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USB SQ, what can one expect

Have been trying out the USB connection on a Resolution Audio Cantata. The wire I've been using is generic (nothing fancy)and I've been using a Dell laptop using JRiver just to try this out. My problem is that my CD's played on the transport built into the Cantata just sound fantastic, three dimensional, everything and the same CD's ripped to the computer don't hold a candle to it played over the USB. I've also tried some high rez downloads. Is this to be expected or is the problem that I need to optimize the USB playback more. Thanks for any guidance that can be offered.
redcarerra
williewonka
1,826 posts
 
Red - if the Cantata utilizes the power provided via the USB cable then see this post...

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ddgtl&1418927833&openmine&zzWilliewonka&4&5#Williewonka

USB power can be unstable and noisy and degrade the quality of data.

If it does not use the USB supplied power then this will not make any difference.

The quality of the USB cable can play a significant part in playback SQ, so get a half decent cable - like the one in the above link.

You also want to make sure that JRiver is configured to send the unaltered digital content without first processing it in some way.

Unfortunately I know nothing of JRiver, so I cannot help with this, but I use an iMac - and the internal Apple software is not great for streaming playback - I use Audirvana to bypass the Apple software.

Personally - I have compared streamed content via USB to the exact same CD content via spdif into the very same DAC and could not tell any difference, so you should be able to "tune" your streaming path to get CD quality sound

Regards...
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
USB interface quality varies a lot. Most of them are poorly designed IME. Using power in the cable for the critical clocked part of the interface is a no-no.

However you can improve things a LOT by using a separate high-quality power supply for the USB power. The Power Block is such a USB power supply and the best one available using the Hynes regulation technology. You simply plug the USB cable into it and a short integral USB cable plugs to your DAC. It sits behind your DAC. Email for more details. See:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=128620.0

30-day unconditional money-back guarantee, less shipping.

Another option for you is to use a good USB converter like the Off-Ramp 5 and drive S/PDIF coax to your DAC, abandoning the built-in USB interface completely. This will match or beat your CD transport. More expensive though:

http://www.empiricalaudio.com/products/off-ramp-converter

http://www.empiricalaudio.com/news-and-reviews/off-ramp-converter

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
est. 1996
redcarerra OP
49 posts
 
I believe I have a ways to go but I tried a "better" USB cable and this definitely made a very significant difference. So USB cable nay sayers, cables dooo matter. My journey into computer audio, to be continued.
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