@fastfreight yep. Highly dependent on the network cards implementation. As well as the streamer you’re comparing it to. Grimm MU1 is supposed to be a really amazing streamer/Roon core.
Meitner EMM Labs, Playback Designs and dCS use Converse Digital streaming cards. They’re top notch.
Bricasti uses some other network card…not sure what it is.
When I had Lumin U1 Mini and Bricasti M3 I couldn’t tell the difference between using Lumin and built in M3 network card. Aurender N200 destroyed the M3 network card in sound quality. The difference was exactly what you described - the sound was more alive, more articulate and engaging.
With Meitner MA3i I found the in-built streamer to sound livelier that the N200. But just as refined. It was a bitter sweet moment selling the Aurender as I really liked it. But I didn’t see any value in keeping it as it would be collecting dust.
Asynchronous USB vs. SPDIF with regard to DAC upgrade
My system consists of the following:
- Weiss 204 DAC with Modwright Linear Power Supply
- Lumin U2 Mini streamer with LHY Linear Power Supply
- Conrad Johnson Et-7 linestage
- Bryston 4B3 cubed power amplifier
- JBL 4349 horn loaded loudspeaker (sounds great at moderate levels)
Seeking a dac upgrade with a budget of $14,000.00. (new only)
At first I was only looking for Coax via SPDIF, but then an audiogon member educated me to the fact that with a USB Audio connection the internal clock is controlled by the Dac and not the streamer as streamers usually will not have the same clock quality as a high end Dac. I should mention do not use my computer in my system. The two candidates are the Weiss DAC 501 MKII and the Berkely Audio Alpha Series 3. I was advised that the Berkely does not come with a USB port and this is an add on. I believe Berkely did not want to put the USB intterface in the Dac itself to avoid USB noise that comes from a computer. My reading and research tells me a asynchronous USB port will sound better, less jitter than a coax SPDIF. Does anybody have any thoughts or suggestion? Thank you.
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My Innuos Statement has separate OCXO clocks for its USB and Ethernet outputs, and the USB is supposed to be very good. I prefer the Ethernet output. My Lampizator Goldengate3 has the JL Sounds USB upgrade card, I prefer the S/PDIF input. I can run straight USB from Statement to GG3 with a FTA Sinope cable, Ethernet from the Statement to GG3 USB or USB from the Statement to GG3 S/PDIF. I always prefer eliminating the USB output and or input. I do have USB in the chain, Sonore Signature SE Deluxe to Antipodes S20 but the net effect is beneficial. I understand there are now USB outputs and inputs that sound better than S/PDIF AES/ABU but they are in very high end devices, or I have chosen my gear poorly.
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A few thoughts based on recent experience. I upgraded from a Weiss 205 with Fidelizer linear PSU to a Weiss DAC 501 Mk II, and it was a significant upgrade. Other DACs I have owned are the Chord DAVE/M Scaler, Nagra Tube DAC, Ayre QX5 Twenty, Mytek Manhattan II amongst others. They are all good DACs, but I rate the 501 Mk II more highly than any of these, based on my personal preferences. I do not agree with the comment above that it is too detail oriented and analytical. It is neutral and accurate without artificial warmth or bloom, but is full sounding, as well as being musical and engaging. I have not heard the Berkely so don't know how it would compare. I have compared USB vs SPDIF and AES/EBU with the Weiss 501 Mk II a number of times, most recently in the last few days. I use a custom made PC based on a fanless NUC with linear PSU as a music server, and use its USB output either directly to the DAC, or to a Matrix X Spdif 3 and then SPDIF or AES/EBU into the DAC. The Matrix is also powered separately by a Fidelizer PSU. The USB input of the Weiss 501 Mk II is very good. But it definitely sounds better through the SPDIF or AES/EBU inputs (depending on the cable) via the Matrix X Spdif 3, rather than using USB directly into the DAC. The sound is richer, fuller, slightly warmer, and slightly quieter. Obviously, this is based on my specific configuration, and digital audio is very system dependent. The ethernet input of the DAC is also excellent, but again the SPDIF and AES inputs are noticeably better in my system. In other words, if you get the Weiss 501 Mk II - which you should certainly try to hear, because it is one of the best DACs currently available - you will need to experiment to see what input sounds best, because it is highly system (and cable) dependent. If you are using an external streamer, it will also depend on the streamer quality, including its own clock and internal PSU. |
That makes sense @rossb a computer used as a streamer via USB is never an optimized streaming solution. Especially one that doubles as Roon Core. What your Matrix is doing is reclocking the USB signal as part of converting it to SPDIF. That will improve jitter levels going into your DAC and the final result is better sonics. With a dedicated streamer such as U2 Mini you get an optimized USB output that’s prioritized for audio. It’s never the case with a computer. It’s easy for the OP to test this. Get a USB cable that’s comparable in quality to the SPDIF that he’s using currently and compare it within his current Lumin and Weiss 204 setup.
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