Harman Kardon DAL 150 EzLink Computer to Home Stereo Interface (USB to Coaxial DA)

by Harman Kardon

Product Details

Product Manual [86kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 0.9 x 3.8 x 2.6 inches ; 6.4 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000062SUD
• Item model number: DAL 150
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,876 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
  • #82 in Musical Instruments > Recording Equipment > Computer Recording > Audio Interfaces
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The search for the missing link ends with the DAL 150. The popularity of computer-based, compressed-audio formats such as MP3 have introduced a new and once-incompatible component to home entertainment systems: the personal computer. Harman Kardon's innovative DAL 150 computer-to-home-audio interface lets you enjoy downloaded or streaming MP3 files from your home theater or audio system.

The DAL 150 EzLink digital audio transcoder and interface links the USB port of a compatible PC (running Windows 98 SE/Me/2000/XP) to any coaxial digital-audio input (such as those found on AV receivers and component CD recorders). In bridging the chasm between your computer and your audio system, the DAL 150 accepts MP3 audio files from your Windows PC, transcodes them into the PCM digital format, and sends them to your desired coaxial digital terminal (USB-to-SPDIF).

The DAL 150 is also capable of passing the MP3 bit stream to products with built-in MP3 processing, such as all the latest Harman Kardon AV receivers. EzLink can convert an MP3 file or bit stream to PCM format for playback on many audio products. Your receiver may then process the selection using one of the many available surround modes. When used with a Harman Kardon A/V receiver, EzLink may be set to simply pass the MP3 bit stream through to the receiver, for onboard MP3 decoding--which frees up processing power in your computer.

Once connected to a PC, the DAL 150 is automatically recognized as a Windows Plug and Play multimedia device. The DAL 150 uses the Windows Media Player 7.1 (supplied with the DAL 150's installation disc), letting you play back your favorite music through the high-quality DACs and amplifiers in their existing audio components and delivering significantly improved audio reproduction that brings new levels of fidelity and sonic accuracy to computer-music playback. The DAL 150 is self-powered by the computer's USB port and does not require an external power supply. USB and coaxial digital-audio cables are supplied with the unit.

The DAL 150 EzLink won a prestigious Innovations 2002 Design and Engineering Award from the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). The Innovations awards program is one of the industry's most recognized, honoring excellence in the latest designs and concepts in consumer electronics.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Plenty of better options out there, October 5, 2004

By 

Niall O'Driscoll (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Harman Kardon DAL 150 EzLink Computer to Home Stereo Interface (USB to Coaxial DA) (Electronics)

These are going cheap these days and the main reason is that many computers now ship with built-in digital sound ports. If you have an older computer you can update the sound card to provide digital output pretty easily. The benefit of these other options is that *all* audio output is then digital, not just mp3's that you play through a USB port. (Note that this device doesn't support audio formats other than mp3). Now that I have built-in digital ouput, this thing just sits in a box.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Attractive hockey puck, December 8, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Harman Kardon DAL 150 EzLink Computer to Home Stereo Interface (USB to Coaxial DA) (Electronics)

I had high hopes for this product since I was connecting to a Harman Kardon AVR receiver. I simply cannot get it to work!!! Absolutely dismal tech support, there is no indicator on the unit itself to confirm signal, unit comes with a 3' coax cable so if you are in the 98% of people whose computer doesn't share space with your home audio system, you're screwed. Tried a high-quality digital cable longer than the one supplied and it will not work. I am moving on and buying a Xitel setup. Harman Kardon I love your equipment, but how did this little device make it through R&D without getting squashed?

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Almost done...., December 19, 2002

By 

Casey (Maple Grove, Mongolia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Harman Kardon DAL 150 EzLink Computer to Home Stereo Interface (USB to Coaxial DA) (Electronics)

It does not support Winamp only windows media player 7.1 :( If you lose the install cd you are SOL on getting drivers since they are not available from their website. Otherwise it is a functional product that works quite well and is easy to operate.