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jwc

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    The rabbit hole of USB audio connection "upgrades"

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

    18 minutes ago, whell said:

    Ok, I'll bite.  I've been doing PC based audio for about 12 years now.  Music playback is now the best I’ve had in this house...ever.  
     

    I think I need to know more about what you have upstream from your Yaggi.  You've got Unison USB, so I suspect you've maximized your USB connection already.   Hanging dongles of various types on the cable between your PC and your DAC won't likely offer much if any bang for the buck.  Been there, done that.  I have found that the right PC...or better put...having the USB designed correctly inside the PC is a significant element in the chain.  
     

    Are you using a laptop or a desktop PC?  A budget laptop can kill a good setup, and so can a cheap desktop.  The USB PCI card that has been linked above might not be necessary If the USB is already on its own bus inside your PC.

     

    After that, Windows of any version is the least satisfying OS to use for music playback.  Linux has its issues as well, but one can get excellent results if you work at it a bit.  Ubuntu Studio Linux was mentioned above.  I used that for a number of years with a program called “mpd”.  Truly excellent playback, and noticeably better than anything I ever experienced when using Windows 7 or 10.  I also used this setup for both music and some movie/TV audio as you currently do. 
     

    Lately I've become fond of a Linux variant called Daphile.  Daphile is what you get when you mate Logitech's Music Server software with Linux.  https://www.daphile.com/   It's a project run by one guy, so if God forbid he ever dropped of the face of the earth the user community would be SOL.  However, Daphile let’s you playback from multiple sources (connected USB drive, network drive) as well as services like Tidal, Deezer, Qobuz and Spotify.  Daphile is setup to run on your PC or laptop, but playback is controlled by your tablet or smartphone, or any other PC on the same network.  The sound is quite simply the best I've ever enjoyed here at home.  
     

    So, I'd suggest visiting choice of PC and operating system first before messing with anything else. Also, the good thing about Ubuntu Studio and Daphile is that they're free to use, so trying them as potential solutions will cost you nothing.  However, if they work for you and improve your listening experience as I suspect they might, you might consider making a donation.  
     

    if you go down this path, please keep us posted.  

    I only stream now and also play full scale video streaming as well.  I no longer need a music server and software to play my owned music files.

     

    You and Bruce have brought up the idea of linux operating system variants.  I never gave this a thought so I do need to look into this.

     

    This particular PC has a decent name brand power supply.  There is no CPU fan.

    http://global.shuttle.com/products/productsSpec?productId=1707

    I have two slots available for a USB card variety if needed.  I had a professional EMU sound card that occupied those two spots and worked very well.  It was to play my music storage of FLAC files.  That card Can't do the higher resolution available today.

     

    upstream......just this PC with USB out to Yggy with a cheap cable.  Also a Cabinet with some good Bourbon.

     

    I have a Youtube Premium (no TV) account and stream music and music videos from here.

     

    I was to entertain other packages such as Tidal in the future as they have expanded there video selections.   Thing I can't fix is my Super $hitty Bandwidth.  

     

     

    The rabbit hole of USB audio connection "upgrades"

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

    5 hours ago, A1UC said:


    I was just going to tell him that card ain’t for him . But if I had an idea what he was looking for and his setup I could recommend something maybe


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    Yes you guys are now starting to hit on some of the things I was interested in. I did read a good bit about the jitterbug and how it works. I also read about other types of gadgets to add to the USB cabling to improve the sound. 

     

    I did read a good bit about another USB PCI add-on computer card but I've not seen the one that you just posted. I'm going to read up on a good bit tomorrow night as I'm out of town. My DAC again is a Schiit Yggdrasil and I'm finding that the newest add-on USB card inside of it is very good and I'm liking the sound and I'm looking to improve that pathway.

    PXL_20210416_083316245.jpg

    • Like 2

    The rabbit hole of USB audio connection "upgrades"

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

    21 minutes ago, rplace said:

     

    For what it is worth my system is 100% USB. I was not advocating a different connections to the DAC since you seem keen on that after my initial questions. I'm more unclear on the unwavering devotion to the PC. I'm also wondering why the video streaming is a deal breaker? Maybe some more information on the system as a whole. I've got thousands of CDs ripped to FLAC, 100s of DVDs/Blu-Rays ripped to .MKV and endless digital pictures all on a home network somewhere independent of any music/video device. They all play where/how I want them to. They all sound great, IMO, for the device they are intended to play on. Those devices could be casual listening outside, LoFi, or a dedicated room. Nothing plays directly from a PC....but just about every device is in one way or another a computer. Except my turntable and stacks of wax.

     

    Well, I had over a TByte of Flac files that I never use anymore and don't plan too.  TT setup on idle for a long time.

     

    Off my topic.... but What device do you recommend to stream Youtube videos, Youtube music or if I invest in a Tidal account for videos later?

