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[Barbapapa]

I'm building a workstation using a server MB that doesn't have any audio provisions or SPDIF. It's an Asrock H87WS-DL http://www.asrockrack.com/general/productdetail.asp?Model=H87WS-DL
I need to send a digital signal to my Onkyo TX-NR900.

Did I make a mistake in not choosing the MB that has SPDIF and audio? I could exchange it for one that does or is there a better solution anyway?

The version with the audio is H87WSA-DLhttp://www.asrockrack.com/general/productdetail.asp?Model=H87WSA-DL

My goal is high quality stereo music only, no multi stuff for movies etc.

[astromo]

So this is the beast you've got for driving your audio, huh?
http://www.intl.onkyo.com/downloads/product_info/pdf/tx-nr900_leaflet.pdf

You could pick up a USB DAC as one option but if you can exchange the server MoBo for a board with SPDIF out, then that would cut out the middleman. I'm a minimalist myself (Occam's razor has worked pretty well for me so far). I'm sure there are others out there with sharper minds that might see a sensible and cost effective work around. I'm just a simple user.

For my set up, digital audio/video travels out of the MoBo via HDMI and into my amp. The amp then splits the audio and feeds it into the amp/DAC and passes the video through and on to the monitor / TV. Minimal handling and the audio stays in the digital domain for pre-amp and amp'ing. Ehhh, who cares? It's the sound that matters and works for me.

All the best with getting your rig set up to pump your fave tunes.

[Barbapapa]

So this is the beast you've got for driving your audio, huh?
http://www.intl.onkyo.com/downloads/product_info/pdf/tx-nr900_leaflet.pdf

Yes, all that for enjoying my music. I assume the Onkyo's DAC is good and the thing to do is deliver digital signal to it.

Using SPDIF on a MB would be simple but I have this nagging feeling that the 'middleman' of a USB converter might have some kind of audio advantage I'm too ignorant to understand.

Thank you!

[jmone]

I'd get a DAC (though I'm not the right person to advise "which" DAC but there are a few threads on this board) as it could be more flexible than SPDIF pending the number of channels/format you may want.  Like all technologies, I'm sure the quality of DACs have improved over the years (and the price come down) compared to the Onkyo

[astromo]

I'd get a DAC (though I'm not the right person to advise "which" DAC but there are a few threads on this board) as it could be more flexible than SPDIF pending the number of channels/format you may want.  Like all technologies, I'm sure the quality of DACs have improved over the years (and the price come down) compared to the Onkyo

Good point - S/PDIF is a little dated and has its shortcomings:
http://en.wikipedia.org/?title=S/PDIF#Hardware_specifications
http://en.wikipedia.org/?title=S/PDIF#Limitations
but according to this:

My goal is high quality stereo music only, no multi stuff for movies etc.

2 channels is fine, so S/PDIF is acceptable on that score.

Plenty of ways to skin the cat.

[jmone]

Good point

[Barbapapa]

I'm surprised to hear SPDIF is lacking, is it the clocking that's a concern?
In my case I'd use something like an M2Tech Hiface which I assume handles clocking.

BTW, there are no MBs like mine but with SPDIF in stock after all.

[jmone]

It is only "lacking" in that it can only carry up to 2ch of PCM, or DTS/DD.  So no 5.1 PCM, DTS-HD, Tru-HD etc etc.

[mojave]

You can use a USB to SPDIF converter. Asus makes one that is $30 after the mail in rebate at newegg. The prices on a USB converters range from about $30 to $5000!

Bel Canto Design is just down (or up  ) the street from JRiver in Minneapolis. They carry USB to SPDIF converters for the audiophile with the cheapest being the MLink which you can find for $188.

There are lots of other ones including pro audio audio devices that also have SPDIF output.

[Barbapapa]

It is only "lacking" in that it can only carry up to 2ch of PCM, or DTS/DD.  So no 5.1 PCM, DTS-HD, Tru-HD etc etc.

That must explain why audiophiles seem to use USB-SPDIF converters a lot.

[Barbapapa]

Bel Canto Design is just down (or up  ) the street from JRiver in Minneapolis. They carry USB to SPDIF converters for the audiophile with the cheapest being the MLink which you can find for $188.

Thanks for that. It's comparable to the m2tech in price, not being a one piece thing poking out of a USB port is nice.

[astromo]

Interest piqued, I found this:
http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/2013/07/when-should-you-use-an-external-usb-spdif-converter/
Reads reasonably to me. Maybe it will be of some help.

[Zhillsguy]

My goal is high quality stereo music only, no multi stuff for movies etc.

Why not a Behringer UCA202 with toslink? No drivers needed, plug and play.....

http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-UCA202-Audio-Interface/dp/B000KW2YEI/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1390702649&sr=1-1&keywords=behringer+uca202+usb

Or the HiFimeDIY Sabre USB DAC, also no drivers needed.....

http://us.hifimediy.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=50&tracking=5113890266baa

[Barbapapa]

Some usb dacs like the EMU 0404 are said to have great sound qualities but are plaqued by driver issues that really ruins what could be a great product. The usb interface seems like a crap shoot, at least with that one.

Does a usb port used as an audio out need all the conductors or could some of them be cut for a more reliable output to the external converter?

[pcstockton]

grab a Musical Fidelity VLink-192 while they last!

-Patrick

[Barbapapa]

grab a Musical Fidelity VLink-192 while they last!

-Patrick

That seems like a good unit that's really underpriced from it's initial retail price for some reason. Thank you.

Let me answer my own silly question from 2 posts up: USB uses back and forth communication so no elimination unused connectors is going to help . Maybe using usb devices that aren't well known to cause conflicts might be a better approach.

[Barbapapa]

I've been listening with my new VLink-192 and am happy. I now have a stable 'puter with sound being handled by usb and the music sounds great!

[pcstockton]

Glad you like it.  It's a great little box.