The microDDC is one of a kind in terms of input/output design. It sounds better than the Singxer SU-6 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmycorlO2Vo), which in turn outperforms the Gaia—at least on paper—in terms of electrical noise and jitter (https://goldensound.audio/2021/10/04/denafrips-gaia-measurements-with-terminator-clock-sync-test/). What’s not to like?
18 responses Add your response
| Post removed |
The SU 6 may have slightly better jitter specs, it does not outperform the Gaia. I previously owned SU-6,now own Gaia, far more than a single spec determines quality. Gaia build quality far superior, better internal power supply, higher quality OXCO clock and power supply to that clock, better optimization on inputs. |
I have owned the SU-1 KTE, the SU-2, and the SU-6. All did a great job. I now own a Gaia 12th, it seems like a higher tier than any of those. I'm not sure why one might need an I2S input though. If your streamer already puts out I2S, why not go straight to the DAC that way? Unless it isn't compatible or something. |
I said, "...outperforms the Gaia...in terms of electrical noise and jitter," as shown below. I did not mean sonically. It's actually good that the Gaia still holds an edge sonically. The SU-6 was endorsed by several reviewers, including Hans, and I don't expect it to be a level below. Thanks for the feedback. Jitter(rms) Electrical(rms) Jitter(peak) Electrical(peak) Holo Red 73ps 2.97mV 213ps 12.9mV Singxer SU-6 75ps 3.3mV 225ps 13.7mV Singxer SU-2 KTE 85ps 3.2mV 247ps 13mV Denafrips Gaia 86ps 5.2mV 243ps 20.7mV Gustard U18 453ps 5.2mV 1133ps 22mV |
@996turbo911 Your omitting the most important advantage of using a quality ddc which is the I2S clock and power supply to the clock, and don't forget optimization of whatever input chosen. I very much doubt any streamer with I2S output has an equivalent clock, power supply to that in a quality ddc. If one is going to all the bother of using I2S they should ensure it's implementation, meaning clock and power supply is superior to master clock in dac. In other words one should hear sound quality improvement using ddc clock vs dac internal clock, this means syncing to ddc clock. |
If you subscribe to specs as the final arbiter of sound quality get the SU6, if you subscribe to sound quality as the final arbiter get the Gaia. During my ownership of SU6, being somewhat unhappy with it's performance and quality I researched upgrades,modding power supply was commonly cited, Gaia doesn't need a thing. |
@sns My Rockna Wavedream NET server does have I2S out which I feel outperforms the Gaia or any of the Singxer models I've owned. As it should for the price. I've got a friend who uses a more affordable Audiobyte Superhub with trickle down tech from Rockna, and I'd say that outperforms the Gaia as well. @ericrhodes1 I think they have their place depending on the situation. There are a lot of great music servers and streamers out there that don't have I2S outputs, but they do have really excellent USB outs. Then again many DACs don't have a very good USB input so a DDC is perfect for that. |
@996turbo911 I could simplify my setup via Pink Faun I2S PCIE card for my custom build atx server, thing is the Gaia in my present setup offers reference sound quality for a person who's long term reference for sound quality has always been mega expensive vinyl setups.
By far the most important element of adding Gaia and/or quality I2S interface was elimination of the last vestiges to what I'd refer to as 'digital' sound. Timing anomalies have long been acknowledged as a contributor to 'digital' sound vs analog. Digititus has been a long occurring result, long listening sessions may bring about a slight irritation. Digital sound in general has made great strides in minimizing this over the years, and I know this from direct experience. With the Gaia I finally reached this plateau where my digital met my analog reference for sound quality. I don't know if the Gaia or any ddc/I2S interface is the defacto reference, all I know is it delivers what I've long been seeking. At this point I have no plans or intentions of changing out a thing in my streaming setup. |
What I’m trying to achieve--- I have two sources, one coax/spdif out, the other AES out, both into the Gaia/Aether combo, then I2S into the DAC. I have a new, third source with I2S out. Hence the need to juggle all these outputs into a single I2S input into the DAC. At this point I’m considering running the new I2S device into a microDDC/SBooster LPS combo, and manually changing the DAC inputs depending on the source used. I wonder if an HDMI switcher is available, so two HDMI connectors in, and switchable to which one is output. But uncertain if this might this affect sound quality. At this point I’ve done more research and am pretty sure no device exists that has all the inputs I need (coax, AES, I2S). I heard back from Denafrips support that they will relay my feedback to add an I2S input to the Gaia, for whatever that's worth. |
Doesn't the Laiv unit do exactly what you need as far as inputs? It can take your coaxial, AES, and I2S signals on the inputs side, and send out a single I2S to your DAC. Seems like it is worth a try and probably much better than any sort of switcher you might rig up. That seems like a good way to lose sound quality. |
I too would like to see I2S added to Gaia. I presume some generic switch would have detrimental affects for sound quality, we do all this optimization of interfaces, can't believe this wouldn't have some detrimental affect. On that subject, all the generic streaming devices I've tried were inferior to quality audiophile device. |