USB SQ, what can one expect

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

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.

Redcarrera, what usb cable did you go to and how much usd?

Um. I use the DH Labs Mirage USB cable. Beat the Wireworld platinum IMHO.

The USB cable was a modestly priced mapleshade one, but it certainly surpassed the generic cable by a good margin.