Is it possible to get digital out from MP3 player?

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TB

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Joined 2004
#1
Hello,
I am new to digital media players. I have searched related threads and the outcome is that majority of MP3 players do not have digital outs. But, no one mentioned USB input on all of them used to charge/downlod music files. Is it possible to use that connection to take the digital signal out? If yes what would be the signal format?
Reason why I ask is to have stand alone FLAC player. I have noticed few threads about FLAC players, but all of them mentioned use of computer what I want to avoid.
 
#3
TB said:
Hello,
I am new to digital media players. I have searched related threads and the outcome is that majority of MP3 players do not have digital outs. But, no one mentioned USB input on all of them used to charge/downlod music files. Is it possible to use that connection to take the digital signal out? If yes what would be the signal format?
Reason why I ask is to have stand alone FLAC player. I have noticed few threads about FLAC players, but all of them mentioned use of computer what I want to avoid.
Click to expand...

Do you want it to play FLAC files or do you want FLAC out?

Sansaclip claims to play FLAC files.
 
#6
A digital media player will have a DAC in it. The DAC will be fed with digital information, usually a bit-clock, L/R clock and data. These can be connected to and brought out on wires. You cannot use the USB port.

It won't be straightforward. The connections will be to surface mount components with very small, closely spaced pins, and will be difficult to make in a robust manner. You might be able to do it if you cover the connections and wires in hot glue once you have made them.

w
 
#7
#8
Hello,
Thank you very much for all responses. I need to admit my question was not exactly about what I had on my mind. Let's start again......
I do have a Sansa Clip 4GB player, which can be expanded with additional memory card. It does play FLAC very well. Quality is high and this is a reason why for the first time I started to think digital format is not as bad as I thought. So, to follow my admiration I connected the player to my audio system. Result was not as good as with headphones. I am not sure why, but I blame analogue output stage. It is not just designed for that purpose. Since FLAC offers very good quality I thought about something like "music server" style machine. Source of files could be external or internal hard drive, FLAC converter ( I am only interested in FLAC format) and nice discrete output stage. And the most important...no computer use for the purpose. Is it possible to create FLAC player like this? I thought about using existing components like sound cards as converters, but I am not sure they can work without computers. Did anyone try to build any format player? is it realistic?
Sorry for the previous confusion.
 
#9
One more thing.... probably the easiest would be to take the signal out from the MP3 player just after converter and before output stage. But, all the players are so small and I assume all components might be on the same substrate of the chip. I just thought to use the player as FLAC converter with outboard output stage.
 
#10
Respectfully, I think you are trying to reinvent the wheel. there are other devices out there that will do exactly as you want, and easier to mod for a nice analog output stage. You should read the thread I suggested to you from page 1. It may be helpful to you.
 
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#14
TB said:
I do have a Sansa Clip 4GB player, which can be expanded with additional memory card. It does play FLAC very well. Quality is high and this is a reason why for the first time I started to think digital format is not as bad as I thought. So, to follow my admiration I connected the player to my audio system. Result was not as good as with headphones. I am not sure why, but I blame analogue output stage. It is not just designed for that purpose.
Click to expand...

Two possibilities come to mind:

1) Your headphones are better than the rest of your audio system.

2) The headphone output of the Sansa is over driving the input of your audio system, which would be expected since the input and output impedances are likely unmatched.

🙂ensen.
 
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#17
OK, I guess I wanted something very complex. I never really tinkered with digital devices except CD transport based on Sony CD Rom. I do not want to reinvent anything. That was more a question is it possible to build something like that than steps how to do that. As I said before, I just want to redirect audio signal after DAC to better output stage. But, it looks more complex than I thought.
Anyway, thanks for replies !!!
 
#18
Followed advices I came to media players. I think this is what I was looking for:
Amazon.com: ASUS O!Play - TV HD Media Player (Black): Electronics
Since I am not familiar with sme terms please help to answer my questions:
- can this media player work without being connected to network
- it has anologue outputs. can I use the to connect the player to regular preamplifier (tube or solid state)
- what quality can be expected from analogue outputs
- it has SPDIF out. Can I connected it to non-oversampling DAC
As I mentioned before I want to use that type of player to play FLAC music files only.
Thanks for the help
 
#19
Yes it will work without connection to a network

Yes you can use the analog outputs to an amp
The analog output on most media players is average at best.
Yes you can connect the SPDIF to a NOS DAC 🙂

You will need to connect it to a monitor of some sort to see what you want to play.
If you want something that you dont need to connect to a monitor I suggest the
Popcorn Hour - Networked Media Jukebox

It is a great transport and has its own display. But it is $200 more than the O!Play, but you get what you pay for. 🙂
 
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