Optical vs usb ?

erniejade
erniejade Posts: 6,321
in For Sale (FS) Classifieds
I was reading an article on usb vs optical output. Anyone ever do an actual listening comparison? While on paper i understand the theory on usb introducing noise where optical is a cleaner more isolated source, anyone actually do a listening comparison?
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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,204
    You know good and well you have to list a price? :p:D


    I've never done a comparison. I very, very seldom use usb personally. Though my Audioquest Dragonfly was usb and I was happy with the sound. Interesting question and I look forward to hearing others experiences.
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
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  • msg
    msg Posts: 10,021
    I'm curious about this as well, recently messing with USB, though haven't actually listened closely myself.

    This in reference to DAC input, yes? and from a computer?
    I disabled signatures.
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  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    From a streamer or computer to a dac. I have a aries mini coming thats going to go to a tube dac. I have been reading quite a bit on theory but, none have actually said they tried both going to the same dac.
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  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    Wow shoot. I thought i put this in the digital section not the classified section. Sorry about that folks!
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  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    There's gotta be a badge for that! @Hermitism where are you? :smile:
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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,204
    erniejade wrote: »
    Wow shoot. I thought i put this in the digital section not the classified section. Sorry about that folks!

    I'm sure the mods will get it moved for you :#
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
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  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    PSOVLSK wrote: »
    erniejade wrote: »
    Wow shoot. I thought i put this in the digital section not the classified section. Sorry about that folks!

    I'm sure the mods will get it moved for you :#

    You should try stand up comedy! :D
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,963
    Depends on the implimentations of the USB in your piece. Some are very good, others it was more so an after thought. If your referring to the Grant tube dac, the USB isn't that great. I like digital coax myself.
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  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,788
    edited March 2019
    Can 1s and 0s tell the difference between copper/silver or optic transfer?

    If we can....why shouldn't they?

    Will those electrons or photons thumb their nose at each other's means of transfer?

    Are the differences of each a matter of matter?

    I pose these questions in hopes of a spirited yet civil debate....
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  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,788
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  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    On that line, i definitely heard a big difference between a pangea usb cable and the wireworld platinum 7.



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  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    https://www.cnet.com/news/the-audiophiliac-asks-the-experts-do-digital-audio-connections-sound-different/

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  • CottageChz
    CottageChz Posts: 389
    I've wondered this myself. I play my digital music via USB, as my amplifier has only one USB and one optical input, and the optical is already used for the connection to my TV. Will be taking a look at this Cnet article.
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  • smglbrth
    smglbrth Posts: 1,471
    Good article, I have one piece of equipment that can use AES/EBU which does me no good. I use coaxial, somewhere I read that optical can’t transfer the bandwidth/bits that coaxial can.
    Remember, when you're running from something, you're running to something...-me
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  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    I have a Aries mini with a TeraDak power supply that should be at my door today. Within the next few weeks, I am going to check it out myself. I picked up Stangmans's wireworld coax cable to keep it more fair since I have a wireworld Platinum Starlight 7 USB cable. Granted his is the silver but, it still should get me close enough.

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