can take an MP3 and send it to your DAC.

ssmith · 20th May 2008, 05:03 AM

Oh, and cast a vote here for a separate PC audio forum!

tilroh · 20th May 2008, 05:32 AM

which leads to another question.... is there a difference in the sound quality of media players? and can the media player code be modded to improve it? (just kidding, I think).

Akita · 10th June 2008, 03:50 AM

May I know, what is the difference between dac from pc sound card compare to usb?

dfdye · 10th June 2008, 04:26 AM

That's heavily dependent on the sound card and USB DAC you are comparing. Think of a USB DAC like an external sound card, if you will--they both serve the same purpose.

That being said, the DIY implementation of a USB based chip is easier than building your own PCI card IMHO, thus the disproportionate representation of external USB based devices in the DIY crowd vs. internal solutions.

20th May 2008, 02:02 AM	#1
tilroh diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2008	does USB DAC process MP3s too? I'm missing some basic understanding of how a external DAC processes data. I know the USB DAC will process the WAV files on my hard drive but does it process other formats like MP3 as well? Thanks

20th May 2008, 02:46 AM	#2
planet10 frugal-phile(tm) diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Victoria, BC, NA, Sol III Blog Entries: 4	Yes, it should. I don't have any MP3s so have never tried it thou. dave __________________ community sites t-linespeakers.org, frugal-horn.com ........ commercial site planet10-HiFi p10-hifi forum here at diyA

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20th May 2008, 03:38 AM	#3
illnastyimpreza diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2008	hhmm interesting

20th May 2008, 03:56 AM	#4
ssmith diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Paris	It's not the DAC that processes the WAV, MP3, FLAC, APE, MPC, etc etc. It's the computer. In really simple terms, the computer takes a music file (whatever it is), processes it, and sends the resulting digital data to a soundcard, where a chip converts that digital stream to analogue, so you can listen to it.

20th May 2008, 04:15 AM	#5
tilroh diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2008	thanks ssmith, ...So digital output from the computer is a standard sound stream that DACs convert? Is your music app. (iTunes, WinAmp, etc) processing the ones and zeros into this stream? one question leads to many more, what a surprise.

20th May 2008, 05:01 AM	#6
ssmith diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Paris	correct, the media player (iTunes, Media Player, Foobar, XMMS, whatever...) takes the file, decodes it and manages it (stop, play, pause, FF etc) in relation to a hardware output device (soundcard / USB DAC). So if your media player can handle a WAV and send it to your DAC, the chances are it can take an MP3 and send it to your DAC.

20th May 2008, 05:03 AM	#7
ssmith diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Paris	Oh, and cast a vote here for a separate PC audio forum!

20th May 2008, 05:32 AM	#8
tilroh diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2008	which leads to another question.... is there a difference in the sound quality of media players? and can the media player code be modded to improve it? (just kidding, I think).

10th June 2008, 03:50 AM	#9
Akita diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Kuala Lumpur	May I know, what is the difference between dac from pc sound card compare to usb?

10th June 2008, 04:26 AM	#10
dfdye diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: USA	That's heavily dependent on the sound card and USB DAC you are comparing. Think of a USB DAC like an external sound card, if you will--they both serve the same purpose. That being said, the DIY implementation of a USB based chip is easier than building your own PCI card IMHO, thus the disproportionate representation of external USB based devices in the DIY crowd vs. internal solutions.

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