optical usb versus spdif

[leifchristensen]

hello folks
in the persuit of being able to play hi-rez through my Buffalo 9008 (and 9032 in a week or so) i manged to hook up to my musicservers motherboard via the on board spdif output.
so now I´m running BOTH opticis optical usb(with proper psu) and 10m spdif (of decent quality) up from my musicserver in the basement and into the Buffalo.
at the flick of a few dipswitches  I´m now able to A/B the 2 different connections:
the spdif much to my surprise sounds crisper and a little less "dull" than the usb.despite that jitter-wise the spdif is supposed to be inferior according to some sources
the bonus is of course that the spdif will transfer hi-rez as well.
so that was a positive experience for me
any other views on the matter?
best
Leif
Norway

[SeVeReD]

hello folks
in the persuit of being able to play hi-rez through my Buffalo 9008 (and 9032 in a week or so) i manged to hook up to my musicservers motherboard via the on board spdif output.
so now I´m running BOTH opticis optical usb(with proper psu) and 10m spdif (of decent quality) up from my musicserver in the basement and into the Buffalo.
at the flick of a few dipswitches  I´m now able to A/B the 2 different connections:
the spdif much to my surprise sounds crisper and a little less "dull" than the usb.despite that jitter-wise the spdif is supposed to be inferior according to some sources
the bonus is of course that the spdif will transfer hi-rez as well.
so that was a positive experience for me
any other views on the matter?
best
Leif
Norway

I've had an opticis plus battery psu lying around the house for awhile now.  I tried it when I was running usb straight to the Stello DAC.  I didn't care for it as much as just running a meter of usb cable that I found better than others I'd tried.  Only reason I've held onto the opticis is to maybe use with a computer HT I keep thinking about (just use a ps3 atm).  Now I have the FF800 and using its spdif out to the stello, much better than usb (and ya, I tried all the different usb ports on the comp).  USB at least into the Stello, just didn't work for me.  I've heard a system with the Wavlength Silver Crimson using the opticis that was awesome... but it had a lot of other things going on we'd have to factor in.

[Nido]

What brand of 10m spdif (of decent quality) do you use?

[leifchristensen]

I´ve just ordered this one (1694A with RCA/RCA)and expect to receive it within next week
http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/digital-audio/index.htm
the one I use now is from a RATSHACK like store in Norway and I don´t remember the name but it seems wellbuilt and generates no artifacts as far as I am aware of
will be back with difference
best
Leif

[PeterSt]

Leif - you might do youself a favor with this :

Try to lend something like a Firface, but in advance of that, get a 10m Firewire cable (they exist, though harder to get - hence you may need to get it from abroad); with the Fireface that works OK. Now, put that Fireface next to your equipment, and compare the 10m Coax with Coax of 1m or so (your Buffalo obviously hooked to the Coax).

After that you (most probably) will know that what you are up to now is not the way to go. I know ...
Or you don't do that test, and you will never know what could be achieved. Also good.

10m SPDIF Coax is really too long. Toslink I don't know, except for that it is not good in the first place (conversions, jitter).


Lastly, keep in mind that comparing SPDIF with USB is a kind of apples and oranges in the first place, because both won't have the same conversion means at the DAC end. For your DAC this is "as is" of course, but it doesn't mean that SPDIF or USB by itself is better. Then of course for your one and only DAC the best result counts.

Peter


PS: With my USB DAC I just used 11m of passive USB cable (actually 4.5m + 4.5m + 2m) but this is a self powered DAC.

[thermalbat]

Hi Y'all- I just registered-my girlfriend said that I shouldn't check the box that says I'm over 10 years old.

  Anyway, I often read that toslink is NOT a good way to go-but right now I'm listening to
a pair of AVI ADM9.1's using the toslink connection(and XXHighEnd-of course!)-and it sounds pretty damn good.
Any opinions?

  Rich W

[bgt]

I prefer the Toslink connection over coax. Less high freq. polution and easier to work with. Tested it both but I preferred the toslink. I know its a sinn saying that but hey.....it just sounded better with toslink.
The buffalo is making the jitter irrelevant probably.