[Metfit77@gmail.com]

Hello,
I am looking for the best way to connect my PC to my DAC.
Options:
USB from PC Motherboard to DAC
Optical or Coax from ASUS Xonar Essence STX sound card.

Will I get any benefit from using my sound card vs the motherboard USB?


Here is my current setup.
Music from Tidal on PC
DAC (SMSL SU-8)
Perla preamp
Dynaco ST150 amp
X-Statik speakers

Your input (pun) is appreciated.

[Escott1377]

With some DAC’s, USB will get you higher resolution.  SPDIF or optical (esp) may be capped at 24/96 where USB goes to 24/192 as an example.  I run USB from my PC into a galvanic isolator that also reclocks the signal into my DAC.

Hope this helps, good luck, and have fun!

[Mike-48]

From all the comments I've heard recently (SPDIF is better! USB is better! AES3 is better!), this seems to be quite system-specific; so, you'll just have to try and see what you like. I like USB myself, not for sound specifically, but because the DAC sets the timing, rather than locking onto a clock sent with the data.

Modern DACs are better at jitter rejection and and less sensitive to USB noise than a few years ago. Let us know what you find out!

[WGH]

Since you are looking for the best way instead of the easiest or fastest way...

Any connection directly from the motherboard will be a compromise, same as the soundcard since both get their power from the switching power supply. The hard drive or SSD also puts noise back into the system which means low level spacial cues are obscured, imaging and depth is less than optimal.

The best way is an audiophile grade USB card with a separate linear regulated power supply.
Pick up a Paul Pang AUDIO GRADE USB 3.0 PCIE CARD for $129 and an Acopian 5EB200 5v 2amp linear power supply from eBay for $20
http://ppaproduct.blogspot.com/2013/07/audio-grade-usb-30-pcie-card.html
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1313&_nkw=Acopian+5EB200&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_osacat=0&_odkw=Acopian+5v+2amp

What everything looks like:
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=122520.0