DA34 Overview and Use Cases

What Is the DA34?

The OREI DA34 is a Digital to Analog Audio Decoder designed to convert digital audio from an Optical/Toslink or Coaxial source into analog stereo audio through RCA L/R or 3.5mm output.

The DA34 is commonly used when your TV, Blu-ray player, game console, cable box, media player, or set-top box has Optical or Coaxial digital audio output, but you wish to connect it to an older amplifier, stereo receiver, powered speakers, headphones, or audio system that only accepts analog RCA or 3.5mm audio.

Unlike the DA21, the DA34 supports Dolby Digital and DTS decoding/downmixing. This means it can take supported Dolby Digital or DTS 5.1 audio and convert it to 2-channel analog stereo output.

IMPORTANT — DA34 Supports Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 Downmixing

The OREI DA34 can decode and downmix supported digital audio formats into analog stereo audio.

It supports:

• PCM audio 
• Dolby Digital / AC3 
• DTS 5.1 

This makes it useful when your TV or source device outputs Dolby Digital or DTS 5.1 audio through Optical or Coaxial, but your speaker system, amplifier, receiver, or headphones only accept analog stereo audio.

The final output from the DA34 is always 2-channel analog stereo through RCA or 3.5mm.

IMPORTANT — DA34 Does NOT Downmix Higher Audio Formats

The DA34 only supports Dolby Digital, DTS 5.1, and PCM audio decoding/downmixing.

It does not support downmixing higher or lossless audio formats such as:

• Dolby TrueHD 
• Dolby Atmos through TrueHD 
• DTS-HD Master Audio 
• DTS:X 
• Dolby Digital Plus
• Multi-channel LPCM beyond supported stereo output 

To get audio from the DA34, the source device or TV audio output should be set to one of the supported formats:

• PCM 
• Stereo 
• Bitstream Dolby Digital 
• Bitstream DTS 5.1 

Do not set the source to TrueHD, DTS-HD MA, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Auto, or Pass-Through if those formats are being sent directly without conversion by the source or TV.

Ports and Panel Layout

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Connect your digital audio source to the DA34 using either: 
   • Optical/Toslink cable 
   • Coaxial digital audio cable 
2. Use the input switch on the DA34 to select the correct input: 
   • Select SPDIF if using Optical/Toslink. 
   • Select Coax if using Coaxial input. 
3. Connect the DA34 to your audio device using either: 
   • RCA L/R cable for an amplifier, receiver, powered speakers, or stereo system 
   • 3.5mm cable for headphones, powered speakers, or a 3.5mm audio input 
4. Connect the included 5V power adapter to the DA34 and plug it into power. 
5. Turn on your TV/media source, and audio device. 
6. Go into the audio settings of your TV or source device and set the digital audio output to a supported format: 
   • PCM / Stereo 
   • Dolby Digital 
   • DTS 5.1 
   • Bitstream Dolby Digital or DTS 
7. Play content and confirm audio is coming through the RCA or 3.5mm output. 

Input Selection Note

Unlike the DA21, the DA34 includes a dedicated input selection switch.

This means you can connect Optical and Coaxial devices, but you must manually choose which input the DA34 should use.

If there is no audio, check that the switch is set to the correct input.

What Audio Devices Is the DA34 Compatible With?

The OREI DA34 is compatible with analog audio devices that accept RCA L/R or 3.5mm stereo input.

It can be used with:

• Powered speakers 
• Stereo amplifiers 
• Older AV receivers 
• Headphones 
• 3.5mm speaker systems 
• RCA stereo systems 
• Analog audio receivers 

The connected audio device will receive 2-channel analog stereo audio.

What Source Devices Is the DA34 Compatible With?

The OREI DA34 is compatible with source devices that have Optical/Toslink or Coaxial digital audio output.

It can be used with:

• TVs with Optical audio output 
• DVD players 
• Blu-ray players 
• Cable boxes 
• Satellite boxes 
• Game consoles with Optical output 
• Media players 
• Set-top boxes 
• AV receivers with digital audio output 

The source device must be set to PCM, Dolby Digital, DTS 5.1, or a compatible Bitstream format.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the OREI DA34 used for? 
A: The DA34 is used to convert Optical/Toslink or Coaxial digital audio into analog RCA or 3.5mm stereo audio.

Q: How is the DA34 different from the DA21? 
A: The DA21 only supports PCM/Stereo audio. The DA34 can also decode and downmix Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 audio to analog stereo.

Q: Does the DA34 support Dolby Digital and DTS? 
A: Yes. The DA34 supports Dolby Digital/AC3 and DTS 5.1 decoding/downmixing to 2-channel analog stereo output.

Q: Does the DA34 support Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio? 
A: No. The DA34 does not decode or downmix higher formats like Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Atmos, or DTS:X. Set your source to PCM, Dolby Digital, or DTS 5.1.

Q: Can the DA34 output surround sound? 
A: No. The DA34 outputs 2-channel analog stereo only. It can accept supported surround formats, but the RCA and 3.5mm ports output only stereo.

Q: Can I connect both Optical and Coaxial at the same time? 
A: Yes, but you must use the input switch to choose which input you want to use.

Q: Can I use the DA34 with my TV’s Optical output? 
A: Yes. Connect the TV’s Optical output to the DA34 and set the TV’s audio output to PCM, Dolby Digital, or DTS 5.1.

Q: What should I do if my source only has Dolby Atmos or DTS:X options? 
A: Change the source audio settings to PCM, Dolby Digital, or DTS 5.1. The DA34 cannot decode Dolby Atmos TrueHD or DTS:X formats.

Q: Can my TV remote control the volume of the speakers or headphones connected to the DA34?

A: No. The DA34 does not allow TV remote volume control for devices connected through the RCA or 3.5mm analog outputs. CEC volume control only works through HDMI connections. Since the DA34 outputs audio through analog RCA and 3.5mm ports, CEC commands from the TV remote cannot pass to the connected speakers, amplifier, or headphones. To adjust volume, use the volume control on the connected audio device, such as your powered speakers, amplifier, receiver, or headphone volume control.