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[chrisr]

I'd like to play 5.1 multichannel DSD files over USB to 3 separate 2-channel DACs (DAC1 = L/R; DAC2 = C/Sub; DAC3 = SR/SL).  Is this possible with MediaCenter?

I assume I would need 3 separate USB cables from the PC to the 3 DACs?  And MC would need to be able to be set up to send the correct 2 channels to the correct DAC?

Is this a non-starter if the 3 DACs do not have an external clock input for synching?

The DACs would be Playback Designs Merlot DACs or MPS-8 DACs (no external clock inputs) using the USB ASIO drivers.

[ths61]

I'd like to play 5.1 multichannel DSD files over USB to 3 separate 2-channel DACs (DAC1 = L/R; DAC2 = C/Sub; DAC3 = SR/SL).  Is this possible with MediaCenter?

I assume I would need 3 separate USB cables from the PC to the 3 DACs?  And MC would need to be able to be set up to send the correct 2 channels to the correct DAC?

Is this a non-starter if the 3 DACs do not have an external clock input for synching?

The DACs would be Playback Designs Merlot DACs or MPS-8 DACs (no external clock inputs) using the USB ASIO drivers.

You would need something like this https://www.minidsp.com/products/usb-audio-interface/u-dio8 .

USB to the UDIO-8 and then AES/EBU to the 3 DACs.  You would be limited by the AES/EBU max sample rates.

If you have Apple, you maybe able to aggregate audio output devices.  https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202000

[TheShoe]

Why not just buy an exaSound e38 Mark II?   Granted it is quite expensive ($4K USD) but probably not as much as 3 separate high end 2 channel DACs and far less headache getting it all configured and working.

That is the only 8 channel DAC i know of that supports DSD natively as well.  Unless i am listening to Atmos or DTS:X, I use it for all my audio and video now.  Wonderful device.

[ThJsusLzrd]

I'd like to play 5.1 multichannel DSD files over USB to 3 separate 2-channel DACs (DAC1 = L/R; DAC2 = C/Sub; DAC3 = SR/SL).  Is this possible with MediaCenter?

I assume I would need 3 separate USB cables from the PC to the 3 DACs?  And MC would need to be able to be set up to send the correct 2 channels to the correct DAC?

Is this a non-starter if the 3 DACs do not have an external clock input for synching?

The DACs would be Playback Designs Merlot DACs or MPS-8 DACs (no external clock inputs) using the USB ASIO drivers.

Did you ever figure this out by chance?  It appears to be possible using Zones, but of course clock sync issues are a valid concern.

Given you can get 2 channel DACs with distortion far below audibility for <$100 it does seem very cost effective. 

[zoom+slomo]

Why not just buy an exaSound e38 Mark II?   Granted it is quite expensive ($4K USD) but probably not as much as 3 separate high end 2 channel DACs and far less headache getting it all configured and working.

That is the only 8 channel DAC i know of that supports DSD natively as well.  Unless i am listening to Atmos or DTS:X, I use it for all my audio and video now.  Wonderful device.

Subject: SPDIF vs. USB Sound Quality? The Exasound e68 or one like it would be a great choice for my 5.1 system, as I'd very often be using JRiver, VLC, and/or PowerDVD 19 for DVD and BD movies. But I'd also still want to play BD movies on my Oppo 95 and/or Pioneer LX500 players, which of course, have no USB outputs. Would anyone care to share any such sonic comparisons made between the e68 DAC's USB and coax/optical SPDIF inputs?

[eve]

Why not just buy an exaSound e38 Mark II?   Granted it is quite expensive ($4K USD) but probably not as much as 3 separate high end 2 channel DACs and far less headache getting it all configured and working.

That is the only 8 channel DAC i know of that supports DSD natively as well.  Unless i am listening to Atmos or DTS:X, I use it for all my audio and video now.  Wonderful device.

Topping Dm7. It's what MiniDSP's UDAC-8 should have been. Unlike MiniDSPs this is phenomenally competitive, sonically with proper stereo D/A.
DSD native support, out of the box linux compatibility, essentially the best D/A chip you can reasonably buy (ES9038), and no bells or whistles. Closest competitor is putting together your own DIYINHK unit.


EDIT: Necro. Sorry about that. The recommendation stands though.

[eve]

Subject: SPDIF vs. USB Sound Quality? The Exasound e68 or one like it would be a great choice for my 5.1 system, as I'd very often be using JRiver, VLC, and/or PowerDVD 19 for DVD and BD movies. But I'd also still want to play BD movies on my Oppo 95 and/or Pioneer LX500 players, which of course, have no USB outputs. Would anyone care to share any such sonic comparisons made between the e68 DAC's USB and coax/optical SPDIF inputs?

You won't get lossless, nor object based audio.
There ARE ways to use a high end USB D/A with external HDMI inputs but it's not cheap. It also drastically goes up in price if you want Object Based audio, it is possible.

If you're going down this road, putting it together yourself, I can't give you too many hints but BlackMagic is NOT what you want.