New DAC Project

[Dejak]

Hello Folks

I'm making new dac, and the chip I’m going to use is PCM1794. The idea is to route X-Fi soundcard data and clock directly to the PCM1794, so I can avoid S/Pdif receiver. I’m going to build the DAC to the external box and I think I’m going to use 4-pair data cable for connection .
Should I buffer data and clock before routing it to the DAC? (what chip should I use for buffering?)

Another method is to use Toslink, but what are the disadvantages for this connection? (I know… 4 cables, but that is my personal problem, ok?) Should I buffer coming data/clock before routing it to the toslink?

What is the disadvantage's for this kind of connection?

-Juho

[gbyleveldt]

If you not going to use S/PDif, I assume you intend using the I2S signals from before the DAC in the sound card? You gonna have to buffer these, I'm afriad. Easily done using LVDS, checkout TI
Transmitter and Receiver

You can use a CAT5 cable to join them