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How to Connect DAC's USB Port to Ethernet Cable

My DAC is a Bricasti M21. I would like to try streaming native DSD256 files using the DACs true 1-bit DSD.

Music is currently streamed using Audirvana on my android phone from a network switch using the DACs ethernet port with an ethernet cable. The DAC can only stream DSD256 files using its USB port. I’d like keep the ethernet connection to stream other file types and Qobuz. I can switch to the DACs USB port using the remote when I want to listen to DSD256 files.

The computer with the DSD256 files is downstairs and the Bricasti is upstairs. How do I add a cord from the network switch in the music room to the DACs USB port? Do I need a separate box in the music room that converts the network ethernet signal to a USB signal or can I use a USB-B to ethernet adapter?

I already contacted the manufacturer, but the person I talked with said they have never tried this before.

bigby
richardbrand's avatar
richardbrand
1,385 posts
 

@carlsbad2 Ethernet is a very low-level protocol for transmitting data packets.  It does not guarantee the timing of those packets, nor even whether they will be delivered.  Higher level protocols can ensure delivery (by retransmitting missing packets).  The contents of the payloads are not determined by Ethernet either - anything that can be processed and expressed as packetised data can be transmitted and that includes every digital audio format.  The transmitter and the receiver have to agree on the higher level protocols.

Then there's that USB term which covers everything from the original 4 wire specification (2 data, 2 power), right up to the latest with 24 wires.  My partner's lightweight Dell XPS 13 notebook has not got much room for physical connections, so an adapter takes USB input and spits out HDMI, Ethernet and legacy video.

vinylshadow
556 posts
 

I don't understand why people feel the need to listen to upsampled music from a streamer/DAC. Most recordings were done in 16/44 and sound best that way. 24/96 "just makes stuff up". 

mahler123
3,998 posts
 

You have a DAC that costs at least $15K.  Why fool around with an adapter that probably won’t handle DSD files?

  I would add another computer or streamer to the room that has the Bricasti and play the DSD files into the USB of the DAC.  The cost will be what, $1K at most?  It’s a fraction of what you already spent on the DAC

carlsbad2's avatar
carlsbad2
2,036 posts
 

@richardbrand i think you meant to @ the OP.

cleeds
6,562 posts
 

vinylshadow

Most recordings were done in 16/44 and sound best that way.

That's mistaken - 16/44.1 is a consumer format. Pros were using 16/48 even in the early days of digital, and resolution has been increasing ever since.

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