The Memory player

[SeVeReD]

When/If you try the usb input on your twin+ dac, make sure it is the only thing on usb.

Anyhoo, I don't see how firewire would be any better than usb,,, but I do know I can hear differences in usb cables (type/length), and if it shares any usb hub with something else that will affect SQ too....

I'm beginning to setup a friend's computer frontend.  He only needs a dac with one input.  I'm thinking about steering him toward:
http://www.scott-nixon.com/
the scott nixon UFO usb I2S tube dac.... (bottom of his page)





hmm I went into computer audio thinking this would be getting away from the tweak world.

[PeterSt]

Ok. I feel the urge to respond to this all, but I'm not sure I can have a real contribution. Just hunches, and those appear all so often to be right afterwards ...

About shutting down services and all ... no doubts. They help. About the hardware stuff ... hmm ...

It is my hunch that they help creating some consistent situation for an in fact further fixed environment. Think of a certain type of memory producing better results (SQ) when the other stuff is left alone, but when you e.g. change the PSU you'd have to again find the best memory. Note that I never tried, but I do know what XXHighEnd is doing ...

It is my hunch that whatever you do with the hardware, can be incurred for by software too, which in this case would be the Q1 slider. So what I say is, that when you found the best memory in your environment, this "other" memory can have the same results but with another Q1 setting.

Without reading all what is written on AA about these kind of things, I wonder what the explanation of guys with some insight in this would be. Maybe it all has been worked out, but I doubt it, because I think you cannot have the explanation. And mind you, a better PSU, less consuming memory, better physical stability ... I don't dig that. I mean, not without the good explanation to it. Not when your DAC is at the other end of a USB cable.

In the end there sure *is* an explanation, accepting that it matters indeed (SQ changes). So, personally I don't need proof of that.
My point is, that real explanation would be the same explanation I have, then caused by software.

That's it. My contribution. Not worth much, right ?

Peter

[Telstar]

When/If you try the usb input on your twin+ dac, make sure it is the only thing on usb.

Anyhoo, I don't see how firewire would be any better than usb,,, but I do know I can hear differences in usb cables (type/length), and if it shares any usb hub with something else that will affect SQ too....

I'm beginning to setup a friend's computer frontend.  He only needs a dac with one input.  I'm thinking about steering him toward:
http://www.scott-nixon.com/
the scott nixon UFO usb I2S tube dac.... (bottom of his page)

hmm I went into computer audio thinking this would be getting away from the tweak world.

Hmm, there must be also the cordless keyboard/mouse logitech set, but that's all. Anyway I'll test when i have all the equipment, so not so soon. But I will post my findings here.

My opinion (and it is supported by facts, which i'm too lazy and no tech enough to present) is this.
From less to more jitter (due to intrinsic limitations but also voltages, noise and whatsoever):

External Firewire dac
Extenal USB dac (USB to I2S)
External USB dac (USB to SPDIF)
Internal DAC (pci-e soundcard)
Internal DAC (pci soundcard)

Don't forget that firewire is used in professional audio and in modified version even in some high end audiophile gear.

Yeah, I also hoped to not have to optimize the hardware but only the software going pc route.