AudioNervosa

Specialists => Audiologists => Topic started by: dflee on February 07, 2018, 11:05:24 AM

Title: USB Vs Coaxial
Post by: dflee on February 07, 2018, 11:05:24 AM
If you could run either one from a source to dac, which and why?
Not interested in mega buck interconnects so this will be with inexpensive off the shelf type.


Thanks
Don
Title: Re: USB Vs Coaxial
Post by: HAL on February 07, 2018, 02:14:19 PM
If the DAC uses an asynchronous USB interface that one would be my choice. 

The DAC then controls all data timing with its low noise clocks.  Much lower jitter than S/PDIF coaxial interface.  Much higher jitter rejection from the computer side.  If the DAC is powered, then no problem with noise from the computer USB supply.
Title: Re: USB Vs Coaxial
Post by: richidoo on February 11, 2018, 09:22:03 AM
^+1

Of course, there are crappy cheap DACs with asynch USB, in which case a good DAC with coax input can sound superior as long as the jitter is controlled with a reclocker gadget between the source and the DAC.

iFi iPurifier (original version is SPDIF, 60pS jitter - $110) 
Empirical Synchro-Mesh (20pS jitter - $600)

There are also USB decrapifiers (see other thread) to further clean up the USB signal, even for async USB DACs.
Title: Re: USB Vs Coaxial
Post by: dflee on February 11, 2018, 11:12:53 AM
If I'm running the coax out of my Arcam MCD, is it not using any jitter or reclock before going to the dac?
Would the Musical Fidelity M1 dac need any help?
Title: Re: USB Vs Coaxial
Post by: rollo on March 09, 2018, 10:56:44 AM
Yes. The iFi is killer try it. If you have BNC call Pete at TWL and get a SPDIF with BNC oh my!!

charles