2. digital
  3. 166659-3592

Best Digital Interface

It is my understanding that Asynchronous USB may be the best interface for digital transfer to a USB DAC. If the DAC has  Asynchronous USB then it basically owns the signal and basically re clocks timing, bits etc for a more perfect transfer if fed USB? I am streaming from a Node 2 into an RME DAC. I know there is no USB output from the Node. I have a few questions: 
1. Is there a Coax to USB adapter available? Does this make sense? 
2. Are there other reasonably priced (>1k) streamers that have USB output?

Thanks! 
mofojo

Showing 2 responses by ghdprentice

ghdprentice
6,473 posts
 
Whether a USB or traditional digital output sounds better are completely dependent on the Streamer / DAC components you have. It’s basically a question of which component is better (simplified answer). I have used both. On my headphone system I have a USB only DAC, so I use that. It is a very good DAC. On my main system I use traditional digital... it sounds ever so slightly better... I mean so little it is silly to talk about.
ghdprentice
6,473 posts
 
@mahler123. “I thought the issue was that usb delivers info in packets, and that t.....”

.

I think you are thinking of ethernet. Network connections are packetized. On the other side of the music server comes either USB or traditional digital streams (SP/DIF, AES...). But yes on USB being a multi-use protocol.
More to discover