Dear All:
thank you all kindly for the information. i'm seriously considering buying this mini-i Pro 3 but still can't figure a few things out, hope you guys might be able to clear this up.
my intention is to use ONLY tidal hifi (and its MQA) to stream - i will NOT use any downloaded music files.
(1) is it true that connecting the Pro3 via its ethernet input to an ethernet port (incoming internet signal, i.e. from a router or a switch) will NOT allow the Pro3 to do full MQA unfolding/decoding? i am under the impression that in order for the Pro3 to do full unfolding/decoding of MQAs, the ONLY TWO options are: USB to computer, or via Wifi. i'd most appreciate the good folks here clarifying this. Thank you in advance.
(2) considering the issues with using a USB-C cable (only short lengths available, plus due to the high amp fast charge, there is a conflict with an internal chip in the USB-C connectors), i was told to use a regular USB-A to USB-A cable as i need a long run of around 10 feet, and then use an adapter that is USB-A to USB-C like this:
https://www.amazon.com/nonda-Adapter-Thunderbolt-MacBook-Surface/dp/B07XYTHCXV/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=usb+atoc+adapter&qid=1606805063&s=electronics&sr=1-2&tag=headfi-20&th=1
the thinking is this: since the chip inside the USB-C plug is used for 3 amp fast charging, the way to ENSURE that there isn't such a chip is to use a USB-A to USB-A cable, even if it's a USB 3.0 USB-A cable and plug, it's ok because even USB 3.0 supports only up to 1.5 amps of current, so we're safe from the chip in the USB-C plug that does 3.0 amp fast charging that some say is causing many issues with this mini i-Pro3 device.
is it true please? will using a 10-foot long USB-A to USB-A cable be an issue please? would using a USB-3.0 USB-A cable be better due to superior shielding?
(3) I had thought that my workaround to avoid using such a long (10 feet) USB cable would be to connect via ethernet, but then i read that connecting via ethernet would NOT allow for MQA full unfolding/decoding. so i am thinking that the only workaround to avoid using a long USB cable and still get full MQA unfolding/decoding would be via WIFI? would wifi solve this problem? as my desktop PC is connected to the same network router as the wifi, but my desktop pc is via hardwire ethernet, and wifi is of course wifi, would i be able to use the Tidal Windows app on my desktop PC to control what is being played back on the mini i-Pro3? or must i use merely a cellphone (Android) Matrix app to operate it?
my ideal scenario is to be able to use my desktop PC's large monitor to control what is being played as it is large and generous to be able to see many albums, arrange playlists, etc.
Thank you all in advance.