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Newbie question re: USB quality

Thanks to everyone who has guided me to this point that I'm able to even ask this question! I'm learning quickly about computer audio and right now using a USB thumb drive with DSD files plugged into an OPPO 105 (non-Darbee edition). I'm getting good quality sound that is certainly superior to rebook CDs.

However, I've seen it mentioned in various articles on audio websites that USB as the interface has various weaknesses. Usually, this is just stated without any mention of other options. What other ways would I be able to get audio files to my Oppo. I have a Macbook Air, but other than connection via USB from the computer, I don't know if any other way to get files to the Oppo.

Again, I appreciate your willingness to help a technophobic newbie.

Best,
Scott
smrex13
clio09
2,978 posts
 
Alesis Masterlink into a good DAC is a nice alternative. I had one modified by TRL that worked nicely. Just wish the HD held more music.
raymonda
847 posts
 
Back in 2005 I had a recording gig where I recorded Jerome Harris for a live show. I used a computer based system running at 96/24 and a Masterlink running at 96/24. For the computer I ran a Grace Design converter and the Master link used the internal converters. I had a kludge spdif/firewire system set up for the computer system. The computer based system beat the Masterlink. I have used the Masterlink as a two track back up on occasions afterwards. I don't find its converters to be on part with other outboard gear.

Up until a year ago I always used firewire as an output from my computer, converted to spdif to my dac. This sounded best to me and when mixing large mult rack projects gave me the best idea of what I was doing. Async usb sounds very good to me, so much so I no longer go firewire spdif but just straight async usb. I also prefer async usb over a cdp. Howere, that wasn't true before async usb. Although my firewire spdif conversion bettered my cdp. Ymmv
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
3,575 posts
 
Mapman, I don't see any reason why USB to S/Pdif converter couldn't do good job. Interface has nothing to do with it since it only delivers data and jitter does not apply (no timing yet). Converter buffers this data then outputs it in S/Pdif protocol creating timing from internal clock. It is only matter of quality of this clock/converter. Am I missing something?
mapman's avatar
mapman
15,679 posts
 
Kijanki, it might work just fine if needed if one right,

Always preferable to avoid converting/adapting protocols up front in general I'd say, if possible, just in case it is not done well.

But sometimes you just do what you gotta do. Nothing inherently wrong with that.
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
3,575 posts
 
Always preferable to avoid converting/adapting protocols

It is very desirable to convert in order to remove timing. Sending music as data and recreating timing on the other side of converter/bridge removes all the noise and timing on computer side. Playback program as well as computer speed don't matter with data transfers. Better yet, slower computer might be better producing less of electrical noise (computer power usage is proportional to speed).

Here is comparison of many USB to S/Pdif converters:

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f6-dac-digital-analog-conversion/15-universal-serial-bus-industry-standard-cables-connectors-and-communications-protocols-between-computers-and-electronic-devices-spdif-converters-shootout-15327/

Some of converters (tested on DCs Scarlatti and Metrum Octave DACs) matched performance of DCs Scarlatti transport, suggesting that USB bus has nothing to do with it!
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