Rereading OP two posts, I see that he keeps referring to “usb sound”. Keep in mind that there are different ways to transmit digital data. usb was originally created for multiple uses, with transmission of audio being not the first priority. It delivers the digital stream in packers instead of one continuous flow. The other digital transmission schemes (Optical, also known as toslink, and coax, also known as as S/PDIF, are the most common) deliver a continuous flow (stream). Wireless transmission is known as WiFI.
Why stream?
OK, I've been around the low end of the high end for 40 years, but the learning curve for digital audio has been steep. Needing a better DAC, I acquired a Cambridge 851N and started streaming. Yeah, this device is now Tidal-friendly. But Tidal streams at 44.1kHz, while Cambridge plays everything from USB -- Tidal, Spotify, Pandora Radio, iTunes library -- at 96kHz. Last night I used Spotify to find and play obscure old stuff listed on cassette tapes I made from 1975-1989. The sound (better amplification and speakers now, of course) was revelatory. Rather than exposing a thousand flaws, in most cases the Cambridge DAC/USB found unsuspected delights in these old (NON-remastered) recordings.
So, my question is simply: why stream when you get better sound from USB? I know Qobuz does 96, but no way it can match my library, and it can't beat USB from Spotify, which found every selection except one obscurity from De Danann, which I probably mistyped anyhow.
So, my question is simply: why stream when you get better sound from USB? I know Qobuz does 96, but no way it can match my library, and it can't beat USB from Spotify, which found every selection except one obscurity from De Danann, which I probably mistyped anyhow.
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- 11 posts total
- 11 posts total