Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

"I'm Sorry. Can you explain the benefit of Ethernet over USB?
I'm having a hard time processing what the advantages are."

Its Ethernet only, no USB. Ethernet is packetized and has retry error correction. It treats all data the same, unlike USB, which uses a streaming mode for audio.

"Doesn't this all come down to Jitter and clocking?"

IT always does, however there are other considerations. Because USB uses more of the computer OS audio stack and Ethernet uses none of that, this is the advantage. Also, USB is not packetized and has no error correction/retry like Ethernet.

"Wouldn't the ideal server be connected to a DAC that shares a single external high end clock?"

The ideal DAC uses a high-quality internal clock for master clock.

"Steve, does your ODSX have inputs for an external clock?"

Yes, actually. The I2S input provides the external clock(s).

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

Paul79 - which Ethernet cable is important in your setup?

Are you using a USB DAC or an Ethernet interface like squeezebox?

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

"In other words, you are working on an Ethernet streamer or "renderer" that nixes the puter and takes its clocking out of the equation. Devialet and dBsystems (also out of France and which I used to own) have done that."

Correct. The difference is that I use novel techniques to reduce jitter in these interfaces.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

The real solution is using wired Ethernet instead of USB. This is a solution that makes the computer and its power unimportant. Cabling is unimportant. Even the playback software should in theory be unimportant, but I feel that it will be. This is why I am working on this solution now.

All of my USB interfaces will be upgradable to wired Ethernet LAN interfaces.

This is reason I use wired ethernet via DLNA for years.

11-05-14: Paul79
Steve, I am finding that the Ethernet cables are important, the supplies for the router and NAS are important, as well as the hard drive in my setup. FE, SSD are more clear sounding than standard HD's in the NAS.

If the server process caches TRACKS before streaming to the DAC, then only ethernet cables between computer to dac is important.

I find replacing generic with AQ ethernet cable made a nice improvement.

Steve,
Totaldac Server/Reclocker, which is an ARM based mini computer running RT Lenux I think, with optimized power supply. This feeds the reclocker (in same chassis) with a USB Cable jumper. AES/EBU output to the DAC.

The NAS and Server are on the LAN ports of the router. This is all controlled with MPD software using Mpad App on Ipad. No homerun Ethernet or internet required.

The Ethernet cable going from NAS to Router is less important than the one going from Router to Server IME, but there is still an improvement even here, with the better Ethernet cable.

The better Ethernet cables provide much greater image focus.

Albeit, this is not as great a difference as different USB Cables make on a USB DAC, but the difference is really there.

Routers make a difference also! Belkin seems to be the best and most efficient here. I have Hynes supplies running the NAS and Router (12V) and the difference these made was unbelievable.

I use the Belkin AC1200 DB, and the Qnap HS-210 Dual Bay Fanless NAS with Crucial M550 1tb SSD's

So it all still matters I am finding, at least with this setup, but once dialed in, it has been quite revelatory for the sound here.