Popular Post Elad Repooc Posted June 6, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted June 6, 2021 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. audiobomber and R1200CL 1 1 Link to comment
Elad Repooc Posted June 6, 2021 Share Posted June 6, 2021 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. Link to comment
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