I am using a HP Pavilion PC with an integrated audio codec (IDT 92HD65C) for listening to music and watching movies/videos.

I was using an Edifier R401 powered 2.1 speaker system, but I found the sonic presentation lacking clarity and detail.

Recently I replaced the Edifier with the Yamaha DSP-A3090 AV amplifier and TDL RTL2 reflex transmission line speakers.

These are audio gear left over from the 1990s when I was an avid AV enthusiast.

What a difference that made. Really 'night and day'.

Surprisingly, the integrated audio codec did a pretty good job. It can decode 24bit/192kHz audio files (foobar2000 with wasapi plugin).

Unfortunately the PC does not have a digital out, so I can't use the DAC in the Yamaha amplifier to hear the sonic difference.

Will an external USB DAC improve sound quality in my present PC audio setup?

The Yamaha DSP-A3090 amplifier


The TDL RTL2 reflex transmission line speakers


This post has been edited by raynman: Feb 21 2017, 09:01 AM

For me, stereo output takes precedence over multi-channel.

I can't afford a Chord Mojo.

Great idea!

Never thought of that.

Where can I get it?

It is just to test out the DAC in my Yamaha amp.

No way I will spend this kind of money.

Is there an external USB DAC with optical or coaxial digital out that I can use to connect to my Yamaha amplifier's digital input?

I also want to know how my Yamaha DSP-A3090 DAC sounds like.

Yes, my Yamaha amp has both coaxial and optical inputs.



But my PC does not have a digital out.

You are absolutely right.

I was missing the bass from the puny Edifier R401 speaker system, even though it has a separate subwoofer.

TDL speakers are famous for tight bass and very low bass extension.

I found that I didn't need a separate subwoofer for my AV system when I was using the TDL speakers.

I am getting the 'feel' of the bass now



From wiki.....

A transmission line loudspeaker is a loudspeaker enclosure design (topology) that uses an acoustic transmission line within the cabinet, compared to the simpler enclosures used by sealed (closed) or ported (bass reflex) designs. Instead of reverberating in a fairly simple damped enclosure, sound from the back of the bass speaker is directed into a long (generally folded) damped pathway within the speaker enclosure, which allows far greater control and use of speaker energy, and the resulting sound.

Inside a transmission line (TL) loudspeaker, is a (usually folded) pathway into which the sound is directed. The pathway is often covered with varying types and depths of absorbent material, and it may vary in size or taper, and may be open or closed at its far end. Used correctly, such a design ensures that undesired resonances and energies, which would otherwise cause undesirable auditory effects, are instead selectively absorbed or reduced ("damped") due to the effects of the duct, or alternatively only emerge from the open end in phase with the sound radiated from the front of the driver, enhancing the output level ("sensitivity") at low frequencies. The transmission line acts as an acoustic waveguide, and the padding both reduces reflection and resonance, and also slows the speed of sound within the cabinet to allow for better tuning.

Transmission line loudspeakers designs are more complex to implement, making mass production difficult, but their advantages have led to acclaim for a number of manufacturers such as IMF, TDL, PMC, KVART & BØLGE[2] and the like. As a rule, transmission line speakers tend to have exceptionally high fidelity low frequency response far below that of a typical speaker or subwoofer, reaching into the infrasonic range (British company TDL's studio monitor range from the 1990s quoted their frequency responses as starting from as low as 17 Hz depending upon model with a sensitivity of 87 dB for 1 W @ 1 metre), without the need for a separate enclosure or driver.

The difference between the RM2,500 TDL RTL2 speakers and the RM149 Edifier R401 speaker system is night and day.

The Yamaha DSP-A3090 AV amp cost me RM4,600.

Those were 1990s prices.

A total value of RM7,100 premium audio gear replaced the RM149 Edifier system. It better be night and day.

I think the difference between an external USB DAC and my integrated audio codec is 11am and 12 noon.

A full-blown USB DAC with SPDIF coaxial out is much cheaper than your USB-to-SPDIF converter.

The X-HDA1 PCM/DSD DAC is available from AliExpress for only USD76.

I will most probably buy this.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/X-HDA1-SA92...2698979038.html

A little bit worry, but no risk no gain.

Yeah, I think I better get something that is available locally with warranty. No need state-of-the-art.

I already got one DSD album - Pink Floyd's Animals.

To playback DSD audio files, we need to install a foobar2000 DSDIFF Decoder plugin.

Otherwise it won't recognize the DFF file format.

The DAC on the integrated audio codec (IDT 92HD65C) on the motherboard.

Like the Realtek top-of-the-line ALC1150 audio codec, the IDT 92HD65C can decode 24bit/192kHz without a breaking a sweat.

It also has dual capless headphone amplifiers.

I am really surprised that onboard audio has come this far.

That's what I thought too.

Thanks for the tip.

Still got slight difference mah.... noon is slightly hotter and brighter.

penmarker, do you think I should buy the X-HDA1?

Does the internal components look legit?

I have no idea.




This post has been edited by raynman: Feb 22 2017, 10:01 AM

Thanks for your feedback.

I will KIV this DAC as a potential buy.

I am in no rush. Still scouting for other good buys as well.

Meanwhile, I am enjoying the 11am performance.

Thanks for the offer man, but I would need an SPDIF digital out to test out my Yamaha DAC.