2. digital
  3. 192735-2444

DDC Cableing

I have a new Denafrips Gaia DDC expected to arrive in a few days. My understanding is that except for converting the original input type (USB to I2S), the only real change is to clean up the incoming signal.

I plan to use a high-quality cable coming out of the DDC into the DAC (I2s over a DVD-type cable). But what about the quality of the cable from the source into the DDC? Does that have an effect on the final signal at all given the transformation put on the signal by the DDC?

(Is this a Digital or Cables post, the admins can sort that out.)

jaybe

Showing 1 response by sns

sns
3,598 posts
 

I agree with most of what @soix stated with the exception of I2S cable. I recently directly compared a $70 I2S copper cable to Tubulus Ximius with my Denafrips Gaia, the difference was staggeringly obvious. Now I'm not going to tell you a $1500 I2S cable is necessary but I2S cables don't all sound the same. As for the I2S cable don't waste your money on any cable with more than eight individual pins wired, this all you need for audio only use. Think about the price of silver or any quality metal, don't waste your money on all the extra wire needed for video/HDMI use.

 

As for cable going into the DDC, based on my belief that everything in streaming chain matters, one needs to optimize this as well. In my case using Audioquest Diamond usb which was chosen many years ago vs many other usb cables auditioned.

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