Matrix X-Hi Card: Can someone explain why this could be useful?

[heita0]

What exactly is the purpose of this product? What does it change compared to a regular USB port? I thought digital signals cannot be affected by all that audio jazz. What even is USB noise? Isn't it just an exact stream of 1s and 0s agnostic to physical context (malfunction aside)?

Matrix are a very respected brand, so I'd love to learn what I'm not understanding here. Why might a person get this for their computer?

 

[VintageFlanker]

What even is USB noise? Isn't it just an exact stream of 1s and 0s agnostic to physical context (malfunction aside)?

USB not only carries data but also electrical signal. Your PC may transmit noise through USB ports.

A decently designed DAC should be immune to this.

 

[ZolaIII]

To take your money. At best case (if it really really works which I doubt) you will get 3~4 dB more of SINAD if you use a portable dongle alike DAC. Most desktop ones will have a separate power input and regulation of their own. Most absurd part regarding this PCIe USB is power supply input at 9~12V. Besides aluminium is not a best IEM shielding. It also blocks the air flow to GPU (quite effectively).

 

[heita0]

Unexpected from Matrix. The use case @VintageFlanker intimates is also tenuous, which I have no doubt he will agree with. At ~$300 for the card, you can just get a decent DAC.