There's this new assumption that nothing of good audio quality comes out of a computer USB port because of the horribly noisy computer innards and operating system thrash. Has that ever been proven or is it a very lucrative marketing claim? All these streamers and reclockers claim superority to laptops but they're computers and often made of cheaper parts and sold at very high markups.
I'm of two minds: Mind#1) It shouldn't make a difference, and Mind# 2) What do I perceive? Mind#1) is flawed because "knowing" can change perception and blocks the consideration of new information, and Mind#2) is flawed because listening intently usually changes perception and expectation bias is a real thing.
So, I have a laptop going to a Denafrips Terminator over USB. I use a Curious USB cablle because it seemed to make instruments more 3D. I purchased a much better laptop for streaming because I was tired of swapping my work laptop in and out of my system. With the better laptop, the soundstage is two feet higher. Getting spectacular clarity, imaging and musicality. Cant imagine needing more.
So now Denafrips releases a series of Digital to Digital converters (Iris and Gaia) and Terminator owners claim they are getting significant improvements with the costlier model In the chain. So, Mind#1) It shouldn't make a difference, and Mind#2) I want to experience it.
It's all quite curious, which makes the hobby intriging and fun.
I'm of two minds: Mind#1) It shouldn't make a difference, and Mind# 2) What do I perceive? Mind#1) is flawed because "knowing" can change perception and blocks the consideration of new information, and Mind#2) is flawed because listening intently usually changes perception and expectation bias is a real thing.
So, I have a laptop going to a Denafrips Terminator over USB. I use a Curious USB cablle because it seemed to make instruments more 3D. I purchased a much better laptop for streaming because I was tired of swapping my work laptop in and out of my system. With the better laptop, the soundstage is two feet higher. Getting spectacular clarity, imaging and musicality. Cant imagine needing more.
So now Denafrips releases a series of Digital to Digital converters (Iris and Gaia) and Terminator owners claim they are getting significant improvements with the costlier model In the chain. So, Mind#1) It shouldn't make a difference, and Mind#2) I want to experience it.
It's all quite curious, which makes the hobby intriging and fun.