What is the best Digital Interface? USB or S/PDIF?
Or does it really matter whether it's USB or S/PDIF, assuming you are using a quality, high end DAC?
My experiences with the TSDX and DAC2X showed me the ST Optical cables are (highly) directional, different lengths do matter (1m vs 4m lengths), and that there could even be sonic differences between 2 cables of the same brand, and the same lengths.
Could this be due to the varying air gap distances between connecting joints?
Who knows?
But I'm not very keen on applying opti-gel between the connecting joints.
My experience has been different. I've used 1m and up to 100' with no detectable difference.
Do you find them to be directional? That one is a bit mysterious...
Tim
Wrong question. The right question concerns the DAC. Choose the DAC that you like and it will likely determine which way it can connect. Most only have one way. But, the DAC is much more important than the computer, O/S, cables or anything else.
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Do you find them to be directional? That one is a bit mysterious...
Tim
I didn't hear a difference directionally either. I am using the garden variety orange cables you get from Fry's.
Not really. The new CA architecture that has evolved is more complex, with decoupled tasks and dedicated boxes, such as streamers, servers, dacs, etc., which frequently outperform the laptop computer most use today.
And it’s more than just the dac you like. What if you find a better dac? What if other components in your system change breaking up synergy? What if you start to prefer a different flavor in your dac? Or what if there is a technological advance you want to take advantage of, and need to swap out some components in this new CA architecture? So depending on the digital components you choose, you don't want to get locked in.
I am using the stock orange colour cables, provided by emm lab.
I also bought 2 pairs of 4 meters from that link you provided previously.
All 5 pieces are directional. Meaning they sound better connected only in one direction, and not the other.
The changes in soundstage height, width, and depth, plus soundstage perspective is unmistakeably audible.
All the 4 meter cables sounded "slow" compared to the stock, and imaging tend to be effusive and vague.
A fellow user of the TSDX / DAC2X brought over his original stock cable to my place and his cable also proved to be directional as well. (We subsequently found that he had been using it in the wrong direction...)
Both our stock cables sound slightly different, though the degree of difference is not as great as comparing between 1m vs the 4m lengths.
We were both contemplating - what if we apply the opti gel?
Will it even out the differences?
Anybody who has ever use any opti gel gel to maintain consistent refraction index please do share your experiences.
And also, does the gel ever get dried up?
If so, how to clean out the dried out jelly?????
Looks like the ST Optical interface is not such a "perfect" digital interface after all......
Not following you. There is always something better, but you always need a DAC. If your chosen DAC locks you into, say, USB, then so be it, temporarily. If you change your mind and later select a coax input DAC, it is not the end of the world. Get new cables and a coax output card to support that. I do not see why you are permanently locking yourself in. The advantage of computer based playback is flexibility and modifiability. You are locking yourself in just as much if you start with a coax only DAC. And, it might not be worthwhile to limit yourself to a DAC that can do both, either sound quality or cost-wise.
But, if maximum flexibility is what you want, then USB has a clear edge. My take is that there are many more USB DACS, especially Asynch USB, than coax or other interfaces, especially among newer ones.
And, I still maintain that the DAC has the greatest impact on sound. It alone converts digital data transfers to analog signal, each DAC having its own sonic signature or lack thereof. And, better DACS are more insulated from noise coming from the computer or the cables, hubs, etc. that might adversely influence the analog output. Also, there is much more available in add-on devices to shield the DAC from noise via USB than coax, if necessary, including galvanic isolation if you need it. I do not see that in coax.
Not following you. There is always something better, but you always need a DAC. If your chosen DAC locks you into, say, USB, then so be it, temporarily. If you change your mind and later select a coax input DAC, it is not the end of the world. Get new cables and a coax output card to support that. I do not see why you are permanently locking yourself in. The advantage of computer based playback is flexibility and modifiability. You are locking yourself in just as much if you start with a coax only DAC. And, it might not be worthwhile to limit yourself to a DAC that can do both, either sound quality or cost-wise.
But, if maximum flexibility is what you want, then USB has a clear edge. My take is that there are many more USB DACS, especially Asynch USB, than coax or other interfaces, especially among newer ones.
And, I still maintain that the DAC has the greatest impact on sound. It alone converts digital data transfers to analog signal, each DAC having its own sonic signature or lack thereof. And, better DACS are more insulated from noise coming from the computer or the cables, hubs, etc. that might adversely influence the analog output. Also, there is much more available in add-on devices to shield the DAC from noise via USB than coax, if necessary, including galvanic isolation if you need it. I do not see that in coax.
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