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musicproduction·Music Productionbynavigator

USB-C vs TRS (via interface) inputs

I bought a pair of Ortizan studio monitors for my home studio. Aside from the standard TRS, RCS, and aux inputs, it has a usb-c option. Would it be better to directly connect my desktop via usb-c instead of going through my interface and into the TRS inputs? I figured skipping a step (interface) would keep the signal more pure, but then I'm just transferring the digital-to-analog processing from the interface to the speakers themselves. Or is that the wrong assumption and should I stick to the interface+TRS connection?

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Zatore
lemmy.zip

I'm not sure you would be able to hear a difference. You could try both ways and see, but probably not worth the hassle. Id use USB to take an extra link from the signal chain.

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navigatorreply
piefed.zip

I did some light reading and I think interface+TRS is looking to be the better option for the following reasons:

  • The monitors’ DAC might be modest (they are supposed to be for music production after all), but a dedicated audio interface which is built specifically for it would still likely have a better DAC than the monitors' built-in interface. The specialty of a speaker is the actual speaker components, not the built-in interface.
  • Using balanced TRS cables means you eliminate any noise before it hits the actual speaker components. While USB-C won’t have any analog noise, any noise that gets involved after it leaves the USB cable and as it gets processed from the speaker DAC and into the speaker components has no protection.

Do you think that's a fair assessment?

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Zatorereply
lemmy.zip

If you're concerned about the DAC being not great then yes, the audio interface is the better option. However using TRS cables doesn't mean there can't be noise. Your audio interface will have a noise floor too. It's still possible that the amplifier in the speaker will be the thing that introduces noise. I doubt the DAC in the speaker will make more noise than the pre-amp and amp components, but you could test it.

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navigatorreply
piefed.zip

Id use USB to take an extra link from the signal chain.

This is what I was thinking as well, but then the question is, do I trust the monitors more than my interface to accurately process the signal? But you’re right, I guess the only way is to compare and see if there’s any difference. The problem now is that the burden is on me to identify which one is more accurate, instead of deferring to an actual proven fact that one is better than the other. lol

Thanks for responding!

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