Both USB and Ethernet inputs are already digital so there is no digitization as such in the Devialet. If you're referring to analog inputs, then you might want to ask Devialet about the level of jitter added during digitization; I haven't seen any measurements.
Both USB and Ethernet are packetised, asynchronous protocols so the audio samples are buffered and clocked into the output path (DAC) by the Devialet's internal clock. In other words I would argue that the jitter will be entirely limited by the Devialet's clock. Others may disagree although I haven't seen a coherent explanation as to what might cause additional jitter.
Although the signal is "digital" it is represented as analog voltage levels that are compared against thresholds at the receiver (Devialet). In principle a digital transmission can be affected by noise that might cause bits to change value; in any normal (to-specification) USB or Ethernet cable in a home environment this should be a very rare event if it happens at all. In the case of both USB and Ethernet this would cause a whole packet to be dropped because the receiver (Devialet) can detect that the packet is errored. Normally this would result in easily audible drop-outs.
I don't think this is what people are arguing about when they say that one or other kind of USB or Ethernet cable affects sound quality - rather I think they're talking about more subtle things like (for example) how much noise can leak through the cable into the sensitive parts of the DAC. Now we're into subjective territory -- in other words, if you are concerned about this you have to try a number of cables and see which you prefer.
Both USB and Ethernet are packetised, asynchronous protocols so the audio samples are buffered and clocked into the output path (DAC) by the Devialet's internal clock. In other words I would argue that the jitter will be entirely limited by the Devialet's clock. Others may disagree although I haven't seen a coherent explanation as to what might cause additional jitter.
Although the signal is "digital" it is represented as analog voltage levels that are compared against thresholds at the receiver (Devialet). In principle a digital transmission can be affected by noise that might cause bits to change value; in any normal (to-specification) USB or Ethernet cable in a home environment this should be a very rare event if it happens at all. In the case of both USB and Ethernet this would cause a whole packet to be dropped because the receiver (Devialet) can detect that the packet is errored. Normally this would result in easily audible drop-outs.
I don't think this is what people are arguing about when they say that one or other kind of USB or Ethernet cable affects sound quality - rather I think they're talking about more subtle things like (for example) how much noise can leak through the cable into the sensitive parts of the DAC. Now we're into subjective territory -- in other words, if you are concerned about this you have to try a number of cables and see which you prefer.
Roon (Mac Mini), Wilson Benesch Full Circle, Expert 1000 Pro CI, Kaiser Chiara
Warwickshire, UK
