Why USB Audio Quality Varies

3 main factors:

- quality of the +5V supply
- noise transmitted from the computer (this is why galvanic isolation can give such a big positive effect)
- 'signal integrity' - the signal is not perfectly square and may have some jitter
 
Kingsrule said:
A network renderer is much more consistant and sounds much better IMO....
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Ethernet is still packetized data and the stop start nature of that with constant shutdown/start up is a main cause of electrical nasties.
 
wisnon said:
Ethernet is still packetized data and the stop start nature of that with constant shutdown/start up is a main cause of electrical nasties.
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I am not sure anymore about the packt data thing, and I thought the same. But then someone told me this week at the techno geek show in Hannover that also over Ethernet music is streamed, instead of being transmitted as packet data.

Well, I swopped the Ethernet cable between my router and the Aurender to a better Cat 6 one - and to my astonishment the change was quite strongly audible. How is that the case if it's just packets? I was told that the shielding actually matters quite a bit. I ordered an Audioquest Vodka to further test it.

Do you know which one really is the case?


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AFAIK its packets, but will defer to Audiophile who is a Computer expert. Back in my HP days, I could have rustled up a tech paper in minutes from a Networking expert.
 
Kuoppis said:
I am not sure anymore about the packt data thing, and I thought the same. But then someone told me this week at the techno geek show in Hannover that also over Ethernet music is streamed, instead of being transmitted as packet data.

Well, I swopped the Ethernet cable between my router and the Aurender to a better Cat 6 one - and to my astonishment the change was quite strongly audible. How is that the case if it's just packets? I was told that the shielding actually matters quite a bit. I ordered an Audioquest Vodka to further test it.
Click to expand...

Down at the wire we are still dealing with voltages. The networking logic translates it as ones and zeros.

I had the same experience when I replaced CAT5 with CAT7 cable in my home audio network. The differences with the CATx progression was shielding which I learnt makes a difference. The technical term is "Signal to Noise Ratio". With less noise interfering more of the signal emerges. There was definite reduction in background "hash".

Regards.
 
Nikhil, I think you are right. The shielding is a key differentiator between Cat 5 and Cat 6 Ethernet cables.

In addition the AQ Vodka has special connectors to reduce noise interference. Let's see how it sounds.

So, this improvement could have more to do with proper shielding than data transmission type.


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Got the AQ Vodka today. While the sound as such did not change much (maybe a tad less digital harshness), the soundstage widened and detail retrieval improved quite nicely.

The overall presentation howevet improved so much, that I currently do not feel an urge to listen to vinyl instead of digital - which is quite significant from my perspective.

It definitely is a no-brainer for the expense.


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An USB cable that has isolated, separate signal from the power runs can also improve the sound.Recently I bought the new Pangea Audio Premier XL USB Cable.

As far as USB cables? Have no desire to look elsewhere. You will need to available USB ports to use it. Made with Cardas Grade One Copper with 6% pure silver plating.

Its what got me so keen in realizing how much USB can be improved. I was surprised to see how much a USB cable alone can change things. It was only the beginning for me.
 
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