Direct connection of server to DAC vs streaming?

[hlkaye]

I apologize if this is a question that has been much discussed or is, perhaps unanswerable, but I am a novice looking for advice.  I am currently using my home PC as my server and stream over ethernet to an Auralic Vega G1 streaming dac.  I've added a Sonore Optical Module to connect to the A side of the EtherRegen.  I use both Roon (for convenience) and the Auralic app, primarily when streaming from Qobuz because of enhanced sound quality.  I would like to retire my home PC from audio service and get a dedicated server.  I am also considering upgrading my dac.  

 

I am considering either: 1) adding a server like the Small Green Computer i5 or i9 or Fidelizer Nimitra Signature or Exasound Gamma Server that I can place in another location and stream to a streaming dac (e.g. Bricasti M3; Vega G2.1; or the new Exasound S82 when it comes out) or 2) connect the server directly to the dac either through a dedicated ethernet connection (as used by Melco) or directly through USB.

 

Is there any guidance on which sort of set up is best for sound quality? 1) streaming from server to dac via ethernet either directly (1a) or over the network (1b)? or 2) direct connection via usb?

[Elad Repooc]

A couple of things to note:

 

- Streaming from a server to a DAC via ethernet is typically (I say typically) what is known as a pull-based system. From a data perspective there is an application layer software inside the streaming DAC residing on a computer of some sort which is requesting the data from the server using TCP/IP. The server in this instance on the other end should be "transparent" in terms of only sending the file data as requested (as opposed to say, transcoding the data before sending it out). The player software "pulls" the data in a buffered stream, and (if things are done correctly) delivers the data bit-perfect to the internal DAC.

 

- Direct connection via USB is known as a "push" based system because the data is being "pushed" out from an application layer software on the device and delivered in a bitstream over a USB interface, which the downstream component (in this case the USB DAC) must "capture" via another USB interface for delivery to the internal DAC.

 

- Roon is also a "push" based system using the LAN as a delivery mechanism to Roon Ready endpoints. The application layer software that is providing the playback is residing on a server (Core) on the network and "pushing" the data out over the network encapsulated in their proprietary RAAT protocol. The endpoints "capture" the data and deliver it to the DAC, which can be internal or connected via an additional interface (e.g. USB or SPDIF),

 

The important thing to remember here is that in either case you are not just comparing interfaces (e.g. USB, Ethernet), but also playback software which is happening at different places in the signal chain. In a sense there is no actual way to know what's "best" since the variables are so many - for example, on the Auralic products when you say you prefer the Auralic App, what you actually prefer is Auralic's implementation of Qobuz's software API that is built into the Auralic's internal player software, and how it is "pulling" the data from the Qobuz servers, as opposed to Roon's implementation of Qobuz's software API running on your PC, which is "pulling" the data from Qobuz just like your Auralic, and then "pushing" it out over ethernet to your LAN, for the Auralic's implementation of Roon's RAAT protocol to "capture" and render further downstream.

 

 

[davide256]

I'd consider this a better option.... its going to sound better because Innuos knows how to custom design their server hardware to get best sound. And its a Roon core server solution.

The Zen Mini MKIII will allow you to play with both options on your existing Vega G1 ( USB direct/Roon endpoint) to see what you think before spending money  on an upgrade./

change from the Vega G1... I suspect you will stay put after you hear what improving the source solution does

 

https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2021/04/25/innuos-zen-mini-mk-3-music-server-with-lpsu-power-supply-review/

 

 

 

 

[Elad Repooc]

For what it's worth to the OP, I have heard that the Antipodes music servers are quite a bit higher performing than the Innuos products if that is the route one wishes to pursue. I have never personally auditioned either however.

[hlkaye]

Thank you both for your comments and suggestions.  As I suspected the answer lies in the particular server and dac and their associated apps.