Mac > DAC > Amp, USB or RCA for long cable run?

[mattstick]

I bought a Cambridge Audio DAC Magic 100 to run high res audio off my Mac Mini to my living room setup.

My work station is about 12-15 feet from my living room stereo - should I place the DAC at the work station and run RCA analog audio cables to my amp/receiver?

Or do I keep the DAC at the home stereo and run a long USB from the Mac Mini to the DAC?

Is there a max. length for USB cable runs?

Any thoughts?

[PIE-GUY]

from google:

The USB 2.0 specification limits the length of a cable between USB 2.0 devices (full-speed or hi-speed) to 5 meters (or about 16 feet and 5 inches).

[Hicks]

I highly doubt you would hear any difference between the two configurations.

But, if you want someone to tell you that will, you know where to look. 

[Superfreakie]

As an aside: how do you like that Cambridge Audio DAC Matt?

[jam>]

I'd go with a long semi-nice 15 or 25ft RCA cable from Monoprice.
https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=5346

[mattstick]

from google:

The USB 2.0 specification limits the length of a cable between USB 2.0 devices (full-speed or hi-speed) to 5 meters (or about 16 feet and 5 inches).

What is this google you speak of?

I highly doubt you would hear any difference between the two configurations.

But, if you want someone to tell you that will, you know where to look. 

I didn?t want to be shamed for buying a DAC that only costs $300, so I came here for advice...

As an aside: how do you like that Cambridge Audio DAC Matt?

I ordered it from Crutchfiled yesterday, hoping it arrives this week...

I'd go with a long semi-nice 15 or 25ft RCA cable from Monoprice.
https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=5346

I grabbed a twisted pair shielded 20? RCA off Amazon for about $25. Figure I?m good.

The only USB-c to USB-B 2.0 cables I could find were for printers, I?m guessing that?s not too big of a deal.

[kellerb]

I grabbed a twisted pair shielded 20? RCA off Amazon for about $25. Figure I?m good.

The only USB-c to USB-B 2.0 cables I could find were for printers, I?m guessing that?s not too big of a deal.

well, when the cables run out of treble, they don't play at all.  And you won't believe how overpriced the refills are.  That's how they get you

[PIE-GUY]

I grabbed a twisted pair shielded 20? RCA off Amazon for about $25. Figure I?m good.

The only USB-c to USB-B 2.0 cables I could find were for printers, I?m guessing that?s not too big of a deal.

well, when the cables run out of treble, they don't play at all.  And you won't believe how overpriced the refills are.  That's how they get you

classic KB!!

[mopper_smurf]

I grabbed a twisted pair shielded 20? RCA off Amazon for about $25. Figure I?m good.

The only USB-c to USB-B 2.0 cables I could find were for printers, I?m guessing that?s not too big of a deal.

well, when the cables run out of treble, they don't play at all.  And you won't believe how overpriced the refills are.  That's how they get you

classic KB!!

Indeed.

[mattstick]

DAC finally arrived, and it sounds great. Still running my 1979 Marantz but I?ve been streaming High Rez from Tidal and a bunch of 24/96 FLAC file sets. Super happy.