Cary Audio Design DMS-500 Faq

USB-A, USB-B, Network Connection FAQ
Q: Should I use a USB DAC or streamer (network audio player) to playback my digital music
files?
A: USB and network audio are two entirely different fundamental approaches. You're either a
USB DAC person or a network audio person. There is no need to incorporate both into one unit.
•
An USB DAC requires a computer to be connected directly to the DAC via a USB
cable and sit right next to the audio system due to USB cable length limitations.
Control of the music is typically handled at the computer through the media player
software one chooses. Typically, an USB DAC can only connect and play music
from one computer at a time. Some media players do have iOS or Android apps to
make control a bit more flexible. If not, you must go to your computer to control
music selections. An USB DAC is a good choice if you do not have a home network,
not network savvy, or don't care about seeing or possibly hearing a computer while
enjoying your music.
•
A streamer (network audio player) connects to your network with either a wired
Ethernet or wireless Wi-Fi signal. The computer(s) and various network devices that
store your digital music files can be located anywhere (AWAY) from your audio
system as long as they are connected to the same network as your streamer
(network audio player). The Streamer (network audio player) controls the playback of
the music. Specialized server software one can install on their computer(s) expands
playback capabilities. Many streamers like our DMS-500/550/600 and AiOS have
custom apps for iOS and Android so control can take place from anywhere within
your network, such as while sitting and relaxing. Streamers can play music from
multiple networked computers seamlessly and are good choice for those comfortable
with networks and computers as to maximize comfort and flexibility while enjoying
your music.
Q: Can't I use a USB-DAC to stream network audio?
A: Yes, but...
To do so, you still either need a local computer connected to the DAC via USB alongside your
audio system, or use a streaming "appliance" that has USB output.
If using a computer connected to the DAC via USB alongside your audio system, you can
connect to other computers if the local computer and the other computers are all connected to
the same network. They would all have to run the same media player software and you could
potentially send music from one networked computer to the local computer connected to the
DAC via USB if all are set up properly. That's a big if! However, this begs the question, if you
have your local computer that is connected to the DAC via USB connected to a network as a
means to play music from another computer on the network, then isn't a more elegant solution
to use a device that is designed and engineered to do this instead of a jerry-rigged solution of
various computers using a combination of network, software, and USB. There are "audio"
solutions and there are "computer" solutions. Computer solutions can pose many detrimental
issues when used as an "audio device." Cary Audio streamers (network audio players) are not
repurposed computers like many so called streamers.