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Qobuz sounds better VIA USB vs Ethernet Direct from Gateway, Why?

Hi, thanks for reading!
I'm trying to understand something and I have a question. When listening to Qobuz through my PC connected to my Cambridge AZURE 851N via USB, the sound quality is better than when listening through my Android with the Streammagic App, which is a direct Ethernet connection to the Cambridge. I mean my PC is connected to my gateway and then sent via USB to the Cambridge, the Streammagic App is direct from the Gateway via Ethernet, so I just don't understand why the PC rout sounds better?? Everything is the exact same CAT7 Ethernet cabling, what might be going on here? I would prefer the Streammagic App as my phone then works as a nice remote control, much better than being tied down to a PC.

Thanks much, maybe there is something I can do to achieve the same SQ with a direct Ethernet connection - Help Please!
grm
4 responses Add your response
grm OP
149 posts
 
Hello,
I did some research on my Cambridge 851N regarding digital inputs and may have discovered why USB seems to sound better than Ethernet direct.

Unlike the other digital inputs, the USB input is Asynchronous (so is the Ethernet) but, the USB input has Galvanic Isolation. Might this be the reason that USB from my PC is delivering better SQ? Lastly, for Ethernet which would be my preference to use, would installing a Network Isolator yield the same results as the USB by providing Galvanic Isolation if that's what a Network Isolator actually does?

Someone please help - thank you!
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,303 posts
 
The only conclusion is in this case that all the other differences determine the sound quality more than the connection type does.

There are always many factors that go into the resulting sound. People often obsess or focus on one thing (like fuses for example) for whatever reason even though that factor may be quite insignificant compared to others.
grm OP
149 posts
 
OOOPS!

Just listened to a Nora Jones recording on Qobuz streaming, 24/192 on my headphones via PC/USB to my Cambridge streamer, it sounded great! Next, using my Android and the Stream Magic App, I listened to the same recording again and guess what, it sounded even better using my CAT7 cable direct from my Gateway! The difference was the USB connection was a bit warmer, an easy listen, but the Ethernet connection had more detail and micro dynamics. To me, through my amp and speakers, I think I misread the details for being a touch bright, when in fact I was simply getting more information out of my system. So on a final listen using Ethernet direct into my amp and speakers, I learned to appreciate the details I could not pick up on through the PC/USB connection.

Thanks for reading and peace-out! 
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
Often what is taken for a problem with definition is due to tonality. Imo, more definition is never a problem, but if the tonality is off, it will seem so.  :) 
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