RE: Me too: I use both

Posted by AbeCollins (A) on January 13, 2020 at 10:32:20

In Reply to: RE: Me too: I use both posted by dbphd on January 12, 2020 at 17:08:59:

IMHO there is not a huge 'sonic' difference between well implemented USB, SPDIF, or whether Ethernet is introduced. So in my view, one uses what works best for the situation at hand.

For example, I would not run 100-feet of USB cable but running 100-feet of Ethernet is perfectly fine on an Ethernet network. And if there's no need for lengthy Ethernet there's nothing wrong with a couple feet of USB or SPDIF.

So no, Ethernet is not necessary. As an example, if your setup consists of one 'music server' and one DAC in a common one room setup, I see no need for Ethernet. Just use USB or SPDIF (or TOSLINK or I2S over HDMI or AES/EBU or Thunderbolt, or legacy Firewire).

Now if you want to split audiophile pubic hairs over 1ps of jitter vs 10ps and 1uV of noise vs 10uV of noise with Ethernet galvanic or optical isolation vs USB or SPDIF, go right ahead! You can go that route but I personally approach systems with a more practical approach first - then split hairs later if you find it intriguing.

Since MY music resides on a NAS, Ethernet is the standard method of connection into a NAS. Since my commercial microRendu 'streamer' has a USB output, I use USB between it an my DAC. Since my Raspberry Pi 'streamers' have SPDIF outputs, I use SPDIF to my DAC. But both of these get their music data over Ethernet so I obviously need Ethernet as well.

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Ethernet v USB - dbphd 05:13:20 01/12/20 (23)

RE: Ethernet v USB - Dave_K 11:14:17 01/14/20 (8)

RE: Ethernet v USB - dbphd 11:40:20 01/14/20 (0)

"I like being able to use the same server and control point/UI regardless of where I'm trying to play music. " - E-Stat 11:22:15 01/14/20 (6)

Ditto ..... I've got 7 Systems ................ - Cut-Throat 11:10:46 01/16/20 (5)

Cool! - E-Stat 15:38:01 01/16/20 (4)

You reminded me ................. - Cut-Throat 16:16:25 01/16/20 (3)

OK, I gotta chime in too then ;-) - AbeCollins 09:33:25 01/18/20 (2)

RE: OK, I gotta chime in too then ;-) - dbphd 22:00:28 01/19/20 (1)

RE: OK, I gotta chime in too then ;-) - dbphd 03:33:59 01/21/20 (0)

I use both - E-Stat 12:08:51 01/12/20 (5)

Me too: I use both - AbeCollins 14:21:00 01/12/20 (4)

RE: Me too: I use both - dbphd 17:08:59 01/12/20 (2)

RE: Me too: I use both - AbeCollins 10:32:20 01/13/20 (1)

RE: Me too: I use both - dbphd 18:44:08 01/13/20 (0)

Except that both USB and LMS suck... - Ivan303 17:03:06 01/12/20 (0)

RE: Ethernet v USB - cawson@onetel.com 09:42:02 01/12/20 (6)

RE: Ethernet v USB - Ryelands 11:24:32 01/12/20 (3)

RE: Ethernet v USB - cawson@onetel.com 04:55:46 01/13/20 (2)

RE: Ethernet v USB - dbphd 09:29:14 01/13/20 (1)

RE: Ethernet v USB - greyscale 10:03:44 01/13/20 (0)

RE: Ethernet v USB - dbphd 11:10:16 01/12/20 (1)

RE: Ethernet v USB - Ryelands 12:47:30 01/12/20 (0)

I'm done with USB... - Ivan303 09:19:23 01/12/20 (0)

Follow Ups

RE: Me too: I use both - AbeCollins 10:32:20 01/13/20 (1)

RE: Me too: I use both - dbphd 18:44:08 01/13/20 (0)

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