Streamer Internal HD vs. External HD

[Michaels HiFi]

OK Guys - I did a comparison on my Rose 150b of the SQ comparing using the same brand model HD both on the internal HD slot of the Rose vs the external USB version.

I was curious if the short USB cable the external HD uses affected the sound.

Both external and internal had the same 20 CD's ripped to them so they both had the same amount of use prior to listening.

I'm gong to be doing a video of the results, but was wondering if anyone has tried a similar test on their own units and your results.

 

[audio.bill]

Just a point to keep in mind, such a comparison will not actually determine whether the short USB cable on the external drive alone has an impact on the sound quality. There's more being introduced than just the cable, the USB input receiver circuitry of the Rose is also in play along with the quality of its power supply.

 

[Michaels HiFi]

Just a point to keep in mind, such a comparison will not actually determine whether the short USB cable on the external drive alone has an impact on the sound quality. There's more being introduced than just the cable, the USB input receiver circuitry of the Rose is also in play along with the quality of its power supply.

Hi Bill - those are definitely good points.

In my mind there is still a "connection" per se whether it be the USB port on the Rose or the internal HD connection on the Rose. To your point there could definitely be more going on than my over simplification of the cable being the biggest differentiator.

 

[Shadowfax]

Hi Bill - those are definitely good points.

In my mind there is still a "connection" per se whether it be the USB port on the Rose or the internal HD connection on the Rose. To your point there could definitely be more going on than my over simplification of the cable being the biggest differentiator.

I am guessing that the internal drive uses a more traditional PC type connection? Either way, that connector is probably not of any different quality than the USB connector. Any differences could be Connection Type, Quality of Connector, Connector, and Cable/Cable Length.

 

[mep]

MM needs Puma Cat to do a DOE for him.

 

[Puma Cat]

OK Guys - I did a comparison on my Rose 150b of the SQ comparing using the same brand model HD both on the internal HD slot of the Rose vs the external USB version.

I was curious if the short USB cable the external HD uses affected the sound.

Both external and internal had the same 20 CD's ripped to them so they both had the same amount of use prior to listening.

I'm gong to be doing a video of the results, but was wondering if anyone has tried a similar test on their own units and your results.

I'd hypothesize the internal HD slot sounds best. Simply because there's less "stuff" in the "signal path" from file to DAC. "Less stuff" is almost always better. Also gets you closer to Altschuler's Theory of Ideality*, which is almost always a good thing.

•–basically: the less "stuff" it takes to perform a function, the better. Ref here: Altschuler and Theory of Ideality: http://www.iosrjournals.org/iosr-jmce/papers/ICRTEM/ME/Volume-1/IOSRIE036.pdf