Streamers rabbit hole

@soix I am quite familiar with the timing issue.  I added a reclocker to my system and heard no effect as a result.  That being said, a good DAC should  have a sufficiently large buffer that would make timing a non-issue.  

The big thing about all computers is that they copy bits perfectly.  Consider those streaming services you subscribe to.   The music files are transmitted to through at least 8 to 12 routers, likely across half the country from where you are.  Those bits get copied perfectly every time, thank in no small part to data transfer protocols like TCP/IP.  I can "tune in" Radio Swiss Jazz, which is literally on the other side of the planet from my home in Hawaii and feel 100% confident that that data I receive is accurate.  That you feel there are errors and sloppiness between your streamer and DAC, over an 18 inch cable is laughable.

@goodlistening64  I am aware of reclockers for digital connection between a PC and a DAC.  I run Linux on a dedicated PC, with JRiver as the music manager.  I dropped $200 on a reclocker and didn't hear a difference.  

I've never heard a difference between USB cables either.  Bits is bits.  If you're not getting the same bit stream with different cables, then you've got a bad cable.  If you've ever done any assembly language programming, you'd realize that bit copying is extremely reliable.  Sorry.  Bits is bits.

Bits is bits.  The DAC doesn't care where the bits come from.  All of those expensive streamers are just Linux boxes running custom software.  No end of suckers in audio.