2. digital
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Does a DDC make SQ of all basic streamer roughly equal?

Vinshine Audio has a YouTube video of a Lumin streamer and makes the point that a DDC is less critical with a good streamer such as the Lumin vs something like the BlueSound node.

Ignoring the higher end streamers of Lumin + Auralic, do you think a Denafrips Hermes DDC attached to any of the "entry level" streams effectively narrows the sound quality gap across models like BlueSound Node, Wiim Pro, Innous Mini, EverSolo, Matrix, etc, etc.

I understand a DDC can't fix everything, but does it get you close enough SQ wise, that you can simply pick your streamer based off your preferred user experience of the software? I do realize this is subjective.

I also wonder if that same Hermes DDC can elevate any regular CD player or BluRay player to the point where a dedicated transport (outside of the high end models like Jay's Audio) also won't had benefit to your CD playback.
 

michaelalan

Showing 2 responses by soix

soix
10,015 posts
 

FWIW, another member here got an Iris to feed his Pontus II from its i2S input and noticed a significant improvement similar to what I experienced although I can’t speak to the benefits with the Ares12. Here’s a nice used Iris listed at $399, but as a new one can now be had for $550 I’d think you could get closer to $350 if you haggle a bit (if it doesn’t impress you can always turn around and sell it). Either way it’s still quite a bit cheaper of an upgrade than buying a new streamer.

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650004682-denafrips-iris-ddc/

soix
10,015 posts
 

There are a lot of variables involved here, but it’s safe to say a DDC certainly can significantly improve streaming performance. A lot of it depends on what DAC you’re using and how much it can potentially benefit from using a better connection (like AES/EBU or i2S) and a better clock. In my case, being able to feed my Musician Pegasus DAC through its i2S input via a Denafrips Iris produced a big overall improvement in performance over using SPDIF. I don’t really think saying a DDC can potentially negate or minimize the need for a better streamer is the right way to look at this. Especially with streaming every link in the chain matters, and matters a lot, and going with a better streamer will likely produce improvements over and above what a DDC can do. I think it’s better just to think of the benefits a DDC may be able to bring to your system on its own and then consider every other link in the chain on their individual merits. Just my take and experience FWIW.

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