USB or spdif output?

Posted by: Sloop John B on 04 February 2014

if your source has both outputs, which is the best to use? (which sounds better? Or is it another subjective opinion?)

I have a SBT which has both but the question must apply to other sources too.

For or the sake of my question lets's presume the DAC can handle asynchronous USB.

Posted on: 04 February 2014 by Bart

Originally Posted by Sloop John B:

if your source has both outputs, which is the best to use? (which sounds better? Or is it another subjective opinion?)

I have a SBT which has both but the question must apply to other sources too.

For or the sake of my question lets's presume the DAC can handle asynchronous USB.

You got the answer right yourself -- "which sounds better." Use the better-sounding output.

There is no universal truth re: usb is always/never better than spdif on all devices.

Plus . . . there is output, and then there is input. You can't answer the question in your case without knowing whether the asynch. usb input on that dac is "better" than the spdif input.

In short, it's a multivariate equation, and you're trying solve only for x.

(It's a very reasonable question to ask, just not one that is solvable imho.)

Posted on: 04 February 2014 by phil. S

I did the EDO firmware upgrade (higher bit rates) on the SBT which then allows you to use the USB out into an asynchronious DAC, I use an HRT Microstreamer. I power both the SBT and DAC with a iUSB power supply. It all sounds bloody superb.

Posted on: 05 February 2014 by Sloop John B

Perhaps if I change the question slightly, taking the above points on board.

all things being equal does either spdif or USB have any inherent advantages / disadvantages over each other if both implemented to exacting (eg Naim) standards?

for example optical seems less prone to RFI compared to coaxial.

SJB