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

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. 

@sns  I am not trying to be argumentative but I respectfully disagree with the generalization you have made regarding:

I2S is the native digital pathway in every dac, this is the DEFAULT clock used regardless of input chosen.

"local clock is in FACT a I2S clock", "just a matter of semantics"

That directly conflicts with the statement in the manual: 'When users switch to other digital inputs, the DAC seamlessly transitions back to using the local clock.' When other inputs are selected, there is no such thing as an 'I²S clock' in that timing information is not pipelined separately from the signal data. Please be precise with the terminology. You may want to double-check with Harmony.

Your Gustard U18 mitigates jitter to as low as 38fs according to the specs. Have you seen anything in the other DAC or source that says they beat that? 

@lanx0003 when I went to the last audio show in Florida the DH Labs guys were there. I literally had the Mirage USB in hand to purchase & we started talking cables & equipment. He ended up telling me if I was only going to buy one cable he recommended his Ethernet cable. Saying it would give me the better result over switching my USB cable. 

Unfortunately for him I ended up not buying either cable because I wasn't exactly sure what exact length I needed in Ethernet form. I still haven't committed to buying the best I can afford as I know my current streaming set up will be moving. But I did go to LanShack & get custom length 23awg solid copper conductor Cat8 for now. Individual twisted pair shielding with outer braid shielding as well. An improvement over my basic cable & didn't cost much. Connectors are not as nice as the DH Labs Reunion cable.