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What is the best method for connecting computer to Proceed CDP?


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I stumbled across this forumn a few weeks ago and thought someone could offer some suggestions. I can't believe it, but I actually would like to play music from my Gateway Vista computer on my stereo. I would like to use the D/A in my Proceed CDP. I copied the following description of the two inputs from the Proceed's owner manual.

 

I have been looking at USB interfaces. The links for a few of them are shown below. Can anyone suggest a proven method that is CD quality.

 

Following is a description of the two digital inputs to my CD player.

EIAJ DIGITAL INPUT

This input accepts digital audio conforming to the EIAJ optical (sometimes

called “Toslink”) digital interface standard from the EIAJ digital output of a

digital FM tuner, compact disc player, laserdisc player, or digital audio recorder.

 

S/PDIF (RCA) DIGITAL INPUT

This input accepts digital audio conforming to the 75? S/PDIF digital interface

standard (via a cable equipped with RCA-type connectors) from the

digital output of a digital FM tuner, compact disc player, laserdisc player, or

digital audio recorder.

 

Here is what I was looking at.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/UA1EX/

 

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Transit/

 

http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHUCA202

 

http://www.edirol.net/products/en/UA-1D/

 

http://www.esi-audio.com/products/u24xl/

 

http://www.trendsaudio.com/EN/Product/USB_Audio_desc.htm

 

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance for any and all help.

 

 

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Thanks for the reply.

 

It appears that I should be able to connect using wires for very little money $30 to$100.

 

As far as being hooked on Toslink or S/PDIF, these are the only two digital inputs that are on my CD player.

 

I would like to use my Proceed CDP, as least to get started.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I think this type of solution would work better than a USB type of converter.

 

http://www.turtlebeach.com/products/riviera/home.aspx

 

http://www.turtlebeach.com/products/mtgoddl/home.aspx

 

USB can give you stellar performance, but it must be implemented correctly like in Wavelength Audio, Empirical Audio, and Benchmark products. For you situation you can use one of the cards above and use S/PDIF from the card to your CD player.

 

If you want a cheaper USB solution than the above mentioned USB products you can try the E-MU 404 USB. Many people like it, but I have never used it. A little more expensive than one of the cards.

 

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/EMu-0404-USB-2.0-Recording-Interface?sku=242516

 

Let me know what you think.

 

Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems AudiophileStyleStickerWhite2.0.png AudiophileStyleStickerWhite7.1.4.png

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The less expensive USB type converters are not real popular. I think most of them only offer analog output which won't work for your situation. But, if you want to spend around $1,000 you can get a stellar USB to S/PDIF box from Empirical Audio. I don't think you want to got that route based on our previous conversation. You need digital out into your CD player to use the DAC in your CDP. The cards I suggested offer high quality digital output. I won't say bit perfect output because your using Vista. Not a knock on Vista, just a fact right now.

 

I'm just not thrilled with the low cost USB to S/PDIF or Toslink options your considering.

 

Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems AudiophileStyleStickerWhite2.0.png AudiophileStyleStickerWhite7.1.4.png

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Chris

 

I agree with you that I need digital out to use the DAC in my CDP, but all of the converters that I listed provide digital out, some provide only digital out. This is all new to me, and I am probably missing something, but let's look at one example and decide why this is not a good choice.

 

Just for example, http://www.edirol.net/products/en/UA-1D/

 

The UA1D provides only digital out that would connect to my CDP. My thinking is that all of the money is spent on just converting one form of digital into another form of digital. Well, plus the cost of the cable and case, but no A/D converters, knobs, software etc. Your the expert, but what is the down side to this?

 

 

 

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Well Arizona, if this is going to be your leap into PC audio through your stereo then the UA-1D USB Audio Capture should provide that functionality. I can't say that I'll go along with your reasoning about where the money is spent when making the product. Sometimes I use that same reasoning, but not in this specific situation. Also, be very careful about any of the devices that say they will do 24/96. Most USB devices that are capable of this are much more expensive. In fact we have a thread started under the DAC forum topic that lists these. Most likely the cheaper devices will certainly play 24/96 music, but downsample it to 16/44.1 or 16/48. If your music is only 16/44.1 then you're just fine.

 

You know more than anyone what you'll be happy with. From an audiophile perspective and considering this scenario only, I would go with one of the cards for between $30 - $60. Who knows you could end up really liking any of these options and calling it a day. Or, you could want better sound and move up to something else. Of course there is always the file format, bit rate, and sample rate of your music to discuss as well.

 

Anyway, I hope this helps a little. Let me know what your thinking or what you end up going with. There are tons of people in the same situation that will appreciate reading this whole thread to help them make a decision.

 

Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems AudiophileStyleStickerWhite2.0.png AudiophileStyleStickerWhite7.1.4.png

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  • 4 weeks later...

Hi. I have a couple of comments to make but they are more in the nature of contextual issues than technical advice. The Proceed CDP was a very good sounding CD player for the money. We sold them for years. Like their big brother Levinson CD players, they offered the fairly unusual feature of digital inputs rather than just digital outs (why would a $6,000 Levinson CD player need to have digital outputs - on the other hand the ability to use the DAC with another digital source makes perfect sense. I wish it was more common). Things have changed dramatically in terms of the manufacturer of your CD player. Proceed was killed off as a product line about a year before Harmon Intl. came in and shut down Levinson for over a year. I bought a 6K surround processor from them during this transition for $1200 bucks. A great deal until you factored in the 75% failure rate we experienced.

 

My point is that you should weigh your investment against the possbility that something might go wrong with the player. Levinson/Proceed no longer does their own repair. They use three contractors in different geographic locations. Our experience with them has not been good. Many of the products are no longer supported. You have to pay to have them give you an estimate. We were proud to be a Levinson dealer for many years and were even their dealer of the year eight years ago. That has changed dramatically. For the record, Mark Levinson no longer manufactures their own products. They contract it out.

 

If your project is not dependent on the assumption that the PMDT will always be available, this will not affect your decision. If it is critical, think long and hard about it. Some of our Proceed stuff is fixed at a fairly reasonable cost. Others go in the dumpster.

 

It is a shame. A couple of weeks ago, Harmon's stock dropped over thirty percent in one day. They were to be purchased by Goldman Sachs mid year, but after some time with the books, my assumption here, Goldman withdrew their offer. It was for 8 billion, by the way. Harmon's stock price is down from their one year high by over 60%. I don't mean to be a doom and gloom guy, but want you to make an informed decision about the viability of counting on the Proceed's continued life. The laser/ drawer assembly commonly has problems after about five or six years on average. This is our personal experience, I do not represent that as an established fact.

 

We have experienced a huge amount of grief over these products and it came close to taking us under. I don't know what the correct course of action is for you, but thought it might be useful to be aware of the background.

 

Best wishes

 

Audio Research DAC8, Mac mini w/8g ram, SSD, Amarra full version, Audio Research REF 5SE Preamp, Sutherland Phd, Ayre V-5, Vandersteen 5A\'s, Audioquest Wild and Redwood cabling, VPI Classic 3 w/Dynavector XX2MkII

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