Apple TV/ Minidisc as DAC

[sticks090460]

Feeling very pleased with self. Wife bought me Apple TV for Christmas. Works fine, but only optical and HDMI outputs, so playable only through TV speakers. Contemplating much expense for a DAC to go through Linn/ B&W set-up. Then remembered can use my MiniDisc deck as a DAC. Plugged optical output to optical input on deck. Press "record" with no disc in. -DA appears on display, and lo and behold proper sound! Won't match Linn Ikemi, but it'll do for general listening.

[sjg]

I have a cheap FIIO D3 DAC doing the same job - £20, sounds fine and a little bigger than a matchbox (if anyone else wants a similar solution!).

[cjs]

Can't understand why they didn't put a simple Aux out on the ATV. It's put me off buying one. Maybe the rumoured new version will have one.

[sjg]

cjs said:

Can't understand why they didn't put a simple Aux out on the ATV. It's put me off buying one. Maybe the rumoured new version will have one.

Don't hold your breath. And as I say, easily remedied with a £20 DAC if you do need plain stereo phonos for going to an amp (I have it so I can play music without the TV needing to be on - can control playback from the iPad).

If you have any kind of reasonably modern surround setup then your receiver will either act as an HDMI switch, or have an optical input, that will allow you to do the same.

[cjs]

Just a proper HiFi amp I'm affraid. Yes I've seen the small DACs, may have to go down that route, It will mean another box and another PSU in my ever so crowded cabinet.

My main use will be for music streaming, I intend to rip all my CD collection to a lossless format, trying to keep quality, the DAC may be important.