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Should I add a DDC? Looking for experienced advise please.

So I will make this as basic as possible. I am just trying to decide if adding a DDC is relevant in my system. 

I am currently running. Innuos ZEN mini MKiii with Innuos power supply, Denafrips Pontus II into an Aric Audio 6snl7 line stage that's been upgraded by Aric. For power I am bi-amping with a Aric Audio super KT88 120 SE on the upper end. A pair of  Pass labs ACA's built with all upgraded components and some mods on the low end. Into Monitor audio silver 500's. All cabling DIYed with hi quality ingredients and the guidance of Mr. Wonka!

I understand my speakers are probably not the best choice but this is where I am at the at this point. Actually I am quite happy with the sound. I stream Tidal and Qobuz as well as my CD collection via hard drive.

So am I just "pissing in the wind" thinking adding a Denafrips Hermes between the ZEN mini and Pontus II is going to give me any improvement at all?

Would love to hear some input from experience!

Thank you.

J.F.

johnfritter

Showing 1 response by jaytor

jaytor's avatar
jaytor
745 posts
 

I recommend getting the DDC. I've made a lot of changes to my streaming setup over the past 2 1/2 years and adding a Gaia DDC was the most significant improvement. I'll chronicle my journey so you have some idea of the steps I took. 

2 1/2 years ago, I had a Roon ROCK server connected over ethernet to a Bryston BDP-2 streamer, which was connected to my Denafrips Terminator via AES/EBU (also tried SPDIF and preferred the balanced connection). The Roon server was connected through a cheap switch to the Bryston. 

I upgraded the switch to an EtherRegen with the Bryston connected to the quiet side. 

Added a linear PS for the EtherRegen. These last two changes were noticeable but quite subtle.

Added the Gaia connected via i2S to the Terminator. Wow. This was immediately obvious even with a cheap $15 HDMI cable. The Bryston was connected to the Gaia with AES/EBU. 

Upgraded the i2s cable to a Tubulus Argentus. Subtle difference. 

Then I tried connecting the Roon server directly to the Gaia via USB. I could barely notice the difference with and without the Bryston streamer, so I sold the Bryston. Without the Gaia, the difference between connecting the Roon server directly to the Terminator and using the Bryston was quite noticeable. 

Upgraded my DAC to a Terminator Plus and used the slave clock connections to the Gaia. This was a nice improvement (after a few hundred hours of burn-in), but adding the Gaia to the Terminator was a larger (and way more immediate) improvement.

Bought a Sonore Optical Rendu connected to the optical port on the EtherRegen. This was a more noticeable difference than the Bryston was. 

Upgraded the Sonore to a Signature Rendu SE. Another somewhat subtle improvement. 

Replaced the Roon ROCK and EtherRegen with a SonicTransporter i9 optical connected optically to the Signature Rendu. I didn't notice any difference in sound quality, but the SonicTransporter is faster and allows me to use more DSP functions and support more zones throughout the house without having any drop-outs. 

Of all these changes, adding the Gaia to the Terminator was the most significant improvement, followed closely by upgrading from the Terminator to the Terminator Plus. I spent many times the cost of the Gaia on all the other upgrades (including some cables and power supplies I didn't mention) and the Gaia provided by far the most bang for the buck. 

That said, everything counts and my system sounds considerably better now than it did 2 1/2 years ago.

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