Streamer output options

Implementation of interfaces needs to be taken on a case by case basis. How can anyone state categorically any single interface is the best. Usb optimization varies greatly across both streamers and dacs. I2S not offered on a great number of streamers so DDC's employed, optimization of this output varies with these, for dacs since this native signal path, less variability here except with quality of internal clock.

One would have to actually optimize and implement these interfaces in their own setups to determine superiority. I've tried any number of usb optimizations over the years, this with variety of streamers and dacs, with present setup I2S provides superior sound quality vs usb, this with both my Musetec DH-DA006 (sabre chip) and Laiv Harmony (R2R).  Musetec has one of the most sophisticated usb boards I've seen, Laiv middle of road.

15 to 20 years ago USB was not a great choice for audio but it has come a long way since then.

If you’re running usb out of a computer there’s a possibility that power might be running through also and that can add a bunch of noise, but if you’re running out of a streamer that’s set up for using usb as it’s preferred output like Aurender, the signal will be a lot cleaner before it hits the DAC.

@mclinnguy "noise that piggybacks on the data itself" 

Somebody is going to have to explain that one to me. 

USB-Audio uses isochronous, interrupt, and control transfer. Characteristics of the Interrupt Transfer mode are:

• Guaranteed Latency
• Unidirectional Stream Pipe
• Error detection and next period retry.

USB has error control and management. Any 'noise that piggybacks on the data' to be relevant (audible) would have to modify and corrupt the bitstream. That would cause a checksum error and have the effect of triggering the error correction. Then, a retransmit would occur of uncorrupted data. The concept of 'noise that piggybacks on the data' causing audible issues is not possible with USB data and simply not applicable.

Anything and everything you hear from a streaming source is derived from the bitstream. RF noise, at frequencies thousands of times higher than human hearing is taken care of by the reconstruction filter of the DAC. Any audio band noise measurable after that point on is from the analog section of the DAC, downstream line amp, or power amp, and likely due to improper gain staging.

@panzrwagn If you are looking for an explanation feel free to ask the source of that information and the designer of those cables. I don't even use a USB cable. Let me know how it goes. 

https://www.madscientist-audio.com/