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.

lanx0003

By the way both DDC and dac use I2S clock, I2S is native pathway in every dac...

No.  Don’t assume that.  Go back to read your Harmony manual again regarding I2s Clock (Sec. 4.2).  It clearly says "This feature enables you to select between the local DAC clock or the I2S clock when utilizing the I2S input."  The ’local DAC clock’ option is manifest by itself.  If you opt for ’I2S clock’, the DAC will be slaved to DDC’s clock and use the I2S clock unless the I2S clock becomes unstable or incompatible. 

This is an unique feature offered by Harmony DAC and µDAC. 

It is good idea to try a good ethernet cable.  Thx.  Do I also need a good switch box and / or ethernet-optical-ethernet converter there, @audphile1, you think?

Keep it simple!  I like that answer as long as it is effective.  Any suggestion?  DH Labs or other vendors that won't break my bank?

@lanx0003 You're misunderstanding me. I2S is the native digital pathway in every dac, this is the DEFAULT clock used regardless of input chosen. Section 4.2 simply states one can sync or use DDC I2S clock OR use dac internal clock using async. Important point is local clock is in FACT a I2S clock, it is the native pathway in every dac, this just a matter of semantics. 

 

And these are NOT unique features of udac and Harmony. Many dacs with I2S input and DDC offer sync or async options, as well as configurable pin.