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Summing up USB DACS

Paul's Posts — 16 September 2012

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Summing up USB DACS

In the last days of posts I have been covering what it takes to play music to a USB connected DAC.  We’ve learned what the various formats of music we can play are and how they work – as well we’ve learned that the player itself contributes mightily to the sound quality of what we’re playing.

Perhaps the biggest lesson we’ve learned is that when you connect a DAC to your computer through a hard wire, like a USB connection, you are at the mercy of the computer’s player program for the final outcome of your music.  This fact is why there are so many aftermarket programs like Audiorvana, Bit Perfect, Foobar, Amarra, Pure Music and the list goes on for both Windows and Mac.  In fact, the list grows almost every day.

But next we want to explore another alternative: a network player.  Different from a hard wired USB player, a network music player doesn’t necessarily use the player in your computer and instead uses its own built in player.  Moreover, a network player isn’t restricted to the length of USB cable, the quality of the USB cable and can be located anywhere in your home – even miles away if you wish – all without any affect on the sound quality.

Tomorrow we start to understand networks and then network players.

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About Author

Paul McGowan

Paul McGowan is the CEO and co-founder of PS Audio Inc. a Boulder Colorado design and manufacturing company of high-end audio products and services. McGowan has been designing and building high-end products for nearly 40 years. Hobbies include skiing, music, hiking, artisan bread baking, kick boxing and cooking. He lives in Boulder Colorado with his wife Terri and his 4 sons.

(4) Readers Comments

  1. Tom

    September 16, 2012 at 7:07 am

    I’m so ready to read your views on networking. There’s something that bothers me about the idea of sticking a computer or USB drive in the midst of my audio gear. I just don’t want to see it there. I think it reminds me too much of work.

  2. coppy

    September 16, 2012 at 7:26 am

    As always, this series is very interesting. Maybe it will help me get over my concern that the whole streaming music thing isn’t quite ready for prime time. Apple is a fine standard for ease of use. After 55 years as an audio guy, I can put a record on or plug an SACD into my Marantz SA-7 and get lots of great music. It may not be as flexible but it works fine. The Meridian Sooloos may be an answer but I’m not sure even that system has truly accurate reproduction. Your separates are perhaps a better selection. Thanks again for the terrific information.

    • September 16, 2012 at 12:15 pm

      There’s no question streaming hasn’t yet hit the big time but it’s close – especially when Apple is involved. Even the totally hip in-crowd of 20 to 40 year olds haven’t yet all figured out Airplay but it won’t take too long with their muscle behind it.

  3. Dmitrylo

    September 16, 2012 at 11:02 pm

    I’m sure than USB – it’s a wrong way. I use PWD MkII with custom build computer. It has PCI-audiointerface ($200) with good coaxial out. It has no HDD – оnly one SSD. It has a huge amount of memory (DDR3 is very chip now) and my player has a RAM-drive of 4Gb. FLAC-files are copied from network to RAM-drive and played from memory. Sound is perfect. I’ve tested many network players (for exemple very expensive Ayon S-3) and no one can compete with my computer and PWD mkII.

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