2. digital
  3. 133904-4132

Firewire immune to jitter?

I wonder if a firewire connected DAC is as problematic at rejecting jitter as a USB is and if there are reclockers available for firewire.

I currently have a MacBook pro running Audirvana+ feeding a Weiss DAC202 to it’s firewire input with satisfying sonic results. I really like the DAC202. Firewire cable is an Audiquest carbon.
But, would I be best to use the USB out of the Mac using a USB to S/PDIF converter into the rca input of the Weiss. I use to have one of those (a Wavelength I think) feeding an ARC DAC7 that could not process HR files through its USB input. I have since sold the DAC7 and gotten the Weiss.

I was also considering replacing the Mac with an Aurender N100h (Or similar) but many people are telling me that I must be prepared to spend mega bucks to better my current digital set up. 
Cost of an Aurender N100h or N100c
Cost of a new DAC (USB capable) but not necessary if using a N100c 
Cost of a reclocker (Synchromesh or similar)
Cost of USB, S/PDIF/BNC cables

I barely have enough money for an Aurender let alone all the peripherals mentioned above.

Note, I am not into MQA and DSD and will never be. If I want better sound than 16/44 or 24/96 I just put a vinyl on my $30k analog front end. 

Any thoughts much appreciated. And if the best solution is to leave everything as is then that’s cool too.



smoffatt

Showing 1 response by erik_squires

erik_squires
15,661 posts
 
I had the ARC DAC 8 - I would not judge most modern DAC's based on them at all.

Up to and including the DAC 8 they did not have "great" clocks, but only good clocks. There are a number of DAC's which outclass them by far in the USB realm.

Also, the issue with USB is as often power supply noise from the PC, including ground noise issues. If you have a laptop it is worth experimenting on battery power vs. not, and also consider a USB isolator.

Most top-tier DAC's now do much better in isolating the USB from the possibility of ground loops, but it's not guaranteed.

Also, tools like Wyred4Sound's Remedy reclocker work great with older generation DACs.

In the modern DAC realm I would encourage you to listen to Mytek and Schiit as excellent USB capable DAC's, especially in Redbook.

Best,

E
More to discover