Just about to pull the trigger on Pontus 15th ...

Looks interesting.  Seems like Denafrips would be a safer bet given the positive reviews and you can buy it on Agon.

Laiv's website says they will calculate duties, but you probably have to go through checkout to figure out what that is.  Vinshine prices seem to be quite a bit higher. 

That make sense. I thought it was odd that he was charging $3700 for the Laiv Harmony. 

It seems like there are enough positive reviews for the Harmony micro dac that it's worth rolling the dice and trying one.  It's nice that the ddc could take it to another level if you ever got the upgrade bug. 

I took a chance on my current dac based on a couple of reviews that I hoped were accurate and honest.  There was a return option that would have cost me about $150 but I ended up keeping it. 

Makes sense.  If you like what you have, no rush to do anything.  I don't recall what you are using for a dac.  I think you have a Cambridge streamer?

I'm happy with my current dac.  It is better than the R26.  It's a chip dac which isn't popular among some folks, but I think it sounds good and that's what matters. I don't plan to upgrade any time soon.

I’m using a Gustard U18 DDC between my Innuos streamer and dac.  It converts USB to I2S.  I checked with Gustard and Innuos about using the U18 or skipping it and going USB directly from the streamer to my dac.  Both Gustard and Innuos recommended using the DDC, so I never tried it without the U18.  I already had the U18, so I’m using it.

I’ll probably try going USB direct from my streamer to my dac to see if I hear any difference.  I really thought that Gustard or Innuos would suggest skipping the U18. 

@lanx0003 So, I decided to try the direct USB connection between my streamer and dac eliminating the DDC.  It still sounds really good, but I do notice a little bit less detail and clarity.  Like you said, that could be the DDC, or it could be that my dac is optimized for I2S.  I have no way to test it because my Innuos only has USB outputs.  

Anyway, I'll leave the DDC in the chain.  

OK. I read your question again. You were asking about the clock into the ddc.  I was commenting on the clock into the dac. 

I hadn't really tried switching between the external and internal clocks on the ddc. So, I tried that tonight. I do think the external clock helps here. Seems like a little more clarity and punch.  

I don't exactly understand how these clocks work to be honest....

Yes, I have.  To be honest, I don't hear any difference, but my dac has a pretty good clock built in. 

@lanx0003   I have a LHY OCK-2.  I'll try that some time. 

@lanx0003 Yes, 50 ohms.   I had read that sine wave was recommended, so I hadn't tried square wave.  After you mentioned it, I did some internet searching and found forum posts where people found that the square wave yielded additional detail. Some felt it was too much. I figured it was worth a try. 

I think the LHY clock is definitely better than the clock in the Gustard U18.  I haven't tried the internal clock on the dac with square wave going to U18.  Figured it made sense to connect them both externally, but maybe it's fine to mix them.

Thanks again for the suggestion. :)

@lanx0003 Maybe my hearing is just better early in the day, but changing to square wave connections to both the ddc and dac is sounding really good.  A hair more clarity and better separation of instruments and harmonized vocals.  Bass notes seem better defined and punchier.  I'll listen more tonight, but I think I'll leave it this way.  Thank you for the suggestion!