I agree. But I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about the network stack on the streamer and how network jitter could influence things like interrupts and higher load on the CPU / PCI (or other) bus which could then make subtle differences in sound quality.
I’m going to link to some work @David_Snyder did a long while back to look at RTTs using various OSs on the same streamer hardware. To his ears, at least, lower RTT tended to provide an overall better SQ. I’ve also heard differences with different kernel versions when using a CM3 and that’s with no network changes. So, just looking at network isn’t the whole story here. And, believe me, I’m a network engineer of a few years and I can argue all day long about why the network doesn’t matter here… but then I’d be ignoring how the OS and applications function which is actually more complicated these days.
I could also theorize all day long why things like network jitter influences sound quality on specific OS / hardware combinations but I just don’t have the time to test any of those theories so I won’t waste anyone’s time.
Link to post…