Jax2
I've hooked up several pc's to varying stereo systems using several interfaces and each time the DAC improved, the audio improved. Consequently I believe that's where the greater gain will come from in pc based audio systems.
Sort of like changing out speakers... big diffs are had then and there always.
The only other noticeable item consistent with HDD based music I've ran into seems unlikely but I do discern diffs between the two ..... the drives actual format. I prefer FAT or FAT 32 to NTFS.
FAT sounds more articulate... or resolving. NTFS has a more prominent bass influence well into the upper mids and is a touch warmer sounding by comparison.... given the files are done on each formated partition the same way of course so only the partition's formating differs.
Beats me why... but that's the story and I'm stickintg to it as it is my exp. RWV... maybe.... and you can share files with other OS that way too as it's cross platform.
I've also found that the way files are concieved in the first place makes a great deal of difference. The ROM driVe, the CODEC and the decoder. Like any audio rig, isolation/damping, and power line filtration help too. heat control or cooling, is very important.
None of these last bits make as much a change for the better though, than improving the DAC.
Jitter however doesn't seem to be addressed anywhere save in the DAC... sometimes. I think I read somewhere maybe at wavelength's website, USB has inherently better jitter controls or rejection properties vs. other cabling interfaces.
I've hooked up several pc's to varying stereo systems using several interfaces and each time the DAC improved, the audio improved. Consequently I believe that's where the greater gain will come from in pc based audio systems.
Sort of like changing out speakers... big diffs are had then and there always.
The only other noticeable item consistent with HDD based music I've ran into seems unlikely but I do discern diffs between the two ..... the drives actual format. I prefer FAT or FAT 32 to NTFS.
FAT sounds more articulate... or resolving. NTFS has a more prominent bass influence well into the upper mids and is a touch warmer sounding by comparison.... given the files are done on each formated partition the same way of course so only the partition's formating differs.
Beats me why... but that's the story and I'm stickintg to it as it is my exp. RWV... maybe.... and you can share files with other OS that way too as it's cross platform.
I've also found that the way files are concieved in the first place makes a great deal of difference. The ROM driVe, the CODEC and the decoder. Like any audio rig, isolation/damping, and power line filtration help too. heat control or cooling, is very important.
None of these last bits make as much a change for the better though, than improving the DAC.
Jitter however doesn't seem to be addressed anywhere save in the DAC... sometimes. I think I read somewhere maybe at wavelength's website, USB has inherently better jitter controls or rejection properties vs. other cabling interfaces.