I recently purchased a Toshiba usb external HDD for backup. Out of curiosity I connected it directly to my Squeezebox Touch usb input.
The same files sounds markedly different than when using my wireless network to retrieve them from a computer HDD. Otherwise it the same path. Squeezebox to coax connected dac to rca connected preamp aux in. Both are controlled using the Squeezebox software.
It's a huge difference in the detail and definition. The sound of 24 bit high definition tracks are most notably different. The uncompressed version of "Band On The Run" sounds like a different version. The usb input being the more revealing of the two?
I don't understand how the same set of ones and zeros after being delivered for processing by the same hardware can sound so much different.
Thanks in advance, CD.