Chris, I can't comment on the Duet as I don't have one.
However, there are only 2 variables in the transport (PC vs SB via S/PDIF) equation: 1) the bits - are they OK? - answer: Demonstrably yes in both cases. We can discount this. 2) Jitter into the output stream at the transport end - answer: we get different "numbers" (pattern) of jitter, so they are different. With some DACs we would expect this to translate into an audible "difference". With other DAC's the slightly different levels/patterns of input jitter will have no effect whatsoever on the audio emerging from the analogue stage of the DAC. However it is impossible to conclude anything from this...except that some people will prefer the sound from one approach and some will prefer the sound from the other. Interestingly, the use of a PC with a coax S/PDIF connection to a DAC can cause issues with transmitted RFI/Noise. I don't understand your point about TCP/IP being irrelevant - to me is critical since it lets me keep the clock and the jitter aspects locked inside the SB - the PC is completely out of the jitter equation. On ANY PC+card solution, jitter will be influenced by what is happening in the PC. This is simply never the case in an SB-based solution. Anyway, interesting discussion! -- Phil Leigh You want to see the signal path BEFORE it gets onto a CD/vinyl...it ain't what you'd call minimal... SB3 (wired) - TACT 2.2X (Linear PSU) + Good Vibrations S/W - MF Triplethreat(Audiocom full mods) - Linn 5103 - Aktiv 5.1 system (6x LK140's, ESPEK/TRIKAN/KATAN/SEIZMIK 10.5), Townsend Supertweeters, Blue Jeans Digital,Kimber Speaker & Chord Interconnect cables Outdoors: Boom ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Phil Leigh's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=85 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=65422 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list [email protected] http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
