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Do I really Need a Digital to Digital Converter?

Over the last few years I have continued to upgrade my digital front end and currently use an Auralic G2 (with upgraded power supply) and a Musician Pegasus R2R DAC. Some of the (mostly Asian) DAC manufacturers also make digital to digital converters (like the Denefrips Iris and Hermes).

So my questions are, if what these DDCs do so important, why aren’t they built into into DACs or Streamers in the first place. Are they only incorporated in higher end digital gear but not gear at the level I am using?. What will adding one of these bring to the table or should I just upgrade my DAC or Streamer to get the same result? Do I really need another piece of gear and another set of cables to clutter up my rack?

Appreciate input from anyone who as direct experience with these DDCs in their audio journey.

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Showing 2 responses by decooney

decooney
1,906 posts
 

@j_andrews All that said, I sold both the Ares II and the Iris and now I’m just running coax Spdif into a Border Patrol dac from my streamer and I’m happy as a clam.

 

If you could explain a bit more about what you hear and enjoy from the BorderPatrol dac, could help others considering comparable dacs you’ve owned and resold.

I’ve not tried the Denefrips dacs you have, and currently own the BorderPatrol SE-I dac myself. It’s unlike any of my five prior dacs in how it presents music, in its own unique way.

 

 

 

decooney
1,906 posts
 

@j_andrews I don’t think I would sell the BP though, hope that helps.

 

Yes, Thanks, it does help. Reconfirms what I hear too, and a bit more - maybe. Also, totally related on a thread titled "Do I really Need a Digital to Digital Converter?"

In both of our cases, seems so, yes, we need and like having one, won’t give it up.

Btw, I get plenty of detail out of my Border Patrol SE-I dac, using a Cardas Clear S/PDIF digital coax cable, which feeds a capable 6SN7 dual triode preamplifier out to mono tube amps, all Cardas cable. One thing about the BP, gotta let it break-in though, weeks, not days. Some people really miss this part, and jump to conclusions comparing to sizzling dacs. They pass them on to others get good deals and pick them up and enjoy!

Mine sounds natural, no etch or grain, none, not unnecessarily detailed in any way, just there, full body. As you noted, pure music. Enjoying mine quite a bit now. 

As a result of the design, I can hear a little bit more upper midrange presence than my other R2R dacs in a more natural way. i.e. I can hear the reeds and fine grain tones on a saxophone that I don’t hear on some tracks, with my other dacs, for example. It’s pretty cool, mine is a keeper here too.

I think it takes a revealing system to truly appreciate what it can do. Works well in the right setup.

 

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