In Reply to: high performance = higher-quality signal transfer = better SQ posted by Leo loves music on April 27, 2025 at 13:38:17:
I understand that 'high performance'is banded around in audio circles as there really aren't any definitive benchmarks. I see its use to mean 'I like this product so it must be good', which is a recommendation but not definitive.
Disclaimer, I have never experimented with CD transports but I know how they work and this is one area of audio where, if there really is a difference in SQ between transports there must be an answer. The ones I've identified are:
1. Is the data being sent correctly, or the same, in both cases?
2. Is there a difference in jitter between the cases?
3. Does one conduct more electrical noise into the external DAC, or is the DAC more susceptible to the noise from one connection compared to the other?
IMHO, there is no 'high quality signal transfer' in the case of SPDIF. The data is either received correctly of not, there is no 'more correct'. In your case, unless the original signal level is so marginal it is not being decoded I would expect the data to be the same and the recieved jitter level to be dominated by the SPDIF receiver in the DAC that acts as a filter to incoming jitter. Anyway, congrats on your result and there is no worry that we'll all run out and copy you as you've 'painted' over the solution:)Edit - after posting I saw Abe's responses that probably hold the answer.
Edits: 04/27/25
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Follow Ups
- RE: high performance = higher-quality signal transfer = better SQ - 13th Duke of Wymbourne 18:33:50 04/27/25 (7)
- RE: high performance = higher-quality signal transfer = better SQ - Leo loves music 18:51:18 04/27/25 (6)
- RE: high performance = higher-quality signal transfer = better SQ - AbeCollins 19:33:49 04/27/25 (5)
- RE: high performance = higher-quality signal transfer = better SQ - Leo loves music 19:45:52 04/27/25 (4)
- Your stock SPDIF output was essentially broken.... - AbeCollins 20:19:06 04/27/25 (3)
- RE: Your stock SPDIF output was essentially broken.... - Leo loves music 20:26:32 04/27/25 (2)
- Some audiophile gear can do that too..... - AbeCollins 20:48:18 04/27/25 (1)
- RE: Some audiophile gear can do that too..... - Leo loves music 02:19:40 04/28/25 (0)