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Best PC motherboards for USB Audio?

I need to build a new workstation (Intel 9th gen i7) and was listening to this podcast from Darko on " Why isn't digital audio simply a matter of ones and zeroes?" (https://soundcloud.com/johnhdarko/why-digital-audio-isnt-just-ones-and-zeroes) where the Director of R&D at Innuous mentions PC motherboards are important for USB audio in terms of the quality of connection they deliver to the DAC. So question: does anyone have evidence (hard or annecdotal) of which motherboards are worse/better than others on their USB implementation for the noise/jitter they deliver on the USB connection? 
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Showing 4 responses by erik_squires

erik_squires
5,268 posts
 
As I was thinking about my streamer, I found that iFi makes a nice range of replacement wall warts you can use for your network components (router, switches, Raspberry Pi) :
https://amzn.to/2KLCzre
Fairly reasonably priced as far as Audiophile accessories go.
erik_squires
5,268 posts
 
You know, it’s not IMHO the PC or the motherboard, but the PC’s power supply noise. Try to keep the PC’s power supply outside of your surge protection / AC noise filtering devices. Or at least put the on separate. Also if possible, experiment via the PC’s optical out as well. Kind of tricky part: Keep PC and audio on same AC circuit if using electrical based contacts.

In theory, USB is best due to the DAC’s ability to pull based on it’s internal clock, but sometimes the galvanic (electrical) isolation of the optical cable is superior.

I use a Raspberry Pi based streamer which uses a little bitty wall wart, and I keep that on a different surge protection. I should consider getting a linear supply for it instead.
erik_squires
5,268 posts
 
Sorry, i did not mean to move the power supply out of the PC! :)

I meant to locate the PC power supply plug so it is on the "dirty" side of your power conditioner. The "dirty" side of the conditioner is where it connects to the wall. The "clean" side (or inside) are the power plugs on it you attach components to. If you attach a dirty component to the clean side, you risk polluting it.

Some nice power conditioners have multiple separate filter banks, which you could also take advantage of if possible.
erik_squires
5,268 posts
 
I’m using a Raspberry Pi Logitech Media player based system, it sounds great. It's feeding my Mytek Brooklyn. I think including the 256 GB thumb drive I still paid less than $150. A bargain in these circles.

Maybe for christmas I’ll spend $50 and upgrade the wall wart to an iFi low noise model. It’s still switching, but at least the Pi side is clean.

https://amzn.to/2U5CSkR
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