Is USB straight from a Mac computer to a DAC really that bad?

[sb6]

On 6/11/2020 at 8:23 PM, jacques_racine said:

I can wholeheartedly confirm that HQPlayer is an absolute must.

I have tested DCS Bridge, AquaLinQ (currently in my system) and my system plays way better with HQPlayer than with Roon alone. Also tried Zenith MKIII and Statement - no HQP again.

Huge, difference. My ears bleed without HQP.

Weeks of experience with this. Aqua says they are adding NAA. If not, there will be a LinQ for sale. And even with LinQ-Formula connected via I2S or AES/EBU. 

Agreed, HQPlayer stand alone is better than Roon, however Roon leveraging HQPlayer for playback gets fairly close IME. Also, I hope Aqua Hi Fi adds an NAA module, I have an LinQ on order and would be happy to report on how it sounds and compared to my current streamer.

[sb6]

49 minutes ago, audiophile911 said:

Excuse my ignorance but is there any advantage to run Roon+HQplayer with a Chord Mscaler (I just ordered one 😀!)

In my system in order of best to worst sonics:

1) HQPlayer alone playing songs from a RAMDisk

2) HQPlayer alone playing songs off a local HDD

3) Roon with HQplayer

4) Roon stand alone

[sb6]

5 hours ago, magnuska said:

Hi sb6, may I ask what streamer you have now. 

I have also a Linq on order. 🙂

 

Regards Magnus

Hi magnuska, please see my digital chain in my signature pasted below.

 

HDPlex + Paul Hynes SR4T -> Music PC w/JCAT Femto Ethernet, HQPlayer/Roon | Sonore Signature PSU -> SOTM SMS-200 Ultra Neo | Aqua Formula xHD rev 2 DAC