Macbook No NAS Config: Best SQ external Storage?

[helloharry]

Wondering if anyone is connecting MacBook Air as a one computer config so one usb port is connecting to dac, and internal ssd as boot drive - whats the best sq solution in your experience:

 

1. Use another usb port for external hdd - ssd, or just a regular drive? I play mostly dsd;

 

2. Use the SD card slot and better sq or not?

 

3. Use thunderbolt external hdd, better sq?

 

Audirvana manual recommends making sure the high speed usb port are dedicated to usb connection to dac, not sure if the 2 usb ports on macbook air is on same circuit thus shared, therefore am wondering if using the other connection options may imprive sq. Anyone can chime in on this? Thanks.

[bixby]

Best sound when I had my mac mini was to get the external storage off the usb port, period.  It's okay but better sound if the hdd is not attached at all regardless of which usb ports used.  I used an Apple router and attached the drive to it and then ran ethernet to the mini.  More better sound.