Is USB overrated as decent digital source?



Some of the USB DACs or USB-SPDIF converters are really expensive, are they really worth the price?

Is USB overrated?

Lets discuss.

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mikechai5608
Audioengr; You make a good point. Also, your inputs over at That Other Forum is really appreciated. For now I am using the Transporter digital output for two reasons. First, on my main system I prefer the warmer signal going to my amps that comes from the Audio Aero, as opposed to the more analytical sound I get from the Transporter. Also, the Audio Aero allows me to seamless switch audio sources without adding an awkward switching device. My Audio Aero accepts Toslink from the Satellite Receiver which also doubles as a decent OTA High Definition Receiver, and I use my Audio Aero's coax input for DVD and the AES/EBU input from the Transporter that also pulls music from my computer as well as streaming audio. Then, of course there is the occasional CD I play on the Audio Aero Capitole itself.

I am using the Transporter's analog output to another room that has a very nice secondary music distribution system which includes the Audio Aero Capitole amp.

The folks at slimdevices tell me that, for my purposes, the squeezebox that was given to me by them(when the Transporter was back-ordered) will suffice as, by bypassing the DAC I am not gaining any more by upgrading to the Transporter. However, I disagree as whatever happens when the Transporter it used sounds better.
Ferenc--Wow! I just clicked on your system. I have never seen anything like it. I am sure it sounds great---still, with all of those cables, etc. it looks a little bit like a BORG (ala Star Trek) Transport Device.
Uncleff:

:-))

Actually the transport is not mine but one of my freinds' transport.
It seems that the venerable Benchmark DAC has been upgraded to include a USB port. Has anybody head this one?

M
Bel Canto DAC 3, USB from a Mac, is exquisite --
compared to my $2500 CD player ( brand withheld
in respect ). Apple Lossless, or uncompressed AIFF,
either, USB to a DAC like the Bel Canto 3 ... Best of
everything: no more shiny discs, iTunes interface --
which is not perfect yet, but, sure beats flipping discs.

Throw a couple of Bel Canto monoblocs
in the mix, and I haven't heard better except for maybe
the $30k + Linn activ set-up at my dealer. Maybe that set-up
was better ... but I'm not at all sure that it was.