outboard DAC

A stand-alone digital-to-analog converter that is housed in its own case. It typically refers to audio DACs that are used to convert digital music files to analog signals for the amplifier and speakers. See D/A converter.

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References in periodicals archive

Assemblage DAC-3: OK, so you must unload some money into audio equipment today, and you have your heart set on an outboard DAC. What do you do?

Rotel RCD-971 CD Player

If you are playing a CD, the PCM signal will appear at the jack and you can route it to an outboard DAC in your processor the same way, if it has one.

Most users, certainly those with AC-3 processors, will opt for the "AC-3 (Analog OFF)" setting, and will be content to use the outboard DACs in their surround processors to handle CD playback.

Toshiba SD-3006 and Pioneer DVL-700 DVD Players

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