2. digital
  3. 181471-174806

Will a USB hub affect the stream?

I have a Marantz HD-DAC1, which I use as my source for my Parasound preamp, which in turn is powered by my PS Audio Stellar S300 amp. My sources are three separate PC's, but the DAC only has one USB input along with two SPDIF inputs. Presently I am using all three but would prefer to use USB for all of the PC's. The question I have of you great folks is will a USB hub be better than using the SPDIF inputs on the Marantz; that is, instead of using the SPDIF inputs, just plugging in the hub into the one USB input? 

Thanks so much,

jonny b

 

pdjblum
2 responses Add your response
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,600 posts
 

Yes it will probably affecct to not working no how.

Surprise us.

curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
4,700 posts
 

The easy answer is yes,   Everything matters. But, and there can be a lot of buts. Age, hearing, room, quality of the complete system, listening habits and many more things that I’m not thinking of at the moment.

I used an USB, A/B switch behind a streamer and a hard drive on my system and I would say I heard a dulling of the sound, but maybe you won’t.  Buy the splitter and see what happens. I will also say that USB cables can make a difference to, but…

All the best.

Log in to respond
More to discover
80x80
Esoteric K-05X
80x80
Ayon Audio CD-35 HF
AWARD WINNING - REMARKABLE!
80x80
RME ADI-2 DAC