Virgin VBox to hi-fi
Posted by: Steeve on 21 March 2008
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
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
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
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