Roon-DSP: USB or Ethernet?

[dreipass (Tim)]

Hi,
I’m going to build a new hardware setup and therefor have a big decision in front of me: DAC only or Streamer/Dac-Combo.

If I use a Roon Core also as a player (which is possible, wright?) and go via USB into the DAC: is there a remarkable difference soundwise (resolution, jitter, noisefloor, dynamics and so on) against using a streamer/DAC-Combo vie Ethernet-LAN (given, that both units have theoretically the same quality in sound)?

Thanks for any hints and advices.

Thanks

For whom ist interested in Hardware-Details:
Roon Core is a Silent Angel Rhein Z1 v1, connected vie Ethernat to a Streamer/Dac Teac UD-701 - but thinking about to replace it with a Holo Audio Spring 3 (Dac only!) which only could be feed by USB or SPDIF.

[BlackJack]

Please read the following thread where all has already been said:

What can/does a Roon Nucleus Do and how do I play through Roon in another room?

I have enjoyed Roon for many years in a very simple system (Nucleus → Novafidelity X45 → Meridian M20 active speakers). However, it appears that Novafidelity/Cocktail audio has folded in UK, my X45 has stopped receiving any firmware updates and will probably soon be obsolete/incompatible. I have been thinking about replacing it and recently consulted a respected local HiFi retailer. He showed me various expensive alternative streamers/preamps/DACs in various combinations. I asked why I could…

[David_Snyder]

@dreipass

Roon Core is a Silent Angel Rhein Z1 v1, connected vie Ethernat to a Streamer/Dac Teac UD-701 - but thinking about to replace it with a Holo Audio Spring 3 (Dac only!) which only could be feed by USB or SPDIF.

I don’t know what the rest of your system looks like, but I suspect it’s sufficiently resolving to show audible differences among transports feeding your proposed Holo Audio Spring 3 DAC.

I don’t know how effective the features in the Rhein Z1 are (listed below). The good news is that you can start with the new DAC and always add a network audio bridge or streaming transport later if you don’t love the sound. One step at a time will be more fun anyway.

Z1 is born to pursue enhanced audio performance without any compromise.

• High-performance yet low-power (6W) Intel CPU.
• Advanced circuitry with high quality components.
• Audio-grade SSD for system and music data storage. Noise-reduction via SATA signal optimization. Special-picked SSD modules with EMI absorber and special power regulation circuit inside to isolate the power noise from the SSD controller chip.

[Marin_Weigel (Bram Stoker's Cappuccino)]

@dreipass

USB into the DAC: is there a remarkable difference soundwise (resolution, jitter, noisefloor, dynamics and so on) against using a streamer/DAC-Combo vie Ethernet-LAN

Both USB and Ethernet connections transfer data packets and not a music signal, so any degradation caused by them would be audible as clicks, pops, drop-outs, or unrelated to the music noises as caused by subpar USB implementations, but not in any audiophile language kind of descriptors.

Whatever is audible is measurable as well, and there’s no evidence established, that would substantiate claims by whomever tries to convince you into buying digital audiophile paraphernalia.

So try USB, and if there are no audible glitches, be done with confidence.

It’s better to not get caught by FOMO and the cycle of confusion, but if you really want to splurge, invest in better performing speakers, room acoustics and then don’t miss to implement DSP room correction.