Ethernet vs. USB for Streaming

The Sonore SOtM (Soul Of the Music) sMS-100 is an excellent Network Music Streamer that connects via Ethernet and outputs Aysnchronous USB to your DAC. It supports Vortexbox/LMS SqueezeLite, Apple Airplay, DLNA, and MPD.

In the past those of us streaming digital source material to our music systems have used S/PDIF via Optical or Co-Ax (in fact many still do from CD Transports where resolution is only 16/44 – 16 bit 44 kHz). In more recent years there has been a move to USB as the preferred source for streaming into external DAC (Digital-analogue Converters) devices or Amplifiers and AV Receivers with built in DACs. This has been due to the rise of Asynchronous USB support – and improvements in computer O/S (operating Systems) serving the source data to the DAC. However one question now is whether Asynchronous USB is still the best, or whether network streaming across a (cabled) Ethernet network (or even a high reliability Wi-Fi one) is now the better option?

Update on Neil Young's Pono Music Service

Pono Player in use at The Audio Saloon Pono Session

Further to the original 2012 announcement of Neil Young's new Pono Music Service, last week at The Audio Salon, was the first time many consumers had the opportunity to hear the PonoPlayer and Pono music. Pono CEO John Hamm was on hand discussing where Pono has been, where it's at now, and where it's headed. It seems to have been Unanimously agreed that Pono sounds great. Read the full article (and see photos of the event) at Computer Audiophile: The Audio Salon Pono Event Wrap-up.
   

A Meeting With Devialet

NZ Devialet Conference, May 2014 - Day 2 Workshop

Devialet (pronounced Dá ve-a-lay or pretty close to that - they don't seem to be too concerned if you get it right or not) is a French company that is taking the Hi-Fi world by storm - their radical new technology and approach is without doubt the future of Hi-Fi appliances. Last weekend I was lucky enough to be involved in a Devialet Conference & Workshop held here in New Zealand with Andy Kennard, Devialet's General Manager for Asia-Pacific.