USB vs. HDMI

[barry59]

Another Noob with another question. All things being equal, if I've got a laptop and an external DAC with both USB and HDMI inputs, which, if either would be superior in a 2.1 or 2.2 audio set up such as this: laptop --> DAC --> amp --> speaker?

Edit: wasn't able to find anything here via search that delt with this specifically, but perhaps my search game needs improvement.

 

[staticV3]

Which DAC, for example?

 

[barry59]

SMSL DO100 PRO 2​

for what it's worth, what I've found, in general, is USB-C is considered better.

 

[DVDdoug]

I wouldn't expect any difference. USB MIGHT be easier to configure if you are playing a DV D or Blu-Ray other something with surround sound. It has to be decoded & downmixed in software when you have a stereo DAC. USB expects that. HDMI can send the original encoded data to an AVR for decoding and/or downmixing.

 

[staticV3]

SMSL DO100 PRO 2​

A DO100 PRO 2 does not exist.

A DO100 Pro exists, which has an HDMI(ARC) port that cannot be connected to a laptop or PC.

It can only be connected to a TV with a matching HDMI(ARC) port.

 

[barry59]

Amazon.com

So if the input on the DAC is labeled HDMI ARC, it wouldn't be compatible for audio out from a laptop?

 

[staticV3]

Amazon.com

"2" is not part of the product name, it's part of the "2 x ES9039Q2M" description.

Here's the product page: https://www.smsl-audio.com/portal/product/detail/id/866.html

So if the input on the DAC is labeled HDMI ARC, it wouldn't be compatible for audio out from a laptop?

Correct. You can only connect it to another HDMI(ARC) port, commonly found on modern TVs.

 

[barry59]

Ok, thank you, @staticV3!

I've got a lot to learn!!

 

[Roland68]

SMSL DO100 PRO 2​

for what it's worth, what I've found, in general, is USB-C is considered better.

DACs generally use USB 2.0, regardless of whether the connector is USB A, B, C, Micro, or something else.

It makes no difference and can't make any difference.