|
Computer Audio Asylum Music servers and other computer based digital audio technologies. |
|
|
|
Computer Audio Asylum Music servers and other computer based digital audio technologies. |
|
In Reply to: I2S.... the money question posted by redneckdent on March 15, 2006 at 09:41:17:
My DAC does allow direct A/B of SPDIF and USB sources. I truly can't tell a difference between clean SPDIF source and direct USB-I2S from the computer (see my web page for the USB DAC details) in the setup that allows me to do the realtime A/B. HOWEVER.... because the USB interface driven by the PC allows me to use Foobar for the volume control and completely ditch the preamp needed for hte direct A/B. Dropping that component (and it wasn't a bad unit, the tubes alone are $300+ for the pair), made a huge difference. It's now sitting on a shelf hoping for better days in a second system.Now, the $60,000 question is: does my M-Audio USB Audiophile SPDIF box sound better than the same DAC using the direct USB-I2S interface, eliminating the preamp in both sources? Well, the difference is much smaller than coming from the CD transport and through the preamp, but I still prefer USB-I2S. Could be because the USB board is reclocked and battery powered, but it could also be because SPDIF is extremely difficult to do right, and starting with an RCA jack on the M-Audio Box isn't the best way to get it done.
Maybe the M-audio could sound better if it was heavily modded? Maybe, but I simply don't see the point of doing that given the USB-I2S is at least equal to anything else I have ever listened to. SPDIF isn't the most respected interface out there and it's easy to screw up, so being able to eliminate that from the signal path seems like a good idea to me.
I pretty much ignored that USB jitter thread, as the whole story originated from somebody who has a vested interested in selling a product that appears to be targeted at the same buyer who may pick up a cheap USB-I2S board. Maybe he has a point, but even if his appraoch works better, I am perfectly happy with what I am getting from my DAC right now.
Peter
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
Follow Ups
- Re: I2S.... the money question - pburke 11:08:28 03/15/06 (0)
Top of Page ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Support/Wish List ]
[ Copyright © 2025, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
