Grimm MU1 Streamer - Really "The Best"?

@nyev 

Most everything we’ve learned about ideal USB cable length is applicable to…USB cable length. USB cables do a very different job in a very different way than AES/EBU cables. For instance, USB cables are also called upon to carry an electrical current since many dacs (and printers and other computer peripherals compliant with the universal serial bus standard) require it for their USB ports/handshake to operate. Many USB cable makers for Hifi offer their USB cables with/without the power option. Curious and Final Touch Audio quickly come to mind.

Many of your posts talk about your desire for detail and warmth. While they aren’t mutually exclusive, there are some cable “flavors” that do head down one road or the other. I wince ever so slightly when you mention Valhalla and AQ Diamond as they don’t typically bring warmth to the table, but everyone has their own preferences. I have found there are a wide array of differences between USB cables, AES/EBU cables are far less variable.

I'm betting on Phoenix usb vs N20, the only statement Aurender makes in relation to usb port is that it's isolated, doesn't say anything about power supply and clock. The preferred output on it looks to be all the SPDIF,  most of their efforts went here, clocks and power supplies.

This lack of optimal implementation of usb in vast majority of plug n play streamers has been my major issue with them since usb is optimal input on my dac. None of the Aurenders provide for the most optimal usb,  W20SE seems to max out here, still not best available.  Still, in the end it may not matter if using SPDIF with your dac, or with any dac provides better sound than usb.

I continue to be curious about this ongoing lack of optimal usb utilization in so many high end streamers, obviously Innuous and some others know how to do it, to not include it these high priced streamers is a crime in my book. And this is why I became much more interested in custom builds based on Windows platform. I can utilize great variety of optimized, top flight rendering via Pink Faun and JCAT usb, AES/EBU, I2S, coax, net cards. All have superior filtering/power supplies which can be powered via external lps vs motherboard, also have OXCO/Femto clocks, this is superior rendering, anything less is less.

Assuming  these top brand streamer manufacturers actually know how to build and implement top flight usb , and have tested and voiced them with dacs implementing top flight usb boards, I can only come to conclusion they find totally optimized usb inferior to top flight SPDIF. The question is have they indeed done this?

@sns I can only come to conclusion they find totally optimized usb inferior to top flight SPDIF. The question is have they indeed done this?

That could very well be it. Perhaps these manufacturers have done their own testing and comparing and find AES/EBU-SPDIF BNC/RCA better sounding than USB. It is certainty plausible.

Charles

USB cable length posts are interesting. I designed and built many USB cables  over the years. I made lengths from 13 inches to 2 meters. I listen extensively to all my cable builds and frankly heard no issues, no sonic differences, with USB cables under 1.5 meters. None.

I do not think the 1.5 meter minimum length for best sound theory applies universally to all USB cables based on my building and listening experience. I have not tested other USB cables in this way so the theory may be true from some.

My builds varied conductor types, levels and types of shielding, build geometry and connectors.

@sns 

I continue to be curious about this ongoing lack of optimal usb utilization in so many high end streamers, obviously Innuous and some others know how to do it, to not include it these high priced streamers is a crime in my book.

Yeah, it's a crime but they still keep flying out the door.

Maybe you should try listening to one sometime instead of scrawling your vast diatribes of shite....