For many applications the speed of digital communication is important. Most visibly "speed" is about transferring large files as quickly as possible or carrying enough data for an HD video. For USB (Universal Serial Bus) audio (and for HDMI audio) "speed" is critical not because of how-much how-fast but because time relationships within a digital stream are critical to the reconstruction of the analog waveform that brings information music & joy to our ears. Time-based damage (jitter) to this information within the data package makes the sound small & flat instead of 3D harsh & foggy instead of smooth & clear.