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Use asynch. USB converter with inboard DAC?

If playing music from a computer's USB out to a newer CD player equipped with inboard DAC and a choice of digital inputs including USB, is it better to put an asynchronous USB converter between computer and CDP and use coax or Toslink in? OR just run a USB cable directly from computer to CDP? I don't know if new DAC's make the use of an asynchronous converter unnecessary. Thanks for your input.
128x128ghosthouse
zd542
5,339 posts
 
I think that's a good idea. I'm probably going to do it that way myself. If you call Cable Company, they may have some units to lend you before you commit to a purchase.
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse OP
4,308 posts
 
Thanks for the feedback, Zd. I actually have a 1st gen Musical Fidelity V-Link that I use with their V-DAC (also 1st gen.) for streaming Pandora etc. Wasn't sure if the newer DACs still needed that asynchronous help managing feed from the computer. Guess I'll be doing some A/B 'ing.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
External USB converters will ALWAYS beat built-in USB interfaces in DACs. This is simply because the power supply for the master clock is independent and usually higher quality, achieving lower levels of jitter. Some converters have upgrade optional power supplies thqt mqke a big difference too.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
tboooe's avatar
tboooe
1,009 posts
 
Hi Steve, just curious why you think external USB converters will ALWAYS beat the internal USB of DACs. Isn't that a rather overly broad statement to make? Don't get me wrong, I don't know either way but you are implying that any USB converter would be better than the built in USB of even high end DACs like Luxman, Berkeley, etc?
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