Reddit mentions of SPDIF RCA Out Plate Cable Bracket

Yes. One is ground and one is the spdif signal. You can make your own cable by getting a 2 wire pc cable (can be anything, like an old power button out of a case) and an rca cable. Cut them both in half and solder the wires together. You can also buy ones but you may have to move pins around the connector as they used to be 4 pin

edit: you can buy this

https://www.amazon.com/SPDIF-RCA-Plate-Cable-Bracket/dp/B0035J9Z7W/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1487860812&sr=8-4&keywords=S%2FPDIF+OUT

and just use the 2 wires that are next to each other on the motherboard connector. Just the RCA style spdif will work.

Another vote for upgrading your receiver and just running audio over HDMI.

However, if you need SPDIF in the interim (I've been there), a lot of boards out there have a SPDIF IO header. Just pick up a bracket like this and be done with it.

If you're using a SFF case, you may have to either find a low-profile bracket, create your own, or get creative with mounting the plugs, but it's probably going to be far easier than finding a board with built-in SPDIF out.

I would make sure to get an optical breakout for the motherboard. This opens way more DAC options, and IMO it's way better to buy a DAC that will work with more devices than one that just goes via USB.


The MSI pins are messy but like this. I can't find somewhere selling that exact adapter though, but the digital audio is the only important part anyways.

Most motherboards have an SPDIF header on them - this may be all you need.

What's your motherboard?

Hey Zeos, I'm looking to run a SMSL SD-793ii as a DAC/AMP but my motherboard doesn't have a S/PDIF output. I know that you linked the fanmusic USB to S/PDIF as an alternative but I was wondering if something like this would also work. If it does, do you suggest I go with this route or the fanmusic route?

EDIT: Would something like this also be an alternative?

Thank you!

https://www.amazon.com/SPDIF-RCA-Plate-Cable-Bracket/dp/B0035J9Z7W

Kind of stupid expensive for what it is. Probably cheaper ones out there. I think it was the MSI GB board I specifically noticed it on, but it might be there on others as well.

You could probably find a spdif header to stick into your pc for <$10 and then go optical cable PC->receiver.

Check your motherboard manual for an optical pin out and then head to eBay

edit: one of these plugged into here

Build List:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Type|Item|Price

----|:----|:----
CPU | Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor | $159.99 @ Micro Center
CPU Cooler | Cooler Master Hyper TX3 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler | $17.99 @ Newegg
Motherboard | ECS B85H3-M3(1.0) Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard | $44.98 @ Newegg
Memory | Team Vulcan 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory | $27.99 @ Newegg
Storage | Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive | $45.89 @ OutletPC
Video Card | XFX Radeon R9 280 3GB Double Dissipation Video Card | $140.79 @ Micro Center
Case | Fractal Design Core 1100 MicroATX Mini Tower Case | $39.99 @ SuperBiiz
Power Supply | EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply | $39.99 @ SuperBiiz
| Total (before mail-in rebates) | $522.61
| Mail-in rebates | -$5.00
| Total | $517.61

Other parts:


Part| Link
---|---
Amp/Dac | SMSL SD-793II
Optical Cable | AmazonBasics Digital Optical Audio Toslink Cable - 6 Ft
S/PDIF Header Card | S/PDIF RCA Out Plate Cable Bracket
Headphones | ATH-M50s


My build (linked above) is all assembled and running Windows 10. I bought the audio equipment (linked above) last week, except the headphones which I've had for about 2 years. I installed the header card (changing the pin out to match my motherboard) and hooked up all the cables to the Amp/Dac. The red light can be seen from the header card and through the cable to the Amp, so physically the card is working. Both lights on the Amp light up, so I assume it is functioning properly.

In software, Windows sound shows the digital output as Ready and the properties look good. The test feature of windows shows the green bars outputting sound, but no sound comes out of the amp. I've tested this on both input selections on the amp and get nothing either way. The Realtek Audio Manager shows that there is a connection in the optical port (full color rather than grayed out image of analog outputs, above).

I've done a driver roll back on the Realtek HD Audio, which renamed it High Definition Audio Device in Device Manager, removed the Realtek Audio Manager from Control Panel, and renamed the output Digital Audio (S/PDIF) in Windows Sound. I've disabled the AMD HD Audio Device, which removed my monitor from the Windows Sound panel. None of this had any effect.

Assuming that the header card is working (seen by red light output, shows up in software) and any one of the permutations of software changes above would've worked, then the Amp must be defective despite the LEDs lighting up.

Thoughts?

The SPDIF_O header (top left in your photo) will already do optical out, you just need the bracket. You'll need to grab 5V for the bracket's third pin from a spare USB header - check your motherboard manual for the header pin locations.

Edit: More info/instructions

Sorry, that didn't come out how I wanted it to -- I meant to say that all the options appear to be around $15, but I don't want to pay that much.

If I'm dropping $15, I may as well just get a bracket that'll do it all for me :P

I'll probably buy the above bracket if I can't find a good source for a transmitter, but I'd much rather build it myself; it would be so much cooler that way.