I’m about to receive an Antipodes K22 G4 server/streamer and wil be using if with a Chord DAVE.
I have been exclusively using USB on the DAVE - as my only choice- because of my previous Innuos system was USB only.
Now I’ve multiple choices with the K22, I’m thinking trying AES/EBU first or perhaps just going with that and bypassing the death via trying ALL the possible connection options.
What I don’t want to do is go mad with trying every RCA, TOSLINK, USB, BNC and AES/EBU option and forgetting what the first one sounded like (thankfully the DAVE doesn’t have I2S, or I’d have that to think of that as well).
I have had great success with Toslink and coaxial SPDIF. I have used USB but not as my primary digital input.
My digital interconnects are all short so I don’t need AES/EBU which is designed for greater distances (upto 1000m compared to <10m with SPDIF) . Probably avoid if you don’t need it, as it uses greater switching voltages than SPDIF (up to 7 volts compared to 0.6 Volts) and in my opinion not really suited for domestic hifi as it can create greater switching noise, albeit it is balanced, but has a bit of a hifi marketing pull with it because of its use in industrial/commercial setups. (But that is for specific reasons not related to hifi/SQ)
My main digital inputs on DAVE use coaxial SPDIF, from a Naim streamer. Toslink is used for input from an A/V setup.
Normally aes is the better/preferred connection with most hifi related products, but my knowledge on the Dave is limited.
Usb is normally the least preferred and normally offers the worst quality.
It’s a bit of a conundrum TBH, I’ve always been under the imprsssion that you should go with whatever the manufacture has optimized as their “primary” input/output.
In this case Antipodes usually say it’s AES/EBU as the better option.
I’ve always (perhaps wrongly) assumed with Chord, it’s the SPDIF, on BNC connectors, that’s their best option.
Only because it’s on all their QUTEST and above products as well as the MScaler ( and OPT) .
That is probably a fair strategy… and with Chord Electronics coaxial SPDIF is the default transport I believe.
However I think you will likely find Toslink is pretty good too, if you can use a wide bandwidth sender (192/24).
But probably not get too obsessed over it.. I am sure if the digital source is a quality one they are all going to be at least good. If in real doubt then go coaxial SPDIF.
I haven’t worried to much about it myself and use both usb and two of the optical inputs I might experiment a bit tomorrow as can use my Roon Rock via both usb or optical.
I have read a few posts where Dave users have been pleased with the results of using the high quality Silflex glass fibre audio cables and will probably try them at some point myself.
Also if I recall correctly there are some peculiarities regarding dsd transfer and the different inputs. Dave I think will only play native DSD files via its usb input and show DSD is playing on its screen. If DSD is sent via other inputs it is converted by Dave to PCM and shown as PCM+ on its screen.
I think data sent over USB will use Dave Clock for timing other inputs use the transports clock but not 100% sure about the exact details of how that works but could be important depending on what your sending data from.
The 1794 page Chord Electronics Dave thread on headfi is good place to get feedback on any Dave related questions Rob Watts (Dave designer) is active on the BB and will often add input or answer technical questions direct.
I don’t think I’m allowed to link to the forum but if you Google “Chord Electronics Dave headfi” you should see the thread.
Rob Watts, Dave’s designer, has stated that USB is best, better than optical though only by a tiny margin. He also said that AES/EBU is a joke standard, not intended for high data rates, and was simply because studios had XLR’s and lots of cable around.
AES/EBU is intended for upto 750 m lengths, it is definitely not a joke standard. Using it for domestic hifi over short .5 metre lengths might be, and I suspect that is what he was referring to.
In my experiences USB on the DAVE is defo not the best interface.. though not bad..
Dual Coax SPDIF is used as the default and used for the upscaler… USB which would have been simpler, notably isn’t.