USB vs AES/EBU vs SPDIF

[lschoonaert]

Hi,

I'm not a cable expert bit what would be the (dis)advantages of using either a USB or AES xlr or SPDIF optical cable from a music streamer (aurender for example) to a dac. Assuming distance is short and connections are available on both units for these cables.

Thanks
Luk

[musicman59]

The last one you want to use is the optical. I don't know the advantages/disadvantages between USB and digital XLR but in my experience I prefer the sound when using digital XLR.

[asindc]

AES/EBU if at all possible. Has consistently been the best option for me.

[doggiehowser]

if you are playing DSD files, most DACs only support DOP over USB

[jfrech]

I would guess AES #1, then SPDIF via BNC's 2nd. SPDIF via RCA's 3rd and USB 4th.

Although I think each option depends on how your particular equipment implements the outputs/inputs and to doggiehowser point sometimes you might have to use USB.

Speakers: Rockport Altair 2
Preamp: Robert Koda K10 Amp: Ayre MX-R
Cables: Transparent Opus MM2 Spkr, Opus Gen 5 & Magnum Opus Interconnect
Power Shunyata Triton v2/Typhon/DPC-6 v2, Anaconda Zitron cords (x6), Sigma HC (x1), Sigma Analog (x3)
Digital dCS Vivaldi DAC, Transport & Clock w/ Transparent Reference XL Digital cables
Phono: Grand Prix Monaco TT, Spiral Groove Centroid, Jan Allaerts MC2 Finish & Lyra Atlas, Nagra VPS/VFS/MPS
Racks: Grand Prix Audio Silverstone F1 (x2)

[blacsno]

AES #1 all the way!!!!! Hard to support USB for a fraction of songs for one collection! So you're to make 99.999% of your collection suffer for a single format. Just doesn't make a good business case to me. IMO.....

Ken

[Kal Rubinson]

Originally Posted by doggiehowser

if you are playing DSD files, most DACs only support DOP over USB

If you are playing DSD files, most DACs only support direct DSD over USB.

[Rod#S]

Also isn't AES limited to 192/24? I ask because on Bryston's new DAC you can only transmit up to 192/24 on AES, to go beyond you have to use the USB to get up to 384/32.

[jfrech]

Originally Posted by Rod#S

Also isn't AES limited to 192/24? I ask because on Bryston's new DAC you can only transmit up to 192/24 on AES, to go beyond you have to use the USB to get up to 384/32.

I don't think that's the cable's fault...but could be. My dCS uses dual AES to get the higher res rates and DSD...

Speakers: Rockport Altair 2
Preamp: Robert Koda K10 Amp: Nagra Classic Amp
Cables: Transparent Opus MM2 Spkr, Opus Gen 5 & Magnum Opus Interconnect
Power Shunyata Triton v2/Typhon/DPC-6 v2, Anaconda Zitron cords (x6), Sigma HC (x1), Sigma Analog (x3)
Digital dCS Vivaldi full stack w/ Transparent Reference XL Digital cables
Phono: Grand Prix Monaco TT, Spiral Groove Centroid, Jan Allaerts MC2 Finish, Nagra VPS/VFS/MPS
Racks: Grand Prix Audio Silverstone F1 (x2)

[bigblue]

Interesting post as I am looking for opinions to this as well. Also keen to try an Aurender. But I have also had my eyes on other brands supporting Ethernet instead. There you have no galvanic issues and no "speed limit" that I know of