Allo BOSS2 DAC vs XMOS external USB DAC

[the_bertrum]

Hello Mike,

I've compared both setups and found the sound more accurate/sharp with USB/XMOS than with RCA. I mean, it is really subtile and the sound is still very very good with RCA of course but it seems more tiring in mids and highs.

Some questions come in mind:

with the USB/XMOS setup, is power source as important as with the RCA setup ? Do I still need a quality PSU or a standard one is OK ?

I also have a pi 3 A+ and a pi 3 B+, is USB output as good qualitywise as with pi 4 B+ ? Is there any reason to use an USB 3.0 port for sound output on pi 4 B+ rather an USB 2.0 one ?

Thanks,
Romain

Hi Romain,

You are well into the "here be dragons" territory on this.  You will find people who will argue both ways on all these things.  In truth any effect that such things have on the over all sound will be very subtle if they are there at all.  Try them if you can and see which you prefer (if you can tell any difference at all that is).  Most importantly, spend only what you can afford to throw away and enjoy the music.

Robert