DAC capability?

[dysonapr]

Been trying to find some info on the DAC capability for the "Radio". Anyone know if it supports 24-bit files, and up to how many Khz?

[toby10]

The Radio's DAC is a Texas Instruments TLV320AIC3104
Specs say it does do 24bit

Specs:
http://focus.ti.com/docs/prod/folder...20aic3104.html

[verycd]

The Radio's DAC is a Texas Instruments TLV320AIC3104
Specs say it does do 24bit

Specs:
http://focus.ti.com/docs/prod/folder...20aic3104.html

I read the Specs. The Radio's DAC actually has

Six Audio Output Drivers
Stereo Fully Differential or Single-Ended Headphone Drivers
Fully Differential Stereo Line Outputs

SO the radio can have "line outputs" theoretically but somehow the company decided not to make it available on the device.... Am I right?


Updated
The headphone of the Radio seems to use this DAC if it is identical with the Boom in everything expect the speakers.

http://www.wolfsonmicro.com/products/dacs/WM8501/

It has better performance than the DAC for the internal speaker?

[Phil Leigh]

Been trying to find some info on the DAC capability for the "Radio". Anyone know if it supports 24-bit files, and up to how many Khz?

ALL SB devices in the last 6 years are 24-bit.


The radio is max 48kHz, as is the Receiver and Boom and SB3. Touch and TP are 96 kHz.

[SuperQ]

Been trying to find some info on the DAC capability for the "Radio". Anyone know if it supports 24-bit files, and up to how many Khz?

It doesn't really matter because squeezebox server will automatically downsample files to the maximum supported by each player.

[verycd]

It doesn't really matter because squeezebox server will automatically downsample files to the maximum supported by each player.

I am thinking to get an HK reveriver 3390 or 3490. The 3490 has digital inputs and the DAC in it is "an AKM, AK-4384 DAC which offers a 24 bit 192Khz setup design. It has a Cirrus Logic CS 48560 DSP". If the SB server automatically down-sample files, is there a point to get the 3490 with a supposedly better DAC?

I am not an audiophile at all. Just trying to make an informed decision and learn something :-)

Another question. Some say all amplifiers will colorize the "raw source" so it is always better to use line level for output. Others say if one keeps the headphone jack volume (like on SB radio) at about 2/3, there is actually no distortion or noise introduced. Who is right? I am thinking if, as some said, the raw signal is a steady signal at 1-1.5 volts, does that mean at certain volume level (maybe 2/3 or whatever) the internal amplifier is in fact not working therefore no distortion/colorization/noise is let into the external amp of a receiver? Or the internal amplifier is working but it introduces - at certain volume - the same noise as the line-level at steady 1-1.5 volt?

[Soulkeeper]

The Squeezebox Radio doesn't have a digital output, so you can't connect it to an external DAC (in any meaningful way). If you want to use the Radio for a digital transport, you'll have to use its analog output, and the HK's analog inputs.

If you use a Squeezebox Touch, on the other hand, you can choose between its digital output and its analog one, but that's a different scenario.

[verycd]

The Squeezebox Radio doesn't have a digital output, so you can't connect it to an external DAC (in any meaningful way).

I forgot to mention I was thinking to get an add-on SB receiver for the digital...but I am not sure if it is necessary as music sources on internet radio are not of high quality to start with.

[Phil Leigh]

I forgot to mention I was thinking to get an add-on SB receiver for the digital...but I am not sure if it is necessary as music sources on internet radio are not of high quality to start with.

Correct. Internet radio is not a high quality source unfortunately. The internal DAC of a Duet / Touch is completely suitable for Internet radio replay.

[Phil Leigh]

I am thinking to get an HK reveriver 3390 or 3490. The 3490 has digital inputs and the DAC in it is "an AKM, AK-4384 DAC which offers a 24 bit 192Khz setup design. It has a Cirrus Logic CS 48560 DSP". If the SB server automatically down-sample files, is there a point to get the 3490 with a supposedly better DAC?

I am not an audiophile at all. Just trying to make an informed decision and learn something :-)

Another question. Some say all amplifiers will colorize the "raw source" so it is always better to use line level for output. Others say if one keeps the headphone jack volume (like on SB radio) at about 2/3, there is actually no distortion or noise introduced. Who is right? I am thinking if, as some said, the raw signal is a steady signal at 1-1.5 volts, does that mean at certain volume level (maybe 2/3 or whatever) the internal amplifier is in fact not working therefore no distortion/colorization/noise is let into the external amp of a receiver? Or the internal amplifier is working but it introduces - at certain volume - the same noise as the line-level at steady 1-1.5 volt?

The internal amplifier is always working. There will always be some noise/distortion from ANY gain stage / amplifier.

The radio only has a headphone output. It is meant to be used as a standalone device, not to be connected to a bigger system. For that you need the Duet (or preferably a Touch)...