Usb or Optical


Have a custom built computer has latest greatest Realtek Audio 1220 vb or whatever its called.  I have a Little Dot Mark ii tube amp and i just bought a SMSL D300 dac.  Should i go optical from computer to desktop dac ? or usb from computer to usb on back of destop dac ?????  im not trying to get dsd or any crazy hi res 24/192 is fine.  Whats going to give me the best sound ?

 

thanks for all input is welcome.

128x128audiomike33

USB (though iFI Silencer and ViaBlue) sounds much better on mine. I think.

I would invest in a JCAT USB card ($495), though it’s probably more than you want to spend. Alternative, the Matrix Element H USB card ($329) or the SOTM tX-USBexp USB 3.0 card ($350) might be options. That being said, it’s hard to say whether the motherboard USB output would be better or worse than the motherboard optical output. You would just have to test to see.

If you are using an AMD processor, then look into a Pink Faun S/PDIF card ($360). That will likely be better than a USB card, since you are not looking for DSD.

I am using a AMD board, those are some pricey cards not looking to spend that much money.

You could buy a used Asus Xonar Essence STX on ebay for anywhere from $50 to $250.  There's an STX II card for $295 if you want the latest version.  These have an RCA S/PDIF output that is better than the optical on your motherboard.  Drivers are available on the Asus website.  However, it's not as good as the Pink Faun S/PDIF.