Desktop Computers

Zindan

Zindan

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Has anyone had experience with high quality USB hubs, specifically regarding their ability to take in a USB-C (Audio) signal and have the devices connected to the hub get the identical signal as if they were connected to the PC directly?

I've come up with nothing trying to find an audio device that would accept a usb input and have two digital outputs, so I'm down to looking for a really good usb hub to connect my Headphone DAC/Amp and a set of powered speakers too.
 
INTHEMIDSTOFLIONS

INTHEMIDSTOFLIONS

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Zindan said:
Has anyone had experience with high quality USB hubs, specifically regarding their ability to take in a USB-C (Audio) signal and have the devices connected to the hub get the identical signal as if they were connected to the PC directly?

I've come up with nothing trying to find an audio device that would accept a usb input and have two digital outputs, so I'm down to looking for a really good usb hub to connect my Headphone DAC/Amp and a set of powered speakers too.
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Anker makes god tier products. I have bought two of their usb docks that I’m happy with (not with jacks, I use Bluetooth headphones).

but this one would be the one I’d get by them if I wanted that. https://a.co/d/iwVfwpG

They make extremely high quality equipment that lasts forever. All of my chargers and charging cords have been Anker since 2019. I’ve only had to replace one since then.
 
darkmiasma

darkmiasma

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Zindan said:
Has anyone had experience with high quality USB hubs, specifically regarding their ability to take in a USB-C (Audio) signal and have the devices connected to the hub get the identical signal as if they were connected to the PC directly?

I've come up with nothing trying to find an audio device that would accept a usb input and have two digital outputs, so I'm down to looking for a really good usb hub to connect my Headphone DAC/Amp and a set of powered speakers too.
Click to expand...

Like this (and use 2 of them):


or an actual hub like this:

www.soundphilereview.com

IKKO ITX01 review: a USB-C hub for audiophiles - Soundphile Review

My other big passion other than audio or, more correctly maybe, my main big passion is technology. I’ve been passionate … More
www.soundphilereview.com www.soundphilereview.com
 
Zindan

Zindan

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Look at things this way: I have once Source (PC) that has 1 USB-C port and I have 2 difference speaker setups that I want to the PC connected too. Both speakers have USB-C ports. I've looked at several of these Hubs, and I see they have lots of different ports, and the only audio reference they have is a headphone jack (which I would never use). If all USB-C ports are equal in terms of allowing hi resolution audio, then I would need a hub that had 3 USB-C ports.
 
Neranja

Neranja

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Zindan said:
If all USB-C ports are equal in terms of allowing hi resolution audio, then I would need a hub that had 3 USB-C ports.
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Not all USB-C ports (and cables for that matter) are made equal, which is even more of a problem because Thunderbolt uses the same connectors. You can get cables and ports ranging from USB 2.0 speeds with USB-C connectors, or commonly with 5 Gbit/s or 10 GBit/s.

For pure audio USB 2.0 speeds are totally fine, so you can even use USB-A to USB-C cables. These are almost always USB 2.0 speeds, where you get 30-40 MBytes/s. Even two channels of 24 bit 96kHz audio is under 600 kBytes/sec. The cheapest and easiest solution is to buy USB-A to USB-C cables and directly attach it to the computer, or buy the cheapest USB hub. Switch with like ... Ctrl-Windows-V.

If you however want to have the same exact signal delivered to both speaker sets at the same time, that is a whole other can of worms.
 
Zindan

Zindan

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Neranja said:
Not all USB-C ports (and cables for that matter) are made equal, which is even more of a problem because Thunderbolt uses the same connectors. You can get cables and ports ranging from USB 2.0 speeds with USB-C connectors, or commonly with 5 Gbit/s or 10 GBit/s.

For pure audio USB 2.0 speeds are totally fine, so you can even use USB-A to USB-C cables. These are almost always USB 2.0 speeds, where you get 30-40 MBytes/s. Even two channels of 24 bit 96kHz audio is under 600 kBytes/sec. The cheapest and easiest solution is to buy USB-A to USB-C cables and directly attach it to the computer, or buy the cheapest USB hub. Switch with like ... Ctrl-Windows-V.

If you however want to have the same exact signal delivered to both speaker sets at the same time, that is a whole other can of worms.
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Indeed it is. I would want the port / cables to be able to support 24bit/192kHz at the very least, as that is what my current DAC supports, and I believe the Kef speakers I'm considering support that (and higher).

Using a Hub is a last resort, tbh, basically because I'm lazy and I'd rather not have to use Windows to switch between speakers. I had thought that getting a new DAC or something like a Preamp with digital outputs would simple and easy... but no. The only device I've found so far which is close to what I want doesn't have an USB input (just optical), Wiim Ultra streamer thing. Though USB-C to Optical adapters do exist. I just think the Wiim has waaaay more features than I would use.
 
INTHEMIDSTOFLIONS

INTHEMIDSTOFLIONS

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Just picked up 2x16 CL30 6000 mhz Silicon Power XPower DDR5 for $105 after shipping.

Someone had an ebay listing under the wrong category, and I found it and immediately bought it for asking price. I didn't even offer to low ball them. I think it had been up for a minute just under the gardening > air & cooling section.

Also picked up a 7800x3d from a buddy for $250.
 
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Tmac

Tmac

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INTHEMIDSTOFLIONS said:
Just picked up 2x16 CL30 6000 mhz Silicon Power XPower DDR5 for $105 after shipping.

