How to plug in a DAC! Easy for Beginners!

Sorry for the stupid question, but I have fiio ka3 dongle dac/amp and fiio Q5 dac/amp. Can I connect both of them together and use Q5 just as an amp?

Josh thanks for the way you present the information coherently and directly! I would like to know if you could recommend or suggest some external/seperate DAC only options to connect to my Pioneer AVR LX505 that can improve the sound quality and volume when using headphones or IEM's - I have an ADSL AD18 connected to my PC and a Hidizs S9 Pro that I use with my phone and laptop so no problems there - just focusing om the AVR , would be nice to have a DAC with some connection choices. Is this even doable or worth it?

I'm new to this game and Im considering a DAC to connect to my computer, I have a paid of Edifier computer speakers that come with a SUB and also allows be to play different outputs such as Bluetooth on the speakers. Do I really need an amp or will connecting the computer to the DAC then to the speakers be enough for sound improvement?

Just purchased my first DAC this evening. Pro-Ject DAC Box S2+.

Can u use this for an iPad

So much time padding in this video it's absurd. Starts off with nearly 30 second b-roll of making coffee for no reason. Goes on tangents explaining random terminology and doing q&a's about topics barely related. Then finally in the last minute it's explained how to plug a dac in.

Thank You so much, very helpful ! 🙏👍😍

I'm going nuts trying to hook up my new schiit modius E to my vintage Sansui G 9000 receiver. I'm using a XDP-300R PIONEER DIGITAL AUDIO PLAYER THAT I USE TO STREAM MY MUSIC, THANK YOU 👍or did I purchase the wrong Dac 😕

I'm new to all this trying to learn. I have a pair of Razer Nommo Pro speakers. They are like the Rolls Royce of the Razer brand as far as speakers go. I also want to purchase a pair of Bluetooth Focal Bathys. I know the headphones already have a DAC inside them. Do I need a DAC/amp for the speakers sake? Can I connect the BT headphones to a BT compatible DAC/amp so everything is connected into one place. If so, any suggestions? I currently have a GSX 1000 and used to have pair of Focal Celestees, but discovered I'm just not a wired guy. Now I'm a bit confused on what to do. I wanna replace the GSX 1000 as well because I purchased it used and there is a weird problem with it where it randomly makes a loud 'thump' sound out of nowhere. The same sound you get when saving settings on it, but in this case it just randomly goes off out of nowhere and scares the shit out of me. I do like have the volume wheel right in front of me though from the GSX 1000. So what equipment would you get if you were in my shoes? Thanks.

Posts a vid for “beginners” uses an a90/d90 & doesn’t post the xlr cable he used in the damn vid. I like Joshuas vids but this one was kinda silly. Most beginners aren’t using balanced anyway

Would be nice to hear how to hook up 2 pcs and usb mic :)

How to plug in a DAC? Really!

Apologies in advance in the event that this question has been answered already.... Presently I have the audio out from my computer going directly into my amplifier, that powers my speakers. What ....it any...are the benefits going through a DAC to my amplifier ? Thank you

Great video thanks

How do I use this with my cable box? My wireless headphones will no longer work connected directly to my TV since Optimum put in a new cable box.

great video! especially for a beginner like me who is wondering if I needed a DAC. I currently have a pc setup and a budget monitor speaker (MR4). Do I really need one?

I ordered one of these today and I intend to connect it to a hifi system with a preamp and separate amplifier. Do I connect it to the pre-amp or amp? My intention is to use it to connect Bluetooth headphones.
Thanks.

I have been wondering if I need a dedicated DAC. This video answered some of my questions about how to hook one up - that's great. However I am still unsure about the need. I use Spotify or MP3s from my PC. I am sure all motherboards have analog sound out. Mine is a ROG Strix Z490-E, from which I use the analog out to a NAD D 3020 amp. (which has a Cirrus Logic 8-channel IC (don't know what that means in terms of quality)) The motherboard has a CODEC S1220A and a SABRE9023P or SABRE9018Q2C DAC - not sure which, it is hard to get info. Should I expect a great improvement if I use the digital out instead of the onboard DAC?
Okay, now for the hard part: I also have a Pioneer SC-99 hooked up to my PC via the HDMI from my 3090 graphics card. Is the Spotify file/stream converted from their digital format to an HDMI format, then the Pioneer DAC converts that? The SC-99 has a SABRE32 Ultra DAC ES9016S. Does it matter if the signal comes from USB or HDMI? Related: do all DACs convert all digital file formats? What happens when a new file format comes out? Will a software update handle it or do you need a new chip? Last question - if I go digital out, will I lose volume control on the PC? If digital is just the file being transferred, how could volume information be passed to the external DAC? Thanks for your answers.

