I cheat. My only present digital source is internet streaming. Both my DAC and my Streamer are independent replaceable modules built into my stereo preamplifier. I don’t have to connect anything. How easy it can be!
USB from Node to Exogal Comet AES from Primare CD32 to Comet Both sounded better than Coax Tried Toslink from CDP to a previous DAC (Arcam rdac) and wasn't as good SQ as Coax
BNC Coaxial to Dac for CD rip/storage playback AES Balanced to Dac for Network Streaming RCA Coaxial to Dac for SACD/DVD Audio playback USB to Dac for DSD playback (from laptop)
Using multiple DAC's and using almost all the available connections. I prefer to connect trough coax or usb, with the exception of the Meridian Director. This DAC seems to sound best through optical. Meridian 588> optical>Meridian Director Meridian 588>coax>Rega DAC-R Oppo BDP-83>coax>Marantz 30N Panasonic DP-UB820>optical>Rega DAC-R Bluesound Node N130>usb>Marantz 30N Bluesound Node N130>coax>Rega DAC-R Samsung TV>optical>DAC-R
A Bluesound Node N130 acts as the hub in my simple system. I use coax-out to my DAC. Source connections: USB - for the music library (external hard drive) HDMI eARC - for video (TV/Apple TV) WiFi - for streaming Qobuz, internet radio, etc. The Node provides a simple and elegant solution for my needs/wants.
Optical for TV and Apple AirPort Express. Coaxial for DVD, Blu Ray, and DVD-A. USB, Optical and Coax to Chord Mojo, depending on what I am listening to.
USB is the best - it allows DAC to be the only clock source. From a technical perspective Firewire would be the best, but there are not many DACs supporting it.
Firewire was a recording standard in the early oo's. I remember buying Firewire hard drives to store my recording projects from my neighborhood studio. Why did is disappear so quickly?
USB 3 outrun it in performance and latency become less critical. Thus USB 3 became a standard for all external interconnects. Where higher speed is needed either Ethernet or DP is used. There is no place for two interconnects on the market. USB natively carries power down the line, feature which is missing in Firewaire. Also USB IP blocks are cheaper to license for manufacturers.
I connect my digital sources to my DAC any way I can. I have more digital sources than I do inputs on my DAC as is. USB is my least favorite means of connection though because it takes so much effort to get it sounding as good as do any of the others.
USB - a very easy choice on my Lampi DAC as it's only input that allows for highest resolution...up to 384kHz. Lampi claims that SPDIF are incapable of making a good square wave over 48 kHz.
What makes the USB take more effort? I've used USB from computers to DACs/amps the last 6 years and never done anything besides connect it.
USB, I have the Schiit Bifrost 2 into a valhalka 2 headphone amp, and Gungnir MB into my Fisher 800 C in the main system. Both have Unison USB, which is DAC designer Mike Moffat’s preferred connection. For the Gungnir MB I use an inexpensive long cable that’s USB C to USB A. For the Bifrost 2 a standard Audioquest Cinnamon USB cable with their USB C adaptor to connect to my MacBook Pro.
Lots of different methods. Personally I've never found toslink to be that good on either SQ or drop outs - but thats maybe my kit n cables. For streaming from the Node, the exogal comet dac input has a very well implimented asynchronous USB connection and this sounds marginally better - more lively and dynamic - than via coax. For those streamers / CDPs and DACS with well implimented coax I'm sure that's the best choice. Likewise with Toslink but be careful about potential electo interference - mine popped, crackled and dropped like crazy.