Someone had an ebay listing under the wrong category, and I found it and immediately bought it for asking price. I didn't even offer to low ball them. I think it had been up for a minute just under the gardening > air & cooling section.

Also picked up a 7800x3d from a buddy for $250.
Click to expand...

Sniped!

sniper roof GIF by South Park
 
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Neranja

Neranja

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Zindan said:
Using a Hub is a last resort, tbh, basically because I'm lazy and I'd rather not have to use Windows to switch between speakers.
Click to expand...
That's not how USB works. It's not a broadcast/multicast thing, but point-to-point and packet-oriented. When you have two different sets of speakers connected, the computer sends the audio twice, once for each set of speakers, even if you have both on the same USB hub connected. On a more technical level: An USB device can have multiple endpoints and interfaces for different features. However, each device has an individual device descriptor, and they can't be shared. Data flows only from one single endpoint to another endpoint.

Easiest solution, software-only, and what a lot of streamers use: Download Voicemeeter from VB-Audio home page - even the smallest version can send your audio mix to two different outputs (A1 and A2) at the same time. The bigger versions (Banana and Potato) have more features, more inputs, and 3 or 5 outputs.

Should probably work too, but haven't tested it myself: Steinberg Mixkey MixKey: All-in-one streaming audio mixer
 
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INTHEMIDSTOFLIONS

INTHEMIDSTOFLIONS

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Lanx said:
i see the ancient art of ripping off your friends hasn't died down, heh

jk

how come you don't ask this dude to help you build the pc, and whats he upgrading to? a 9800?
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He lives in Manhattan and I live on the west coast. Yeah he switched to a 9800x3d when it came out, so his 7800x3d has just been sitting in a box. He’s a finance bro.

he did also offer me a 4070 ti for a good deal, but the shipping alone would be like $100-150. I’m just getting a 9070 xt 16 instead.
 
Zindan

Zindan

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Neranja said:
That's not how USB works. It's not a broadcast/multicast thing, but point-to-point and packet-oriented. When you have two different sets of speakers connected, the computer sends the audio twice, once for each set of speakers, even if you have both on the same USB hub connected. On a more technical level: An USB device can have multiple endpoints and interfaces for different features. However, each device has an individual device descriptor, and they can't be shared. Data flows only from one single endpoint to another endpoint.

Easiest solution, software-only, and what a lot of streamers use: Download Voicemeeter from VB-Audio home page - even the smallest version can send your audio mix to two different outputs (A1 and A2) at the same time. The bigger versions (Banana and Potato) have more features, more inputs, and 3 or 5 outputs.

Should probably work too, but haven't tested it myself: Steinberg Mixkey MixKey: All-in-one streaming audio mixer
Click to expand...
Its not that I want a signal to be sent to the two speakers at the same, it is that I'd rather not use the Windows UI during gaming or listening to music to swap speakers vs. the possibility of simply pressing a remote button or unplugging headphones. ;p
 
darkmiasma

darkmiasma

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INTHEMIDSTOFLIONS said:
He lives in Manhattan and I live on the west coast.

he did also offer me a 4070 ti for a good deal, but the shipping alone would be like $100-150.
Click to expand...

LOL, my friends and I just ship/give stuff to each other for free. I don’t think we’ve taken money off each other since we went to college.

I would never consider asking for shipping. No offense man, but that’s pretty lame of your friend.
 
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Kajiimagi

Kajiimagi

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darkmiasma said:
LOL, my friends and I just ship/give stuff to each other for free. I don’t think we’ve taken money off each other since we went to college.

I would never consider asking for shipping. No offense man, but that’s pretty lame of your friend.
Click to expand...
yeah exactly!

Or you know just giving stuff to random board members cuz they seem nice.
 
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Aazrael

Aazrael

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So I suddenly got some extra cash and was thinking of upgrading my RTX 3080. But even with benchmarks and chatgpts help I don't see a big enough improvement to go for a RTX 5080 and motivate that horrible price.

A 5070ti might be a better fit but I am totally clueless nowadays what's good in the GPU scene.

I don't see me spending more than $1000 for a card. And with that price it does not seem worth it.

A 5080 in Sweden is around $1500+.

Any tips on what to look for it just wait for the next generation.
 
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Neranja

Neranja

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Aazrael said:
Any tips on what to look for it just wait for the next generation.
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If you're satisfied with the performance and just want to burn cash: don't. Nvidia is probably going to release the Super refresh cards some time Q1, and then you probably could buy the older generation cheaper.

I'd wait for the next Nvidia generation anyway, because that should come with a node shrink. And if the rumors are true, AMD may have something on their hand with RNDA 5, but that is (just like Nvidia Rubin) for late 2026.
 
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Aazrael

Aazrael

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Neranja said:
If you're satisfied with the performance and just want to burn cash: don't. Nvidia is probably going to release the Super refresh cards some time Q1, and then you probably could buy the older generation cheaper.

I'd wait for the next Nvidia generation anyway, because that should come with a node shrink. And if the rumors are true, AMD may have something on their hand with RNDA 5, but that is (just like Nvidia Rubin) for late 2026.
Click to expand...
The 3080 is starting to show it's age, or it might just be badly optimized games.

Would be nice with an upgrade but it is a lot of cash. I found a MSI Ventus (the same as my 3080) for $1100. So that feels like it's doable for a refresh.

My GF does need a new card so I would give her my 3080, big upgrade from a 2060.

Will ponder a while more.
 
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