Playstation as PC DAC?

john blackburn · 27th June 2008, 04:03 PM

A question to the wise out there. Would it be possible to convert a playstaion for use as an offboard dac for a PC soundcard?

I have the M-Audio 2496 which can do SPDIF out, so could a playstation motherboard be modified to accept the SPDIF signal? I'm guessing the answer is no as I dont think anybody has suggested it in the past but thought I would ask anyway.

Sorry if this is a daft question, feel free to tell me why, it's all good learning. If it could be done it saves another item from landfill and could be a wheeze. We can still pick 1002s up for £10 here so it could be a cheap project if it's possible.

John

jaycee · 29th June 2008, 12:32 AM

No. You would need an S/PDIF reciever circuit for a start.

The DAC in the PSX is probably integrated into one of the chips. Even if it is an external type, it's probably some low end type that would run off of a single 5V supply, powered by a relatively noisy SMPS supply.

It would be simpler, easier and cleaner to build a standalone DAC.

Nanook · 29th June 2008, 04:58 AM

do a search for "Sony playstation as cd player", 2000+ responses and counting.

The DAC is the strong point and the durability of the transport. But the hassles of separating out the inputs, etc may be too much of a PITA....

If needing a DAC, look at some of the NOS types here at diyAudio...or some of the other proven designs out there.

stew

john blackburn · 29th June 2008, 10:46 AM

I thought that would be the answer.

I have a modded playstation serving as a CD player already and love the sound. That's why I was wondering if there was anything else could be done with them.

Thanks for the opiniions.

John

rfbrw · 29th June 2008, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by john blackburn
A question to the wise out there. Would it be possible to convert a playstaion for use as an offboard dac for a PC soundcard?

John

So long as you have some idea of what goes where, it is a trivial task. Lego is more taxing.

john blackburn · 29th June 2008, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Lego is more taxing

Aye, if you know what you are looking at!

Do you have an opinion for a suitable SPDIF converter? I'm still a fresh faced newcomer to this and I'm still on the steep face of the learning curve.

It was only a "could it be done" as for the cost I like the sound of the Playstation and it appeals to my frugal nature to recycle something to a new purpose.

John

rfbrw · 29th June 2008, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by john blackburn

Do you have an opinion for a suitable SPDIF converter?

The easiest to use would be the obsolete but sporadically available YM3623. Perhaps you have an old dac that can donate one. Failing that, the TI DIR9001. The others complicate matters.

john blackburn · 29th June 2008, 08:11 PM

Righty Ho. I will Google those numbers and see if I can make head or tail of it.

Thanks for the suggestions

John

27th June 2008, 04:03 PM	#1
john blackburn diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Wirral UK	Playstation as PC DAC? A question to the wise out there. Would it be possible to convert a playstaion for use as an offboard dac for a PC soundcard? I have the M-Audio 2496 which can do SPDIF out, so could a playstation motherboard be modified to accept the SPDIF signal? I'm guessing the answer is no as I dont think anybody has suggested it in the past but thought I would ask anyway. Sorry if this is a daft question, feel free to tell me why, it's all good learning. If it could be done it saves another item from landfill and could be a wheeze. We can still pick 1002s up for £10 here so it could be a cheap project if it's possible. John

29th June 2008, 04:58 AM	#3
Nanook diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Chinook Country.Alberta	lies, I tell you, lies! do a search for "Sony playstation as cd player", 2000+ responses and counting. The DAC is the strong point and the durability of the transport. But the hassles of separating out the inputs, etc may be too much of a PITA.... If needing a DAC, look at some of the NOS types here at diyAudio...or some of the other proven designs out there. stew __________________ stew ☮ -"A sane man in an insane world appears insane."

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29th June 2008, 12:32 AM	#2
jaycee diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Norwich, UK	No. You would need an S/PDIF reciever circuit for a start. The DAC in the PSX is probably integrated into one of the chips. Even if it is an external type, it's probably some low end type that would run off of a single 5V supply, powered by a relatively noisy SMPS supply. It would be simpler, easier and cleaner to build a standalone DAC.

29th June 2008, 10:46 AM	#4
john blackburn diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Wirral UK	I thought that would be the answer. I have a modded playstation serving as a CD player already and love the sound. That's why I was wondering if there was anything else could be done with them. Thanks for the opiniions. John

29th June 2008, 08:11 PM	#8
john blackburn diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Wirral UK	Righty Ho. I will Google those numbers and see if I can make head or tail of it. Thanks for the suggestions John

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