Airport Express digital out to USB Bel Canto

[rossmcleod69]

Trying to figure out what I need to do/need to take the digital out on an Airport Express to a USB input on my Bel Canto s300iu amp. Have read quite a few topics on the matter but still a bit confused. Essentially trying to bypass the internal DAC in the Airport Express and use the probably better quality one in the Bel Canto instead with Apple lossless files. Plain English please, what I need cable-wise and how to do it would be fantastic and the last chain in optimising my wireless system - cheers

 

[John Duncan]

Don't think you can, as pretty sure the USB socket on the AE won't play audio - it only has an optical digital out. I take it the Bel Canto doesn't have an optical in?

Edit - it doesn't. So you're stuck with USB cable from PC. It may be possible to use a wireless USB hub, but have never tried it.

And another edit - you should absolutely persevere though, as the BC DAC should be miles better.

 

[Messiah]

Maybe this will work but depending on the type of USB input on the amp an adapter of some sort may be required.

 

[rossmcleod69]

Thanks for the reply. As you say the USB socket on the AE doesn't do audio and the Bel Canto only has a D shaped USB into the internal DAC. Having done a lot of reading up on it I think I am trying to track down some sort of converter that will convert the optical digital output on the Airport to a USB input and hence into the back of the Bel Canto. I do think it can be done but anytime I follow a link to some company or other that is supposed to do this sort of thing it's either a dead link or the wrong way of conversion ie a USB to optical digital out. It would be the missing link I'm looking for though - cheers

 

[rossmcleod69]

Well spotted Messiah, looks almost perfect although the Bel Canto needs the D shaped USB but as you say there will be a converter out there. Do wonder though if the signal transmitted is digital, must be, but for a couple of quid it's worth a try - thanks for you help!

 

[Messiah]

No problem.

Now to find that adapter......

 

[John Duncan]

Much as I baulk at questioning an omniscient being.......no way that cable will work. AE only has an optical digital out, and that cables not going to convert it.

You could however configure the AE as a network access point and use one of these, to effectively put a USB port by your Bel Canto. Then use a cable like this:

Note that I can't vouch for the efficacy of that Belkin hub, or how the Bel Canto behaves as a USB soundcard.

 

[rossmcleod69]

Yeah its looks perfect but had a feeling that the cable suggested by Messiah was not an optical digital 'jack' to USB although that would be perfect. As you say configuring the AE with a hub to give me a USB out with the cable you've pictured would work but god knows how to do that. Suppose was just hoping there was a simple cable or wee converter that had a D USB one end and a mini toslink (?) optical on the other - hay ho thanks for the suggestions though, still reading up on it all but it's all getting a bit complicated.

 

[Messiah]

If JD says it won't work then I'm sure he is right!

I must bow down to his knowledge in all things Apple

EDIT - having been reading up on this a bit more I did not realise the 'jack' connectors were different. You learn something every day....

 

[rossmcleod69]

Further to that just realised that I am of course using a Netgear router/hub for internet and that is attached to the Airport Express, maybe I can connect the router to the Bel Canto with the D USB cable you suggest but wasn't sure this could handle music but essentially it's all digital, will look into it as our IT guy at work is very good with all things MAC etc