USB 2.0 vs 3.0: Noticeable Sound Quality Difference

[omega66]

This is my first time using a DAC connected directly to a PC. Before this, I had a FiiO Taishan D03K, and the music went into the TV through HDMI, then from the TV to the DAC via optical, and finally into the amplifier. Back then I was using a Marantz PM5005 (my first amplifier), which I bought without any audition. When it broke, I replaced it with this Yamaha A‑S501 (also bought without audition), and I decided to change the DAC as well so I could remove the TV from the audio chain.

 

[Vincent Kars]

Although I didn’t really want to try it again because the difference seemed obvious the first time, I went home and did several blind tests and… surprise: I can’t detect even the slightest difference now.

Hero!
My compliments you did take the trouble to test properly.
Unfortunately this is how it works. Our perception is very unreliable. Kick out the cognitions, don't listen with your eyes.

 

[respice finem]

Windows uses WASAPI now though.

I'm using ASIO, bypassing it all - all DACs I have (see the "spoilered" part of my sig) came with ASIO drivers.
IIRC Windows 11 was supposed to get its own ASIO driver, but IDK if it has one already (I'm using Windows offline as a media player etc., and Linux for most other tasks).