I recently moved and set up all my stereo equipment, location wise but waiting on longer cables. In the meantime, I set up a temporary system, hooked up to my computer and I kept getting an audible hiss, not a buzz, but definitely noticeable when nothing was playing. I knew it was temporary, but it was still bothering me. Speakers are Cornwall IVs.
I use mine for the same thing. Going USB out of the computer to matrix to I2S input so I can create DSP filter for roon. I have not yet tried directly to the DAC USB… Probably would work too, but I want to keep it this way for when the Airlens comes…
I think you are on to something that makes perfect sense.
My 97db Spatial X5’s had a little (not problematic) hiss at close range and my mid 80’s db T+A 1000-40’s are dead silent in the same setup.
I did not swap out the USB cable, but I did try positioning the existing cable away from any speaker or power cables. There was no change so I decided to try adding the Matrix. This Matrix will later feed into my main DAC + Amp setup when I get longer cables, so it was a good test/fix.
If you decide on some Cornwalls in the future, or anything Klipsch, Paducah Home Theater was a joy to deal with, as well as the best priced. I originally inquired about the Fortes and ended up with the Cornwalls due to their pricing =)