Is computer audio a bust?

Regarding those of you using USB - how many of you understand the 2.0 and 3.0 and how many understand that the stock USB interface on the mobo is horrible and if you are actually SERIOUS of trying to get the most out of usb audio, get a PCIe 3.0 USB card and hear the difference. Maybe then you will understand where I am coming from. Its like putting vegetable oil in your ferrari - why??? get real gas. Once you try the 3.0, now that you are not afraid of opening up your computer-buy an ESI Juli@ soundcard for $149 and you will hear how that blows away the 3.0 - and now you can return the expensive USB/spdif converter & cables. Dont the logical ones out there see how silly the USB thing is?

I would always tend to steer away from converters. One more hard to quantify variable to throw in the mix. Keep it simple. USe good quality devices and wires intended to work together out of the gate. Things can never be better using a converter/adapter, only worse.

USB was what kept me away from computer audio, but I finally decided to give it a try because of the convenience and my player supported it. Since digital is not my primary source I figured I had nothing to lose. However, after moving to wired Ethernet I have to say I would not go back to USB or playing discs. It has been a noticeable difference.

Cerrot, are you trying to say that for moving audio bits from a computer to a DAC, USB 3.0 will give better sound quality than USB 2.0? I already know the answer to the question, I just want to understand if that's what you're trying to say.

No. I'm saying usb is really bad and the stock is the worse. If you're gonna use it, at least get a dedicated PCIe card. At least use the optimum USB platform.