0

Toslink input: DAC+DSP vs. DAC2 HD with DSP add-on board, what am I missing?

msbeintema

March 08, 2023 16:53

None

Follow

Hello, I am looking for a solution to passthrough the sound of my tv with a Toslink cable through the RPi4 to my analog amp+passive speakers. I now own a Dac+ Pro on top of the RPi4, which does not have a Toslink input. So I would have to buy a new Hifiberry board, which is fine.

Apparently, my only option from Hifiberry is the Dac+DSP because this has a Toslink input. However, the Dac2 HD offers better quality and would be the logical upgrade to my Dac+ Pro, but the compatible DSP add-on board does not offer a Toslink-input. It only has an extension header with two S/PDIF pins which is not the solution to my use case.

What am I missing? Why am I forced to buy the lesser quality setup when wanting a Toslink input and why did Hifiberry make this choice? Would a Dac2 HD+DSP (integrated), including  Toslink input, be some kind of overkill?

• Facebook
• Twitter
• LinkedIn

4 comments

• 0
  
  HiFiBerry team March 08, 2023 17:05

  Just have a look at the DAC2 HD and you'll see that there simply isn't space for a TOSLink input. It would also add costs for all the users that don't need it. The DAC2 HD is designed for music playback from the Pi, not from external sources (same for the DAC2 Pro).

  Also the DSP is an add-on board. Fr a full featured SPDIF input and output a different hardware design is needed as we do it with the DAC+ DSP and the Beocreate. 

• 0
  
  msbeintema March 08, 2023 17:06

  Ok, thanks, I will also look into the Beocreate. I was hoping to be able to stick to just one Pi in my media set.

• 0
  
  Mike August 04, 2023 20:48

  @HifiBerry Team. Maybe it is the same cas but I want to be sure. My Stereosystemen does only have analog inputs. As I still have some CDs I am looking for a solution. I am about to have the bundle with the DAC2 HD (for Streaming) can this be combined with the I/o board to have a CD player as input and use the DAC2 HD as output. I expect the DAC2 had to be better the. The one in an old CD Player.

• 0
  
  HiFiBerry team August 05, 2023 04:40

  Yes, same as above. There is no input for external sources on the DAC2HD.I recommend to rip your CDs and play these files directly on the Pi.