PC-Audio vs. High-end CD Player-GAME OVER

Kana813 - the SB3 and Transporter are not affected in any way by the PC or MAC that is driving them. Strictly a data transport mechanism using packets with ethernet protocol.

Steve N.

Splaskin - Alex has a point here. The jitter on the USB interface is very much a function of the computer power, grounding and shielding. Fortunately, there are a couple of excellent chips from TI that reject this jitter quite effectively using digital PLL's, namely the TAS1020 and TUSB3200. If low-jitter clocks are used with these, the results can be quite stellar, beating 99% of transports on the market.

If another chip is selected for the USB interface, the results can be not as good. Some devices use other chips, but then reclock using ASRC (asynchronous Sample Rate Conversion). This can work extremely well too, providing the best resampler chips are used.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
Manufacurer

"1. Will the PC/Mac download + DAC system kill the CD?"

There is little doubt in my mind that this not only will be the case, but already is the case, given the right player software and .wav files.

2. Does the high-end PC/MAC setup kill the high-end CD player?

Ditto.

2.1. Does it kill (or comparable to) the APL NWO?

Cannot speak to this. The only time a shootout was planned with my gear, Alex didn't show. Maybe another time.....

Steve N.

Kana813 - the SMPS that drives the SB3 definitely has an effect on its output jitter. This is independent of the PC power supply though. I suppose if you wired the SB3 to your network rather than using WiFi, this might add ground-loops that would introduce more noise?

I'm saying that PC-audio CAN be affected by PC power supply and ground noise, but it's not necessarily the case. Depends entirely on the USB converter design if it's USB. If it's networked, then the answer is no, it is not affected by the PC in any way.

I use the SB3 and Sonos wirelessly and feed them through a Pace-Car reclocker. This totally isolates everything: the clocks, the ground and the data signals. In this case the jitter is not a function of the PC, the SB3 or the Sonos, only the clock in the Pace-Car.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
Manufacturer

I agree. Tube DAC's can be really wonderful, and 16-bit data is just fine. 24-bit can be a bit better, but I'm happy to listen to 16-bit all day long.

Using the DAC's in these inexpensive converters is like playing your Wilson speakers from a Bose lifestyle. Waste of time. The DAC's in these things are all compromises. These devices are only good for the digital outs IMO, and even they need a lot of work to reduce jitter. The Transporter analog output is a bit better, but I personally dont care for the D/A chip in it. Too sterile and electronic sounding for me. If is is the only decent DAC that you have heard, then you may think it's wonderful. There are many steps on the pathway to good sound quality.

Steve N.

Drubin asks:
which would be better:

(1) USB out of my Mac --> USB input on Benchmark DAC1 USB, or

(2) USB out of my Mac --> Empirical Audio device that converts USB to SPDIF --> coax digital input on DAC1?

They both use virtually the same USB interface and firmware. #2 would have lower jitter due to the Superclock4 in the Off-Ramp I2S. There is a slight advantage of the DAC-1 USB because of the upgraded op-amps on the outputs. More mods are recommended to improve the high-frequency smoothness and overall dynamics of either.

#2 also allows optimum use of the Pace-Car reclocker with a wide range of sources, including SB3, Sonos, Olive and AiRport Express. These combos are actually better than the USB interface, lower jitter.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
Manufacturer

#3 is a non-starter, not even close IMO.

Steve N.

Kana813 - I didn't say it was better, just different. The DAC-gives you more options and lower jitter. The DAC-1 USB gives you the better output op-amps. Some may like one better than the other.... I prefer both modded, not stock.

Steve N.