Hi

Due to problems with my Virgin Media, I have now had an ageing Pace Cable TV box replaced by a shiny new Samsung one. Even through my modest and old JVC CRT TV, I would say the sound and picture quality are slightly better.

In any case, the real point of this post is that this box now has an optical digital output and I was thinking about feeding this via an external DAC into my 202 mainly so that I could enjoy digital radio through my hi-fi.

Although I know I could get more from my FM set-up - I'm sure a better aerial would improve things for example - my Creek CAS3040 tuner is now 25 years old and whilst it has done brilliantly with zero attention I think it's showing signs of age and may not last much longer. Also I would like better quality access to some of the new digital stations but don't want to fork out for a DAB tuner when I'm led to believe the quality is worse than cable/satellite/Freeview services in any case.

My knowledge on such matters is a bit limited so, my questions to learned Forum members are,

Is this a worthwhile venture?

Can anyone recommend a good but relatively inexpensive DAC which I can use with the optical output of the VBox?

How much would I need to realistically spend?

Many thanks for your kind attention :-)

Steeve

If it has phono's out on it i would use them into the din in the back of your 202.
Thats how i use my Freeview and Sat box.
Via a 2 Phono to Din lead.
Sound great.

Hi Munch

Unfortunately, and somewhat strangly I'll admit, it doesn't! It only has 2 SCART sockets (both of which are used to connect to TV and VCR) and this digital optical out.

Good to know the quality can be good though.

Steeve

You can get a scart to scart with a lead coming of it with 2 phonos on for sound.
I have one some where you can have it if you want free.
Its of no use to me.
I will test it on my Freeview box with two female to female phono adaptors if you want it.
Just let me know.

Thanks Munch, that's very kind - I may take you up on it but don't worry just yet. One complication that I didn't mention is that there is about 7 metres (in cabling terms) between the VBox and the 202! So I will need a long interconnect whether it is Phono to DIN or my original idea of digital interconnect to a DAC.

Steeve

I would just get a cheap freeveiw box with phonos and put it near your kit and run a length of coax.

Further complication - No Freeview - as yet! I live in a valley - actually more accurately a floodplain - which has its own fill-in local low-power transmitter for analogue TV and FM. But we can't get a Freeview signal although other parts of Northampton can.

Incidentally today is, sort of, the 10th anniversary of the Northampton floods - not to the date but it was Easter Weekend 1998. Luckily I wasn't there then!

Steeve

OK... I have a V+ box, and have just doublechecked the connections.

To one side of the 2 Scarts are the HDMI and optical outputs.. to the other side are 5 RCA-Phono sockets.... 3 of these are the component video sockets... then white & red ones are your analogue stereo outs.
See below...




Get a custom made 2RCA-5pin Din made up and hook it up that way!


Mike

Mike,

It's a standard V-Box not a V+ box and I can assure you there are NO phono sockets on it anywhere!

Steeve

Ah.. misunderstood... sorry....

Mind you.... the upgrade fee to a V+ will cost you less than a DAC, it'll give you a triple tuner DVR to manage your recordings, an when the time comes to replace your CRT it'll support HD....

Worth thinking about - even if the upgrade fee has gone back from £75 to £150 it's still a good deal & your channel package stays the same price....

I've got a SkyHD box.

The quality of the optical feed for radio is definitely better than the analogue. I don't know how good the DAC is in your box though.

Stevee

I've had the V+ box since launch. Highly recommended. I think I was a post beta "tester" but the initial troubles were worth it. It's worked pretty faultlessly now for probably a couple of years.

After getting my latest bill last week I rang them to explain my displeasure and they dropped it almost £25 in a couple of minutes. I am such a mug! But anyway, I could have another V+ box for £75 so that £150 might just be new customers. Give them a call.

Jay

quote:

Originally posted by nap-ster:
I've got a SkyHD box.

The quality of the optical feed for radio is definitely better than the analogue. I don't know how good the DAC is in your box though.

Nap-ster,

What do you use as a DAC to make it better?


Mike and Jay,

Thanks for the comments - I must admit I hadn't considered this as an option but I will bear it in mind

Steeve

Steeve,

I run the optical feed into an Arcam 350 then pre-out it the 202.