PCIe interface vs usb interface/converter vs network streamer vs network server

[sb6]

Great topic I've often thought it was not succinctly (if that's even possible) fleshed out. I employ your option 3. I found the SOTM SMS200 ultra neo was noticeably more fleshed - out with better dynamics and more emphasis and detail in the bass compared to the ultra rendu both using the same SOTM Signature PSU and exact same setup. Now I'm wondering what would sound better - my current setup (JCAT ethernet card -> direct connect ethernet to SOTM ultra Neo -> USB DAC input or the JCAT USB card -> SOTM TX USB - > USB to DAC avoiding ethernet in the signal path and staying all USB.

 

 

Also, IMO and IME while sample rates, filters, dither, etc. change the sound somewhat, sometimes components are simply better than other irrespective of other component particulars. Sometimes the $500 LPSU is simply better than the wall wart, the $10K DAC bests the $1K DAC irrespective of the other components. If this weren't true, many companies would be out of business. 

[sb6]

4 hours ago, smodtactical said:

What do you guys think of the philosophy that any path that has usb is automatically inferior? And that the best path is PCIE -> dac via spdif? This is an opinion held by many smart users I have encountered but I do wonder if this is a superior solution to a good ethernet solution or this optical pathway that Hans B is talking about.

I think it's an oversimplification. There are many factors that go into each design that can affect sound quality. Also, it depends on your system components quality since SPDIF relies on the DAC to clock the signal while USB relies on the source. 

[sb6]

1 hour ago, beerandmusic said:

I think ethernet over optical is best possible solution, and whether you take that optical out to usb>dac or optical out> streamer/dac just depends on design.   I think noise isolation from usb out a noisy pc has come a long ways over the last 5 or 6 years, but you aren't going to beat noise isolation using  one of the 2 fiber over ethernet solutions.

Curious if anyone considered any inherent noise/jitter associated with the 2x optical conversion and whether this might reduce or adversely affect sonics versus the benefit of optical isolation?