Thanks all!
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.)
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@jaybe - To your comment, I2S is a serial bus interface that that transmits digital audio signals and was originally designed for short connections inside of the component (i.e., DAC) case. It was therefore not intended to be subject to influences outside of the case. The industry has still not agreed on a standard for the I2S transmission cable. FWIW, I owned Metrum Acoustic's two top DACs, the Pavane and Adagio, each priced at $5K or over, and their Ambre endpoint. To connect I2S between the Ambre and their DACs, Metrum included (bog standard with plastic connectors) CAT 6 cables with the DACs. Just sayin'. I took a look at what Denafrips recommends for I2S, which is an HDMI-style cable (that looks like something from Belkin). It has a number of listed benefits that mostly seem to improve durability, which would be helpful if the owner is rough on their cables. Things that might affect sound quality could be silver conductors (although for digital, I don't understand how those would improve over copper) and gold plated connectors, which should help if you are in a corrosive environment. I read nothing about shielding, although they do spend a bit of their marketing print space on the benefits of techflex, which could be helpful if the cable were to be used near a fire, drug behind a car, or walked on a lot:
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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. |
The I2S cable is important. I read a number of posters swear by Tubulus I2S cables. I just got one off of USAudioMart (Concentus) and just put it in and it is immediately apparent (this was used so broken in) how good this cable is. I'd say its contribution is as about as good and as much as the DDC. |
In addition to converting to various output types, your DDC provides galvanic isolation to reduce noise over USB and also has a high quality OCXO clock to greatly reduce jitter among other things, and these are not small things and in my case with my Iris produced very significant improvements. As far as cables, my experience is everything in the streaming chain matters and is important, so I certainly wouldn’t skimp on the cable going into the DDC. I use this USB cable from LavriCables into my Iris DDC that’s got very high quality build/materials such as 5N silver and physically separate data and power legs but is still very reasonably priced (they make two higher models if you want more for your nice Gaia). https://www.lavricables.com/cables/ultimate-silver-dual-usb-a-b-interconnect-cable/ Incidentally, people here who have significantly upgraded their HDMI cable for i2S have reported relatively minor increases in performance, so you might consider not shooting the lights out on that cable. In fact, I’m using this $8 HDMI cable from Monoprice and am getting excellent results. I think this may be because the cable is only 12” long, and it’s critical that an i2S cable be as short as possible as the signal wasn’t designed for distance and degrades rapidly — 1 foot or less is recommended. Here’s what I use… https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=24187 This one actually seems a little better and can be had in 6” length that’d probably be even better if you can use that short length… https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=13574 I’d recommend getting one of these just for comparison purposes if nothing else to see what you’re getting (or not) by spending $$$ on a pricier HDMI cable — I have my doubts that it’s worth it and hopefully you can return the more expensive cable if it doesn’t deliver. Just my experience and thoughts FWIW.
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