Tidal vs. Spotify

Ghosthouse,
I used to have the iFi USB power that separates the power from the signal via a bihedral cable like yours until it crapped out. I guess it's time to get a new one after this recent experiment. 
I will try your method of letting the dac do the upsampling work and see how that compares with Windows.
 

Hi Jon - 
I wasn't trying to one-up your method with my comments...
The Gungnir doesn't have a USB input so I have to use the MF USB/SPDIF adapter and that's what is doing the upsampling.  Mainly wrote in response to your positive comments about Spotify sound quality which opinion I share.  

Not 100% certain about current pricing for that iFi dual-headed cable.  I got my cable off Ebay from Doukmall (China) on the suggestion of Williewonka.  Since then we've become aware of a "USB Disruptor" by robpriore for $74 and his has a power supply.  Maybe that will save you a few bucks over the iFi version.  You can find his cable under DA Converters.   Hopefully the link here will work too.   

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/da-converters-usb-disruptor-kills-noisy-usb-power-improves-usb-dac...

If interested in a Spotify selection with great SQ, try The Antisocial Club. It will be under "various artists" but is an Alan Pasqua project.  Interesting music (jazz/fusion) and, as I said, good sonics.  

Ciao.

Not at all, ghosthouse. Quite the contrary. I am actually curious as to how the 2 methods compare. :)

Tried both and it was no contest. Inputting the native Spotify signal to the dac followed by upsampling wins hands down.
Guess Windows was doing a hack job of digital upscaling. :)

Glad you got an improvement, Jon.  Check out The Antisocial Club when you get a chance.  Maybe you will like it.