From Wizards blog - Why Ethernet streaming sounds much better than USB ....

joeinid

joeinid

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Why Ethernet streaming sounds much better than USB



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Ethernet and USB are on the physical layer 1 on the 7 layer OSI model, but USB has more complex communication data packages.

Because of the larger data packets of USB - that gives a latency of 940ns - Ethernet has small data packets that gives only 96ns latency on a gigabit Ethernet.

When you are sending data it goes up to layer 2 when using a switch, a Router is on layer 3 which is slower.

Jplay acts like a windows service - it's on layer 5, 6 and 7 - session, transport and application.
The lower the layers the simpler and faster it is, which gives better sound and lower latency/delay. The higher layers are much slower than the lower layers.

To get the best sound - don't use a complex operating system at all with all it's sessions and tasks.

When using small simplified code installed on a FPGA chip inside a player - it's active only when you use it and goes to sleep when the music is playing - this will improve the sound quality many levels compared to a system used inside a operating system.

From a CH Precision C1 user who has used the USB card with Jplay in StreamerMode with ControlPc and AudioPc.

"The Ethernet card has been installed and yes it is better than USB!
More control over sound, more organic, much more detailed sound. Also more analog sounding. Very happy to be rid of this unlimited windows tweaking."
 
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:exciting: Oh my... Here we go....giddy-up everyone.

PS WAV has more air than FLAC. Synology NAS sounds best.. And Audio stored on Western Digital green drives have more bass and wider soundstage than Seagate. :panic::lol::rofl:
 
I'm inclined to agree with Rayooo here.

Quickly, Robin, to the batshit-mobile!
 
Maybe I was a bit too flippant in my original post.... it's just that these types of discussions are raging all over in Audiophile forums these days and they typically degrade into a mishmosh of misinformation.

I've grown a bit jaded I guess. For the record, I meant no dis-respect to the original article and especially none to Joe - who is nothing short of top-notch in my book!
 
Oh... yeah I guess I should clarify, too...

Nothing toward Joe - I know he just reposted.

I'm talking about all the wackadoos out there that say they can hear a difference between topology layers... roflmao.
 
Well I do know someone with the CH Precision C1 & he does use it in ethernet & says it is a good thing to do. Then again it does sound just like the original content says in the first post via usb as well.
 
No arguments here. I'm so happy our Marantz NA-11S1 has both!! It's a ridiculously good machine.
 
Guys - I think Joe was just reposting an article and since Network/Digital audio is still in its infancy, I think its important to keep an open mind. Can I hear a difference between Ethernet and CAT5 on the Marantz? Yes - and I said so in my review (which was backed up by a personal email from Ken Ishiwata of Marantz). Is it a big difference? No. But definitely more meaty in its presentation - but, Ethernet can't handle DSD (none that I've found anyway). So, the Ethernet giveth and the Ethernet taketh away.

Digital is still very much evolving....please don't shoot the messenger.
 
After owning a Linn DS for over 3 years, I also prefer an ethernet connection for my streamer. Only my opinion, but I've spent a a lot of time listening.
YMMV !!
 
from what ive listened to

on every device that has had the choice between Ethernet or USB or whatever - I find that the Ethernet edges out the rest.
 
Mike said:
Guys - I think Joe was just reposting an article and since Network/Digital audio is still in its infancy, I think its important to keep an open mind. Can I hear a difference between Ethernet and CAT5 on the Marantz? Yes - and I said so in my review (which was backed up by a personal email from Ken Ishiwata of Marantz). Is it a big difference? No. But definitely more meaty in its presentation - but, Ethernet can't handle DSD (none that I've found anyway). So, the Ethernet giveth and the Ethernet taketh away.

Digital is still very much evolving....please don't shoot the messenger.
Click to expand...

Sorry...as I stated my initial post did not come across as I intended.
Again I'm sorry. I in no way was attempting to shoot the messenger.
 
MDP said:
After owning a Linn DS for over 3 years, I also prefer an ethernet connection for my streamer. Only my opinion, but I've spent a a lot of time listening.
YMMV !!
Click to expand...

I think streaming direct over Ethernet is the way to go. Does the Linn DS stream DSD files over Ethernet? I think an upcoming Oppo unit will via SMB protocol...
 
Mike said:
Guys - I think Joe was just reposting an article and since Network/Digital audio is still in its infancy, I think its important to keep an open mind. Can I hear a difference between Ethernet and CAT5 on the Marantz? Yes - and I said so in my review (which was backed up by a personal email from Ken Ishiwata of Marantz). Is it a big difference? No. But definitely more meaty in its presentation - but, Ethernet can't handle DSD (none that I've found anyway). So, the Ethernet giveth and the Ethernet taketh away.

Digital is still very much evolving....please don't shoot the messenger.
Click to expand...

From what I could tell Joe was just reposting an article. I have issue with the article as there is a lot of missing info, but with that I look at it almost the same way I look at the "c" word.
CAT5 (and CAT 6) are Ethernet by the way. That is to say that CAT 5 & CAT 6 "c" word is the pipe or vehicle in which the Ethernet signal travels. So one can not hear a difference between CAT 5 and Ethernet because they are one in the same in a sense. There "may be" a difference between Ethernet and USB as the article suggest due to bandwidth handling ability or through-put of the "c" word if you will. CAT 6 has higher through-put than CAT 5 by a little bit, but I don't think a human could detect the difference between CAT 5 and CAT 6 as far as streaming goes. USB has slower through-put and USB 2.0 is slower than 3.0. It would make sense to hear a difference in streaming between USB and Ethernet for sure. It also holds true for audio ability. As you pointed out, Ethernet is better connection, but can't do the audio gymnastics that USB can, at least for now. Somebody is bound to come up with a new mouse trap one day if the world doesn't end by 2014 or something. Ethernet is a constant solid connection (provided everything else in the path is solid of course). I have a Roku 3 and a Logitech Squeezebox Touch both are wireless, but also have an Ethernet port on them. That's why I got the Roku3 instead of the lower models was mostly for that Ethernet port which is built-in redundancy. I run a CAT 6 line from my router just sitting there ready to plug into either of those devices plus the laptop. Something goes screwy with the wireless connection, I just plug in a CAT 6 line and I'm up and running.
 
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