What is the best digital source

[Manfred]

I started with D170 now D220 Pro CI. During my 6 year digital journey I tested a lot.
D170 beginning (During that time no problems with AIR):

⦁ PC for testing - AIR over PLC
⦁ Only HTPC for Audio, and BD playback | Devialet AIR

Now I have also ripped my BD/DVD and I currently have:

a. Media Server (46 TB)  in a different room| JRMC/ROON, Devailet AIR/ROON RAAT
b. Video Renderer  (was Media Renderer before I got AIR working again)| JRMC/AIR

All Ethernet cables are AQ Cinnamon.

Since a certain release Win10 AIR was not working for over 1 year for me. I tested the following:
1. Media Renderer->Asus Essence STX II 7.1 SPDIF (internal Seasonic X400 fanless PSU)-> D220 Pro
2. Media Renderer USB (internal Seasonic X400 fanless PSU)->AQ Cinnamon->D220 Pro
3. Media Renderer with SOtM tx-USBexp USB (internal Seasonic X400 fanless PSU)->AQ Cinnamon->D220 Pro
4. Media Renderer with SOtM tx-USBexp+iFi Power->AQ Cinnamon->D220 Pro
5. Media Renderer with SOtM tx-USBexp+iFi Power->AQ Cinnamon->JCAT USB Isolator->AQ Carbon->D220 Pro
6. Media Renderer with JACT USB (internal Seasonic X400 fanless PSU)->AQ Cinnamon->JCAT USB Isolator->AQ Carbon->D220 Pro

I would rate it as the following:
a./b. sound best, 5., 6.,4.,1.,3.,2.

I live 500 m away from the water supply company of my small city and using USB I had always the "Day of the Week" where it sound best, the other day's it sounds much worse. I don't have that with AIR.

My experience is that USB heavily depends on the POWER quality, much much more than  AIR. You could have similar results as with AIR but you have to invest a lot to get it done. I have one BD discs where there is a special scene (I heard it also live) where the singer speaks and then she sings the song. With USB/SPDIF there was always a "digital glitch" audible regardless if I use 1. or 6., with AIR it is does not happen. 


Also with AIR it is possible to put my media server in a different room.