[Bjornboy81]

Hey guys,

Does the length of the USB cable matter when it comes to SQ and noise? I want to put my DAC on the other side of the room from my computer (next to my big comfy chair) and I figured it'd be better to run the digital signal farther and keep the analog signal shorter. Am I correct in my thinking? Should I make sure it had ferrite cores on either end? It's probably be about 12ft long or so.

Thanks,
paul

EDIT: also this is in regards to a Silverstone EB01 DAC which is powered by the USB cable. Do you forsee an problems there?

 

[evilking]

No problems at all.

Your right, it's always better to extend the digital section than the analog.

USB can handle 12 feet without hassle.


EK

 

[Bjornboy81]

Thanks...that's what I thought. Any insight to the 'powering the DAC' issue?

 

[koto-in]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bjornboy81 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hey guys, It's probably be about 12ft long or so.

5m (16') is the limit per the USB spec.

 

[MH79]

I've used 10m cables before with no problem.

 

[Bjornboy81]

nice ****

 

[Bjornboy81]

haha...anyways, thanks for the replies guys!

 

[Quaddy]

no problem as this makes my HS post, 1.5k

 

[Maniac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bjornboy81 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks...that's what I thought. Any insight to the 'powering the DAC' issue?

It will work fine, but IMHO it is always better if you can source power from somewhere other than your computer.

 

[Bjornboy81]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maniac /img/forum/go_quote.gif It will work fine, but IMHO it is always better if you can source power from somewhere other than your computer.

I totally agree. however that's how this DAC is designed...to run off the USB power.

maybe I'll dive into the PCB and add in my own wall powered PS instead of the USB boosted supply that's on the board....

 

[charley phogg]

Hope this is more help then it sounds, as i can't describe why without butching it up and I don't recall where I read the article. But there is an optimum length, 1.5m possibly.

It has to do with the speed the data travels and the amount of time it takes to reach the dac/amp, basically. And at that given length, the data reaches exactly "in synch" with the clock time.


But I'm also sure that's probably getting into the those minute tweaks, but since you're talking a long run anyhow, may not be a bad idea to dig into it. Wish I could remeber if I saw it here, Headroom or .......

Hope that helps.

 

[Bjornboy81]

I think I know what you're saying Charley, but external DAC's have a seperate clock than the computer, and sync to the data coming in, so even if it is delayed slightly, it shouldn't matter, so long as the frequency of the data transfer isn't affected.

Being that I'm looking at about 12' or so, I don't think this would be an issue anyways.

thanks though