Don't worry, USB happy

Good article.

Regardless of cable, USB is inherently problematic because of noise and data stream in packets, even though there are companies who base all their optimizations on it. If I am not mistaken, AES/EBU is considered superior by most digital engineers. I use AES/EBU from my CD transport; if I'd ever go computer audio it probably would be from a Baetis server that uses AES/EBU out. Of course, AES/EBU cannot handle the newest craziest sample rates (it works only up to 24/192, I believe), but then I am not interested in those.
 
Al M. said:
Good article.

Regardless of cable, USB is inherently problematic because of noise and data stream in packets, even though there are companies who base all their optimizations on it. If I am not mistaken, AES/EBU is considered superior by most digital engineers. I use AES/EBU from my CD transport; if I'd ever go computer audio it probably would be from a Baetis server that uses AES/EBU out. Of course, AES/EBU cannot handle the newest craziest sample rates (it works only up to 24/192, I believe), but then I am not interested in those.
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The main factor I'm why forgetting about computer audio. At first I thought I could use my laptop with a straight USB cable into a high quality dac.

I don't have the patience for re clockers , dongles and gimmicks with USB.

At at this point I'm going to really consider just buying a cd transport and or all in one box..
 
If it wasn't for DSD, I wonder, would we even be talking about using USB? DSD (a dying format IMO) is the wrinkle.
 
Mike said:
If it wasn't for DSD, I wonder, would we even be talking about using USB? DSD (a dying format IMO) is the wrinkle.
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DSD was doomed from the beginning. The specialty formats never go anywhere.

Here is an interesting exchange a few years ago (probably around 2013) between Schiit co-owners Jason Stoddard and Mike Moffat (the latter of Theta Dig​ital fame), as described by Jason Stoddard in the book "Schiit happened":

“So what if DSD gets big enough to matter?”

Mike laughed and waved a hand. “Remember HDCD?” I nodded. HDCD was a technology of the early 90s that was supposed to be the One True Savior of digital, allowing more dynamic range to be encoded on special disks that could only be decoded by a specific digital filter.

“HDCD almost took down Theta,” Mike said. “We got in screaming arguments about it. My marketing guy said the same thing you did: ‘What if it gets big? Everyone else is doing it. We’re going to lose sales if we don’t have it.’”

“I didn’t say those last two things,” I told Mike.

“Yeah, but just asking about DSD implied it,” Mike said. “You’re worried that we’ll lose sales, or we’ll miss out.” I shook my head. Though Mike was right, in a sense. If DSD became big, we’d be vulnerable to other products that offered DSD playback.

“Stop worrying,” Mike said. “Where did reel to reel go? Nowhere. Where did quadraphonic go? Nowhere. Where did Elcassette go? Nowhere. Where did DAT go? Nowhere. Where did minidisk go? Nowhere. Where did HDCD go? Nowhere. Where did SACD go? Pretty much nowhere.I expect DSD will pretty much go the same exact place.”

“But what if it doesn’t?”

Mike groaned. “These special formats all end up the same place, because there’s no software for them. When there are more DSD downloads available than SACDs, let me know. Then I’ll start worrying.”

***

I guess he still doesn't have to start worrying.
 
DSD is NOT a specialty format, it is the industry archival format for a bulk of material. Its not going anywhere. Besides, there is already TONS of stuff out there in jazz and classical, that will take years to lisen to even if you listen 24/7 continuously!

Additionally, it NOT about DSD as a delivery format, rather internal upsampling/ processing that matters and USB and i2s are the practical connection paradigm. Certain Dacs translate ALL internally to DSD like formats.

Do NOT let personal prejudices blind us to these simple facts. It is not too much to ask for devices to have multiple connectors to facilitate us hearing all of our legacy media.

Final point...high-end audio IS a fashion businessand times are a-changing. How many stores out ther selling CD disks now? With bandwidth and storage being cheap and online getting bigger, how difficult will it be for retailer to offer any format one likes? For similar price who will take 16/44over a high rez format, especially when there are free programs out there to downsample at anytime?
 
Al M. said:
Good article.
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It reads just like the power bracelet ones. Joe blow and everyone else in the bubble says this and that, so its true.:)

Al M. said:
Regardless of cable, USB is inherently problematic because of noise and data stream in packets
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No, only in pathological cases. There is no demonstrable audible noise "problem" with a vast array of consumer devices. Anecdotal "I heard it, I said so" doesn't count for many, though it's gospel for some.
If one is really worried about audible ground noise via usb cable, go wireless.;)
Like a great many things in audiophilia, folks are obsessing about things that matter little or more likely zero, while being oblivious to some very real audible problems in their playback chains.

cheers,

AJ
 
AJ Soundfield said:
12 high end/cable manufacturers? Fair and balanced :D
I like the Comments section...

Speaker and analog ICs, etc, one should definitely be concerned about quality construction. USB and other digital cables, well, let's just say the compelling evidence is scant.
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Come to the store and let's compare. I will JUST change the USB cable. The differences are shocking between a $5 USB cable that comes with your Printer (sounds like crap), a WW Platinum Silver USB, a Siltech Royal Signature Silver/Gold USB, a separate ground Curious USB, etc.

The problem with relying on measurements alone is that we can hear everything we can measure but we can't measure everything we can hear.
 
I'd say bring one Sat...but I go wireless from laptop to (wireless) receiver, then optical out to DAC. Look ma, no usb cable ;-).
Now if it makes a difference on the sending side, I'll eat my shorts :P
 
AJ Soundfield said:
I'd say bring one Sat...but I go wireless from laptop to (wireless) receiver, then optical out to DAC. Look ma, no usb cable ;-).
Now if it makes a difference on the sending side, I'll eat my shorts :P
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Hmmm...that I've never tried.

As for wireless, it gets lots of flack and grief, but my limited experiences with wireless have been excellent. The new Estelon and especially the Goldmund wireless speakers sounded great. I've yet to hear the wireless Bryston speakers. Even my KEF LS50 wireless (which my dog has tried to knock over 5 times) sound great. But the KEF LS50 wireless...ah hem...are not as "wireless" as they should be. But boy do they beat the pants off the regular LS50's.

Estelon (launched at Munich 2017): http://estelon.com/speaker/lynx/
Goldmund Wireless (I think Bob showed these one year): http://www.goldmund.com/en/products/logos_tower
 
Yeah, I think lot's of wireless gets a bad rap for being bad, just like a few USB implementations!
Mine is simply bit transfer > DAC, the final stage is optical. The Audioengine is neat in that its 24bit, with a 2nd independent stream for the volume, so no loss of resolution in the bit transfer. The Mytek will do the DAC part with the bit transfer.
Still use cables to the speakers ;-).
Yeah, I was quite impressed with the wireless LS50s at John Santamarias meet. Great little package with endless features.
 
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