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Does your DAC sound better through the S/PDIF or I2S inputs than through USB?

For a long time I used a Windows NUC driving my DAC through USB. (A modified Gustard X20Pro.) Then I got an Aurender N100 which provided a better USB source. I also tried a DAC on the recommendation of a friend in the New Jersey Audiophile Society. People were excited about this there: the Gustard R26.

I found that the R26 is disappointing through its USB input, but excels through the Coax S/PDIF input using a Gustard U18 Digital/Digital Convertor.

This probably points to a subpar USB implementation, to be honest, but I started wondering if this is a general pattern among DACs that can take both S/PDIF and USB.

Anyone find something similar in their DAC?

For example, I'm interested in a Schiit DAC (not sure which model yet). Now that I have the DDC I can drive it through Coax and compare to USB. With the Gungnir 2, I may not have the choice of USB because they have a USB C connection and my only good USB cable is A to B.

Note: what is wrong with the R26 through the USB input: very light bass, unintegrated treble (sibilance kind of clouds over the sound and doesn't integrate with the body of the instruments)

magon

Showing 1 response by rikkipuu

rikkipuu's avatar
rikkipuu
286 posts
 

Yes my DAC sounds better from S/PDIF than USB. 

I have a crazy set-up because it sounds better to me. 

I stream from an Innuos Statement via Ethernet to  a Sonore  OpticalModule  that sends fiber to a Signature Rendu which sends USB  to an Antipodes S20 which sends S/PDIF to a Lampizator Golden Gate upgraded with the JL Audio USB.

While it makes no sense to me that a direct USB connection between the Statement and Golden Gate is inferior to the above, it does make me skeptical about using USB as both Innuos and Lampizator highly tout their USB. 

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