What optical out PC sound card, optical cable and what DAC could I use to
get sound out of pc to chipamp without hum?
Could I add a DAC to a Pass B1 preamp?
get sound out of pc to chipamp without hum?
Could I add a DAC to a Pass B1 preamp?
You could get S/PDIF out over a coax cable without hum. The sound card may not have a transformer on the output, and if the DAC doesn't, salvage a 1:1 pulse transformer from an old ethernet card.
Or, sort out the grounding issues and use a good sound card (or USB device) directly.
Cheap DACs? Whatever you can find. Digital surround receivers or processors; they've been obsoleted by HDMI, so you can good deals on them at secondhand sources (thrift stores, yard sales, pawn shops) or liquidators, and audio/video dealers that take trade-ins. "Obsolete" digital recorders like a Minidisc or DAT should function as ADC or DAC by pushing the right buttons. (Outboard ADC can be very useful for capturing analog sources like tape or records, if your computer sound device has S/PDIF in). Behringer SRC-2496 isn't as cheap now, but that provided DAC and ADC in one box.
Or, sort out the grounding issues and use a good sound card (or USB device) directly.
Cheap DACs? Whatever you can find. Digital surround receivers or processors; they've been obsoleted by HDMI, so you can good deals on them at secondhand sources (thrift stores, yard sales, pawn shops) or liquidators, and audio/video dealers that take trade-ins. "Obsolete" digital recorders like a Minidisc or DAT should function as ADC or DAC by pushing the right buttons. (Outboard ADC can be very useful for capturing analog sources like tape or records, if your computer sound device has S/PDIF in). Behringer SRC-2496 isn't as cheap now, but that provided DAC and ADC in one box.
check out Turtle Beach Audio Advantage Micro II USB Analog & Digital Audio Adapter at amazon for $25. I use the older Micro and it sounds great.
FWIW I have 3 PCs with integrated audio and attached audio amps (analog) and no trace of hum from any of them. I DID have some hum problems earlier due to the cable feeds into the TV tuners. I solved that by using galvanic isolators in the antenna feeds from RMS communications. Several years ago these were only $5 each.
RMS Communications Inc.
They got rid of all my hum problems caused by PCs on different branch circuits so connected via the power ground and also the RF feeds. Highly recommended if using antenna/cable connections.
G²
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