You definitely want the Network card installed. Sounds much better in my system than the USB with a few caveats:. The network card has the added benefit of Melco's ethernet filtering and an Uptone EtherRegen w/LPS upstream . SoTM cabling on the Ethernet side and Final Touch Callisto on the USB.
I can run Melco's native app ( Mconnect) only thru USB. So Tidal, Quboz , and local storage( Melco) are played that way.
Running Roon the Melco is acting like a Nas. So Tidal and Qobuz are running thru the Melco > EtherRegen>Bricasti. This setup sound much more transparent and open. Lot of variables involved but my personal opinion is the Network card is the way to go.
