Apparently, at the level of the two streamers I have here, the Sonore Signature Rendu SE Deluxe optical and the Innuos Stream 3 with PhoenixUSB Reclocker, the USB outputs are optimized to connect directly with a DAC and stuff in the way can actually cause issues with impedances and clocking, and actually increase jitter. In trying to achieve the best do no harm hub, I found the HiFi Rose RSA720. Unfortunately, when using only the USB input and outputs on the RSA720 you do not receive the benefit of optical isolation. Also unfortunate is that the HiFi Rose RSA720 requires that the chosen output be changed within the streaming protocol, usually by selecting one of two endpoints but it simply doesn’t work with the Sonore streamer since Roon sees the streamer as the endpoint, and not the connected DACs. I am still committed to using USB with the two DACs as it sounds best but the inability to achieve a high quality method of easily switching between them without changing cables is certainly frustrating.
USB Cable Switcher?
I want the (permanent) ability to switch between two DACs from a single source, in my main system. Right now, I do that by connecting the USB output from my streamer to a DDC, which offers multiple outputs. However, it seems none of the popular DDCs include USB as an output option. What I would really like is to have a device that would accept a single USB input (from my streamer) and then offer two USB outputs that are selectable and isolated from each other to prevent ground loops and other issues that would be detrimental to sound quality.
As simple as that sounds (to me) there must be a reason it is difficult to accomplish, or maybe I am not looking in the right places. Using AI, I did find this device (link) but I am curious whether any of you have found something else that performs this seemingly simple task (of being able to select one of two USB outputs).
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@mitch2 You did not try the Topping I recommend? It seems, so far, the only USB interface with isolation and switch features you are looking for in the market now. I recalled back then I searched high and low for a good hour to finally find it. I was surprised that, 3 weeks later, you are still stressed about it. Free return if you don’t like it. |
@lanx0003 - I actually had the Topping USB switch here but didn't try it because I found the HiFi Rose RSA720 and perceived that would be a higher quality hub, as was supported by my on-line research. At that time, I was mistakenly under the impression that the HiFi Rose unit provided galvanic optical isolation through either the USB-B input or the SFP, and I also had no idea that I would have such difficulties in facilitating the electronic switching between the two USB outputs. I now believe I would have the same connection issues with the Topping unit even though it has a switch to designate which output is being used. The problem is that the Sonore is the most sensitive streamer I have ever owned wrt establishing a handshake in order to join the network. It is really designed to operate one DAC, directly connected by a single dedicated USB cable. Therefore, if I want to keep using two DACs, each connected using a USB cable, then I am going to have to switch USB cables and reboot whenever I want to change DACs. The easy solution is to go back to the Singxer SU6 DDC. The connection between the Sonore Signature Rendu SE Deluxe optical and the Singxer DDC was rock solid and even though I sort of, maybe, perceive the sound to be a little better from both of the DACs I am using when fed through a direct USB connection, I can't really point out where AES or S/PDIF falls short. The two options are very close sonically, so the easy call would be to simply go back to using the DDC and then I could switch between DACs by switching preamp inputs using my remote from my chair. So much easier. Of course, the other solution is to purchase one solid-state DAC that wouldn't make me miss the Aries Cerat, if I were to sell it. Thanks for the suggestion and for trying to help! |
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