I think your priorities are misguided. You’re prioritizing the uDDC that’s left you stuck with nothing but i2S and letting that dictate your options rather than prioritizing a DAC that actually produces the sound you’re looking for. Your goals would point strongly toward something from Lampi, but I’ve no doubt the Terminator 25th would also be a big improvement in the areas you’re looking to improve though won’t have tube magic of the Lampi. FWIW, and best of luck.
Tube DAC with i2s input?
Hi all, I want to upgrade from my Pontus II which is a good DAC but I'm looking for better depth/dimension, separation and analog warmth. I recently added a Laiv uDDC to the Pontus and that improved things notably so I'd like to keep that option for a new tube DAC, however most I come across do not have i2s input. Any suggestions? Budget $4-6k thanks. - Rich
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@soix I appreciate your POV and you may very well be right, but IF it existed wouldn't it be a nice option to have the possibility of improving the tone further with a DDC? But yes, it's possible that isn't a choice and a Lampi is something I"d lean towards over a Terminator. BTW anyone have any experience with Veridian Utopia Sirius DAC? Custom made and i2s is a possibility but communication with the builder has been slow and lack of info also gives me pause. |
My components and power management are discussed in my Virtual System. Tweaks for the signal and power clean-up were gleaned from Audiogon’s digital discussions. |
I was in a similar situation and had a Denafrips Pontus II with the Iris DDC using an I2S cable. I moved to a Lampizator Atlantic TRP with no DDC and using the USB input. It was a rather dramatic improvement in resolution and soundstage with the Lampizator. I don’t think you need a DDC with the Lampizator. |
Try Anallog Bridge down stream from current DAC |
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