TOPIC:

I just received my SHD Studio, new speakers arrive Friday so I'll be up and running by the weekend.  I'm evaluating the different ways I can set the system up and was wondering if there are any benefits to streaming Tidal using Volumio via the SHD Studio's ethernet connection vs streaming Tidal through my laptop via the SHD Studio's USB connection.  I'll run the comparison myself but should one sound better than the other?  Any other benefits of one of the other?  

Jumper75 wrote:

I just received my SHD Studio, new speakers arrive Friday so I'll be up and running by the weekend.  I'm evaluating the different ways I can set the system up and was wondering if there are any benefits to streaming Tidal using Volumio via the SHD Studio's ethernet connection vs streaming Tidal through my laptop via the SHD Studio's USB connection.  I'll run the comparison myself but should one sound better than the other?  Any other benefits of one of the other?  

Have you tried Qobuz? If it's music library suits you then I'd suggest it over Tidal for sound quality as it doesn't use MQA.

The main reason most would use an Ethernet connection is the convenience of not needing another device connected by a cable, and then any laptop or phone purely acts as a remote control rather than being in the audio signal path.

However, specifically with Tidal, you may have an advantage playing everything via your laptop over USB in that I think you'll get the first Tidal 'unfold' completed that way. Google to look into this to be sure though as I may be misremembering.

In case you wonder why I'm advising agains MQA, watch the following videos some time. You'll find lots of other info. on this if you search for it but these videos are fairly watchable and make the case fairly clearly. 

There is also a lot of information on computers polluting streamers over USB connection. I don't know how sensitive SHD Studio is on this point. The SHD does benefit from a cleaned up ethernet input. 

Ultrasonic wrote:

Jumper75 wrote:

I just received my SHD Studio, new speakers arrive Friday so I'll be up and running by the weekend.  I'm evaluating the different ways I can set the system up and was wondering if there are any benefits to streaming Tidal using Volumio via the SHD Studio's ethernet connection vs streaming Tidal through my laptop via the SHD Studio's USB connection.  I'll run the comparison myself but should one sound better than the other?  Any other benefits of one of the other?  

Have you tried Qobuz? If it's music library suits you then I'd suggest it over Tidal for sound quality as it doesn't use MQA.

The main reason most would use an Ethernet connection is the convenience of not needing another device connected by a cable, and then any laptop or phone purely acts as a remote control rather than being in the audio signal path.

However, specifically with Tidal, you may have an advantage playing everything via your laptop over USB in that I think you'll get the first Tidal 'unfold' completed that way. Google to look into this to be sure though as I may be misremembering.

In case you wonder why I'm advising agains MQA, watch the following videos some time. You'll find lots of other info. on this if you search for it but these videos are fairly watchable and make the case fairly clearly. 

Great info - thanks.  I think in the back of my mind I'm wanting to keep the laptop in the chain because of the better graphical interface and the other content I stream.  I'm not married to Tidal, I'm sure I'd be happy with Qobuz... I can use either's app on the laptop or I've enjoyed Audirvana which can incorporate both Tidal and Qobuz - I like looking at Audirvana on my laptop more than an app (Volumio) on my phone. 

But I also find myself watching Youtube content (music) and a lot of live streaming from musicians I follow, on my PC or laptop.  Although its not critical listening it would be really nice to listen through the main system (SHD studio, 708P, etc).

If the SHD Studio's ethernet connection is better than it's USB I'll give up the laptop via USB.  On the plus side, going ethernet only does allow my to take the SHD studio off my desk and move it to a stand on the back wall giving me more more desktop space and reducing cabling.  

Well I've got Volumio set up properly via the ethernet connection and my laptop connected via USB.  I'll feed the same track from Tidal through each connection to compare and see if I notice a difference.  New speakers aren't due to arrive till tomorrow but I'll report back my findings.  

I watch a lot of music content on YouTube as well. I use the YouTube app on my TV and send the audio to my SHD via a Toslink connection.

Just wanted to update that I so far I can't tell a difference between Qobuz/Tidal fed to the SHD Studio via USB (laptop) vs being fed via ethernet and using Volumio.  IT was pretty easy to que up the same song and switch inputs back and forth.  BTW - very impressed with the overall system sound, new JBL 708P + SHD Studio is a fantastic combo.

I'll keep the SHD on my desktop since that's my main listening position anyways, this will allow me to connect my workstation via USB for so I can hear Youtube through the system (and anything else coming out the PC).  I'll probably use Volumio via ethernet for my main listening, will that through the browser on the same workstation.

I'm dumping Tidal for Qobuz, seems like a better idea since I'll be streaming through Volumio.  Don't have to worry about unfolding MQA.