    The rabbit hole of USB audio connection "upgrades"

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

    7 minutes ago, Chris A said:

    If your DAC has a local buffer on the USB input channel,  then I'm not sure that your remaining issue is the USB connection, but perhaps the analog transfer function out of the DAC. 

     

    There are USB to AES3 and I2S converters that have their own clocks internally and use those clocks to get rid of USB bus jitter.  I'd look for something in that area (if it were me).  I know you seem really invested in the USB bus only, JC, but the other approaches will provide equal or better results. 

     

    About two years ago, I was looking for a USB (from a laptop) to AES/EBU converter with an internal clock.  I found some, but beware: the device drivers to recognize these converters on a USB bus weren't up to snuff (mainland China products).

     

    Chris

     

    http://archimago.blogspot.com/2018/08/demo-musings-lets-listen-to-some-jitter.html

    http://nwavguy.blogspot.com/2011/02/jitter-does-it-matter.html

    https://www.stereophile.com/content/2020-jitter-measurements

     

    Many times I almost pulled the trigger on a Linx audio card to get the AES.

     

    I am Married to a PC....I want this simplification.  I'm sure I've built between 200-300 PC's for novelty.  I got a bunch of extras laying around everywhere.  

     

    Guys. I hear all yall.  I've read exhaustively on other ways to hook up.   This thread was to explore USB.....not all the other ways to use the DAC with other connection types.

    The rabbit hole of USB audio connection "upgrades"

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

    3 minutes ago, CECAA850 said:

    You don't have HDMI on your computer?  If so, just that and a $45 HDMI extractor that converts to optical.  I've found that with my DACS in the past it sounds better than usb.  High end DACs handle usb better but mid to low end DACs, not so much in my experience.

     

    Very good point.  I've done that.  I used my oppo as an extractor then bought an extractor from Amazon to get me Coax SPDIF.  It was good...however, they did not have the resolution of the USB on this DAC.  I also have a optical out on my McIntosh Processor.

    The rabbit hole of USB audio connection "upgrades"

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

    2 minutes ago, rplace said:

    Is the goal to improve the sound by removing the noise? But the constraint is the source of the noise (the PC) has to remain? Furthermore, a Rpi solution like allo digione or hifiberry digi+ pro is not an option because your not "doing the whole raspberry thing". If so have you considered a DDC from Denafrips to sit between your PC and DAC? 

    https://www.denafrips.com/ddc

     

    If I'm wrong above, what are you trying to accomplish over your current configuration?

     

    I'm assuming USB out from the computer, please correct me if I'm wrong. What would be the input to the DAC SPDIF/I2S/AESEBU/OPT?

     

     

     

    I stream video with audio from the PC so I don't want to move onto the "berries".

     

    The Denafrips appears to convert USB to other digital outputs before my DAC.  I would prefer to use the USB input on my DAC.

     

    I'm not having a problem per se with what I am doing now.  The USB input on my Yggy seems to have a better detail and resolution than the SPDIF options.  However, a bit sterile or bright at times.  Using a cheap cable.  So I would like to keep this connectivity but wanted to hear options of those that kept this connectivity but invested and tried upgrades of this path.

     

    For instance.....the USB card as stated above, or

    IFI defender

    IFI purifier

    iFi Nano iGalvanic3.0

    AudioQuest JitterBug

    Intona USB 3.0 Galvanic Isolator

    SOtM tX-USBhubIn

    UpTone Audio USB Regen

    USBe Perfect

    tX-USBUltra

    ....and so on

    And a plethora of different USB cable options that make design claims of benefit.

     

    jc

     

     

     

     

    The rabbit hole of USB audio connection "upgrades"

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

    Now that is very interesting. I have considered a USB card out.

     

    Have you tried one or heard of one that is good?

     

    I have several spare computers laying around and I would certainly consider trying Linux.   I've used Linux in the past and what currently is a good download operating system that would have included drivers upon installation such as motherboard chipsets?

    The rabbit hole of USB audio connection "upgrades"

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

    I use the USB connection of my PC audio digital source to my Schiit Yggy.  

     

    There are an endless number of products to improve this connectivity especially coming from a PC.   This included "isolaters", "grounders", "cables, "hubs", "ie......   I have no plans to change my source such as a "silent pc" or doing the whole raspberry thing.  Also I don't wanna start the Roon endpoint stuff either.  I wanna keep my custom made PC with USB audio.  

     

    I've read on other forums the long threads on this subject.  Let me first throw out there.....Yes I get it if you think the data connection is just "1" and "0" s.  I don't really need to hear this argument again as there are certain individuals who refuse to listen.  If that is your opinion.....so be it.  I'd like to entertain some reasonable investment into this from those that have experience.  No I'm not talking about a $1000 USB cable.  I'm not doing that.  I am interested in purchasing some items to possibly improve the results from cables to other inserted gadgetry in the connection line.

     

    jc

     

     

     

     

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