• Registered: 2023-05-29
  • Posts: 6

Topic: USB or Coax (RME DAC) for best sound quality ?

Hi,

I can feed my Apple Music-stream in 2 ways to my RME ADI-2 DAC:

1. Ipad connected through USBC/USBB cable into RME
2. Ipad through Airplay 2 to Cambridge CXN(V2) streamer and then CXN to RME via coax-cable.

I experience a difference in sound, but cannot determine which option is better. Any thoughts ?

(By the way I know through Airplay I cannot play Hi-res.)

Happy with ADI-2 DAC FS (ESS) ! iMac 2017 - iPad mini 6 - Apple Music.
Nantes | France

2 Reply by waedi (edited by waedi 2024-03-27 12:10:42)

  • waedi
  • DAW Mastermind
  • Offline
  • From: Swiss Zürich
  • Registered: 2020-12-08
  • Posts: 3,418

Re: USB or Coax (RME DAC) for best sound quality ?

Version 1 is better because it's more direct without airplay.
Does airplay convert everything to 48kHz ? Why are there limitations regarding sample rate ?
The sound quality should be the same.

M1-Sonoma, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue

3 Reply by rawac (edited by rawac 2024-03-27 12:48:02)

  • rawac
  • AES/EBU artist
  • Offline
  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2020-09-23
  • Posts: 114

Re: USB or Coax (RME DAC) for best sound quality ?

Airplay 2 is limited to 16 Bit/44.1 kHz.
Apple Music Stream (aka ALAC: Apple Lossless Audio Codec) „Lossless“ is up to 24 Bit/48 kHz; „Hi-Res Lossless“ up to von 24 Bit/192 kHz.
Therefore: 1., the conversion 48 kHz to 44.1 kHz is a skewed thing (bad least common denominator).

Ralf
(ADI-2 Pro FS with ThinkPad Yoga L13, Dynaudio Focus 600 XD or Focal Clear — and a lot of Jazz)

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