DAC connection: which type gives highest fidelity?


Suppose one wants to connect two digital devices, as in a streamer to an outboard DAC or similar.

Which is the highest fidelity connection?  USB, coaxial, or other?

Thanks!
bobbydd

Showing 1 response by ghdprentice

It depends. Generally optical is not good, skip that one. But USB versus SP/DIF or AES depends on the DAC since USB requires the DAC to retime the signal the others do not. So, it depends on the quality of the DAC versus the source. Generally, AES or double AES should be better than single ended SP/Diff.