I have been testing the Network of my Music library on server and Raspi end points. I use the Allo DigiOne and SPDIF to the DAC. There is simply no comparison in SQ. Bit perfect digital beats USB direct from host to DAC. USB is riddled with noise that neither the Schiit Wyrd or iFi iPurifier2 could correct in direct comparison. We at Affordable Audiophile recommend the digital coax over the USB on any application. And we also endorse HFC magnetic adapters which will make any stereo sound like Audiophile quality.
Is USB audio dying?
It seems inevitable that USB audio will be replaced with TCP/IP network based audio, either WiFI or Ethernet NICs built into an endpoint/dac as a transport for the audio stream. I have a nice USB audio rig, DAC + USB NAA, but I cant help thinking that pure network based interfaces are a more elegant solution.
At the high end, Mytek has done this with the Manhattan and its network streaming card, as has BluSound with their BluOS products. Many other products are doing this in the more general consumer friendly space like Denon, Marantz, Yamaha, Pioneer etc.
Are there any inherent advantages to handing off audio to the dac via USB?
At the high end, Mytek has done this with the Manhattan and its network streaming card, as has BluSound with their BluOS products. Many other products are doing this in the more general consumer friendly space like Denon, Marantz, Yamaha, Pioneer etc.
Are there any inherent advantages to handing off audio to the dac via USB?