Bits are bits ...

[microstrip]

An interesting thread starting at the PSAudio site:

We all understand that audio sent over USB sounds different than the same bits sent over coax via S/PDIF or TOSLINK, or a balanced cable, or I2S over HDMI, or through a CAT5 cable, or WIFI over the home network.

But why?


http://www.pstracks.com/pauls-posts/is-it-possible/12984/

 

[DonH50]

It's what the receiver, clocking circuits, DACs, output buffers and filters, etc. do with the bits after they receive them. And of course that includes any influence of the link itself, e.g. power/ground noise through the USB compared to optical, And so forth. Bits are bits but what we do with them is important.

 

[Ronm1]

It's what the receiver, clocking circuits, DACs, output buffers and filters, etc. do with the bits after they receive them. And of course that includes any influence of the link itself, e.g. power/ground noise through the USB compared to optical, And so forth. Bits are bits but what we do with them is important.

Which is why IMHO this data should never be equated to typical ASCII computer data.

 

[Bruce B]

There are too many variables trying to compare different formats. There is not a single driver that can do all USB, SDIF-3, AES/EBU, I2S and such. Not to mention construction and implementation differences between the cables and connections.