First 30 seconds got me!!

Do most USB inputs allow for full res? I saw on a few models the USB can not do as high of a bit / sample rate as optical. Is that the norm. I want to get an RME DAC and plug my MacBook Pro into the USB. Do you know if I can get all the sampling rates like the optical inputs?

going to need a bigger outlet if i want an amp also, ofr my pc of course

I had a laptop that had an optical out years ago. It was a duel purpose 3.5mm that had an optical out.

I LOVE THE INTRO HAHA

Please tell me does the rotel a11' Tribute AMP have a Connection for a DAC I do not know how to plug 1 into A AMP Where the connection should go & if it has a connection I am autism so I need a step by step walk through Sorry I know I am Asking

TRS or 6.35mm Jack is technically compatible and IS technically XLR just in another form. TRS'es come in Balanced, Unbalanced and Mono variants, so just make sure that if you have a DAC with TRS and AMP with XLR, that you get proper cables, f.e. DAC -> AMP = Balanced TRS (3 contacts) -> MALE XLR.

I'm currently running this "mixed" setup, because I have TRS Dac, TRS Monitors, but an XLR subwoofer. So I had to cash out a bit and get 4 cables. TRS -> XLR(M) 2x and XLR(F) -> TRS 2x (both balanced, 3 pins per cable)

Looking to hook up a sub to a dac, specifically the e70. Wondering how best to do this? No separate amp, powered speakers. Nothing with a sub out.

Let's say you want to listen from your CDs and want to plug in an analog CD player into an amp/DAC combination like the dx3 pro plus. Would that be possible via the coax input?

I ride a real Triumph

Can it be run through a tape loop, on a vintage receiver?

i use a Chemex. Makes great coffee.

One of the best explanation of what a DAC is and what it's used for

My first video on the subject, Thank you very much 😊

Can you connect the dac to a preamp using Aes/ebu?

All I need is more amperage (power) for my new Senneiser's and Hifiman Sundara's. My "DAC" is my a/v receiver which I will be using to listen to music, movies, and play games. My a/v receiver does not have a pre-amp out but it does have optical out's. Will an Amp here work for me?

As I am somewhat more knowledgeable in AVR/Home Theater, I want to Delve into Home Stereo and utilizing a Turntable, as well.
In terms of incorporating a pre-amp, where would it be introduced in this line-up? Before the DAC and before the Amp?

The objective answer to the question of do any of the inputs sound better is no. The input to a dac is ones and zeroes. The stability and strength of the signal doesn’t change how the ones are interpreted.
Output on the other hand does actually matter. An analog signal is minutely sensitive to any signal degradation. Maintaining signal strength and integrity, particularly shielding it from interference are all valid reasons to pay for more expensive cables. I’m happy with my $20 cables but there is a real potential for benefit when buying more expensive ones.

I'm a total noob with this as I'm starting to dive deeper into things but I'm curious that when the sound get's converted from digital to analog and you're hearing it that way once you set it up right.... I'm curious how you would go about getting that analog signal back into your DAW so when you bounce your song it's all analog?

ao uh, what about after I plug in the dac? XD I'm trying to set up a 5.1 surround from my computer but I have no clue what I'm doing...

Is that a Peter McKinnon intro?

man that was a good video i have an topping d30and a30 and this is my first time and i didnt know what to do till now thx bud
👍

I'm officially a DAC-head!

Still not clear, so i have bought 2 stereo monitors, 1 mic (usb), and 1 headset. I would like to switch between stereo speakers and headset. So i need a good DAC and Amplifier yes?

Pluggong in a DAC also involves using a "source": it can be a computer, a cellphone with the necessary apps or a streamer. Explaing streamers from cheap and cheerful to more sophisticated ones is not as frecuently found in a noob accesible format. And not all streamers support all streaming services. (I personally use a repurposed phone or tablet). Some people spend many $ on a streamer. Explaining why or why not to invest in this is a missing piece of input for a noobie.

Solid and thorough explanation. Great examples of high and low end products. Just what a beginner needs.

Hey, you're into bikes?!

excellent! One thing I don't think you mentioned- if you use a DAC with your computer the sound card in the computer (if you have one) will be bypassed. If it's a cheap sound card then no worries, it it's an expensive sound card then something to think about. Am I right? 🙂