@anzaanimalclinic - what I2S cable are you using? I read such mixed opinions on HDMI cables (no different than with any other cable, I guess), that I went cheap and bought an Audioquest, it's a 'Cinamon' I think, but I'd have to check.
Server/Source Recommendation For Denafrips Terminator
Just picked up a Terminator and quite like it so far. I've an old Cambridge 851C that I'm using as a transport for the couple hundred or so CDs that I haven't ripped, and an Aurender N100H along with NAS totaling around 7TB. Files are mostly FLAC, WAV and about 10% are DSD.
I'm looking to improve on the sound quality of the N100H. I don't have a real issue with the Conductor App functionality and no real desire/need to step into ROON.
However, I am looking to add some input flexibility and not be tied solely to USB. The Denafrips has the usual suspects when it comes to inputs and it also has I2S, which I used way back when with some old Audio Alchemy gear (yes, I'm that old).
I've zero interest in streaming and zero interest in buying a unit with an inbuilt DAC.
Is it worth trying to find something with I2S connectivity, or are the "gains" too small to worry about?
Can you recommend a music server that wouldn't constrain the potential of the Denafrips Terminator and could be found on the used market for around $3000 - $4000, perhaps a little more if needed?
Looking for feedback from people who value (or not) the I2s connectivity and who have some experience with this DAC and a variety of sources.
Many thanks.
Rooze
I'm looking to improve on the sound quality of the N100H. I don't have a real issue with the Conductor App functionality and no real desire/need to step into ROON.
However, I am looking to add some input flexibility and not be tied solely to USB. The Denafrips has the usual suspects when it comes to inputs and it also has I2S, which I used way back when with some old Audio Alchemy gear (yes, I'm that old).
I've zero interest in streaming and zero interest in buying a unit with an inbuilt DAC.
Is it worth trying to find something with I2S connectivity, or are the "gains" too small to worry about?
Can you recommend a music server that wouldn't constrain the potential of the Denafrips Terminator and could be found on the used market for around $3000 - $4000, perhaps a little more if needed?
Looking for feedback from people who value (or not) the I2s connectivity and who have some experience with this DAC and a variety of sources.
Many thanks.
Rooze
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The Terminator sounds best with I2S vs USB but the USB and or I2S cable makes or breaks the deal. I use an Iris between my server and Terminator Plus. I spent more each on the power cord and I2S cable than for the Iris but its all about what you need to do to get it right. The Terminator responds well to I2S cable upgrades. |
I recently purchased a Rockna DAC. I am using it with my Roon Nucleus. Looking to upgrade the nucleus. Have been looking at Baetis servers as well as the SGC. The Rockna has the I2S option, but as far as I can tell will only work with the Rockna server. Are there any servers I2S options that are not proprietary? |
I know nothing but here's an opinion. https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/study-is-i²s-interface-better-for-dacs-th... |
I'm a bit confused - wouldn't / shouldn't the N100 > DAC trump the three new items in the chain going to DAC? I've never used an aurender product yet, but they do seem appealing and by all accounts offer fantastic SQ? I myself have a somewhat complex chain, but I would like to try one their products just to see |
Thanks for the inputs above. I decided to 'tinker' with Roon, setting up Roon server on my Macbook and just getting a feel for its UI and such. To cut a long story short, I purchased a sonicTransporter i5, ultraRendu, iFi Zen Streamer and an ultraDigital for its i2s connectivity. The iFi Zen Streamer is a great little unit, tons of features and easy to get up and running. It's going into my office system feeding an Ayre Codex USB Dac. I'm still playing with the main setup into the Terminator DAC but so far I'm pleased with the results. Yes, it's a bit more complicated than I'd intended, but I think the results are worth it. I looked hard at the Gaia but didn't want to splash the cash at this point. The sonicT i5 gives me better options, controlling multiple endpoints etc, which would've been difficult to do via the Aurender and Gaia. I may still add a Gaia at some point down the line. Just closing the loop here, thanks again y'all. Rooze |
The easiest path forward is what @smatsui and @jaytor have suggested. It allows you to stay with what you know and are comfortable with in the Aurender or if you choose to upgrade your Aurender NH100 in the future. In my opinion, it does not add a layer of complexity. It is a natural pairing for the Denafrips. It brings overall upsides in sound quality and performance to the table, as well as the ability to optimize around the I2S input into the Terminator. It also gives you flexibility in Input/Outputs that you are, at present, not considering. If I recall correctly, it allows for an external clock should you be interested in adding one. |
Just to clarify my above post, the Gaia would added to your existing system between the N100H and the Terminator. From my understanding, the Gaia reclocks the USB signal from the N100H and outputs I2S to the Terminator. This should improve the N100H quite a bit since the Gaia uses an OCXO clock. Maybe a Denafrips user that has a Gaia can comment. |
You might consider the Denafrips Gaia that has a USB input and an I2S output. I think it reclocks using a OCXO clock for improved jitter performance. I also have a N100H and I bought something similiar to the Gaia, a Innuos Phoenix USB reclocker that also has an OCXO clock and a Sean Jacobs linear power supply. The Gaia might have been a better route for me too but at the time, I was using a Bryston BDA-3 DAC that doesn’t have an I2S input. Since then, I sold the Bryston and upgraded to the Holo May KTE. The May has two I2S inputs so I could have benefited from the Gaia I2S output. The Phoenix USB relocker was a nice improvement to the N100H. If I were you, I would look into the Gaia. |