Return the DDC. It’s garbage.
Save the money and get a better dac and better streamer.
Do I still need a DDC in between?
This is my current rig:
Wiim Ultra (DH Labs Mirage / Cardas Clear USB, 0.5m) → Gustard U18 (DH Labs HDMI 2.1, 0.5m) → Harmony μDAC (Mogami quad XLR) → Parasound A23 (Belden 5T00UP) → Wharfedale Linton
The sound is very good to my ears—excellent tonality, detail, and especially soundstage, with impressive height and depth. However, I’m considering trying the Volumio Rivo Plus released recently, which offers an I²S-over-HDMI connection.
My question is: would I still need the DDC (i.e., Gustard U18) in between, or would a direct I²S connection from the Rivo+ to the Harmony μDAC deliver comparable or even better sound quality? Have you had any direct or similar experience with this kind of setup? Any advice would be appreciated.
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@audphile1 word |
I’m fine with returning the U18, but I’m fully satisfied with the Harmony Micro DAC and the Rivo Plus/LPS I’m considering. If I ever need a DDC again, I’ll just get a better unit like the SU-6 or the Micro DDC. I’m not sure the folks making that statement have ever actually auditioned these units. I know exactly where the point of diminishing returns is for my system. |
Sync means using Gaia clock. By the way both DDC and dac use I2S clock, I2S is native pathway in every dac, you're bypassing dac I2S clock when syncing or using DDC or streamer with I2S interface. Perhaps some have used inferior DDC if found to be lacking vs other interface, I don't see much sense in using I2S if I2S clock implementation in dac superior or equal to DDC/streamer clock. |
- 23 posts total