What is the theory behind why using an NAA with HQP improves the sound?

[Miska]

So as I understand, the benefit of an NAA is to eliminate the noise that is being generated by the server PC that is doing cpu intensive processes? But isnt this noise transmitted via ethernet to the NAA?

 

USB in most cases is not isolated at all and has direct galvanic connection between host and the device.

 

While ethernet by definition is transformer-isolated at all connecting ends. In addition, using ethernet or other IP capable networking gear also allows using optical interconnects further isolating any noise. It also allows longer cabling, so HQPlayer computer can reside outside of the listening room to easily deal with possible acoustic noises (fans) of powerful computers.

 

In addition IP networking provides one-to-many and many-to-one connectivity USB lacks. So you can either use same DAC from multiple computers, or multiple DACs (around the house) from the same computer.