DDC With I2S in and Out

I have owned the SU-1 KTE, the SU-2, and the SU-6. All did a great job. I now own a Gaia 12th, it seems like a higher tier than any of those. I'm not sure why one might need an I2S input though. If your streamer already puts out I2S, why not go straight to the DAC that way? Unless it isn't compatible or something.

@sns  @car123 

Well said, and I’m in agreement on the Gaia quality. I also run the Aether clock into my unit. I only wish I could run the I2S out from a SACD player into the Gaia. I emailed Denafrips support with this request to have it added to the next version.

Like sns, I also had an SU 6 and now have a Gaia 12th.  There is no comparison in my system.  The SU 6 was disappointing and was outperformed by usb, but the Gaia brings something special to the table.

The SU 6 may have slightly better jitter specs, it does not outperform the Gaia. I previously owned SU-6,now own Gaia, far more than a single spec determines quality. Gaia build quality far superior, better internal power supply, higher quality OXCO clock and power supply to that clock, better optimization on inputs. 

The microDDC is one of a kind in terms of input/output design. It sounds better than the Singxer SU-6 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmycorlO2Vo), which in turn outperforms the Gaia—at least on paper—in terms of electrical noise and jitter (https://goldensound.audio/2021/10/04/denafrips-gaia-measurements-with-terminator-clock-sync-test/). What’s not to like?