Use external DAC with C658
AnsweredHi all,
Is it possible to use an external DAC with the C658 (since it doesn't have a DAC USB input) ?
I suppose you can connect the external DAC to the C658 via the line inputs, correct ? See page 7, input 6 on https://nadelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/C658_eng_OM_v05.pdf.
Best regards,
Wim
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Official comment
Sorry no you cannot connect an external DAC as there is no digital output and the C658 is already a DAC with the facility of inputs, so just analogue out to a power amplifier.
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Hi Tony, that was exactly my point.
Using an external DAC is technically possible, yet pointless. The OP wants USB input, I suggested two ways to have that with the C658 being the primary DAC.
By the way, not sure why NAD is so reluctant at providing USB input. That gave me pause on the 3020V2 and M10. USB input is not so important these days with the proliferation of streamers, but still handy to have.
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Thanks for your feedback. Are the line inputs digital inputs ?
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Line inputs which it has are analogue in addition to the digital inputs coaxial / optical
Just re-read your original post and yes you could put an external DAC on one on the analogue inputs but why bother? Any external equipment should be connected directly to the NAD via either digital (preferred) or analogue connections.
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https://chordelectronics.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Qutest-User-Manual-English.pdf Can't the RCA analog output of a Chord Qutest be connected ? Or is the DAC of the C658 always used... ?
I'm just trying to understand how it works ;-)...
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You can do that and use the external USB DAC as an analog source.
However, if what you want is a USB DAC, you can either check with NAD to see if you can add USB input via an MDC module, or use a USB-to-SPDIF converter.
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Hi Ken - please see the 'Offical Answer' - the NAD C658 is designed to be your primary DAC.
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USB MDC module for the 658 and others.
https://nadelectronics.com/nad-launches-new-mdc-upgrade-module-mdc-usb-dsd/
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It is NOT pointless to provide digital out on C658. I, at least some others based on a simple google search, want to listen to my Bluesound streams on my own DAC the same way that BlueSound's own products (Vault 2i, Node) enable this by providing digital audio out. Why not on the NAD C658? In fact I think BlueSound should enforce the requirement for digital out on all products it licenses its streaming technology to.
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This would be a NAD decision and best directed at them rather than the Bluesound community forum.
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