Then I Got a Pulse, Now I'm a Believer


My apologies to The Monkees. 

I received my Innuos Pulse today and it's outstanding even with the coax output. Better clock in the Pulse I assume. I don't know what they do to those 1s and 0s but they sure sound a lot better than the ones coming out of the Node 2i. I've followed the many discussions about this and it's my sworn testimony that a better streamer is worth it. 

But tomorrow a new DH Labs Mirage USB cable arrives and I can finally hear my BitFrost 2 64 through its USB input. 

mashif

This is what AI has to say about a AES connection compared to USB. I bring this up in case you were wondering where to spend your next nickel. a gungnir2 or a yggdrasil might be in your future. 🎶🎸🥁

For an Innuos music server, AES/EBU is generally preferred over USB for audio quality due to its lower susceptibility to packet noise and better signal integrity. While USB is more convenient, AES/EBU is often seen as providing a cleaner and more natural sound, particularly when combined with high-quality DACs. 

Here's a more detailed look:

AES/EBU Advantages: 

  • Reduced Noise:

    AES/EBU transmits data without the overhead of USB's data transfer protocols, leading to less noise and a cleaner signal. 

  • Improved Signal Integrity:

    AES/EBU has a more dedicated and robust signal path, which can result in a more accurate and less jitter-affected audio signal. 

  • Better for High-End DACs:

    Many audiophiles find that AES/EBU connections yield better performance with high-end digital-to-analog converters (DACs). 

USB Advantages: 

  • Convenience: USB is widely available and easy to connect. 
  • Compatibility: USB is a standard interface supported by many devices. 

Innuos and USB: 

Innuos's USB outputs are designed to be high quality, and some users may not notice a significant difference between USB and AES/EBU in their systems. However, many audiophiles still prefer AES/EBU for its inherent advantages in signal purity. 

In Summary: 

While USB is convenient, AES/EBU often offers a cleaner, more natural sound, especially with high-end DACs. The best choice for an Innuos server depends on your priorities and your system's characteristics, but AES/EBU is a popular and often-preferred option for its potential to improve audio quality. 

FYI @mashif Mike Nesmith had real chops  

@ghdprentice Better IS better!. Goes for recordings too.  

Mal Waldron on now  So happy!!!!

 

@wsrrsw 

I worked with Mike on a commercial he was producing and played on. Sometime in the late 1980s. Talented guy. 

Congratulations glad you like the sound of your Pulse streamer.  I have the Zen MK3 connected to my Holo Audio Cyan 2 DAC using a USB cable.  It sounds better than my Blusound Node N130.  Hope you enjoy the sound even more with your USB connection.  I liked the BluOs app but find the Sense app is even better running Qobuz with my iPad or iPhone.  

Well, I finally got to hear the BitFrost with the USB input. And I didn't like it! I listened for a day and something just sounded off. Tried a lot of different music and they all seemed not quite right. 

So I switched back to my coax cable and input and the magic was back! The only thing that comes to mind is that the USB cable is a DH Labs Mirage, a decent but not expensive cable. My coax cable is a Transparent Audio Premier 75ohm cable that retails for over $1k. It could be the difference between USB and coax in general, but I don't have a way to test that. 

The USB version was kind of cold and clinical while the coax is more musically coherent. The sound just flows while the USB sounds like it's being forced out. Not what I expected but it's what I got.