Do I still need a DDC in between?

@lanx0003 I would say that my expectations aren't too high..as I don't know for certain what to expect. I'm thinking maybe a slight loss of inner detail & slightly added distortion/warmth with the Laiv. I just don't know..but I would be ok with that outcome. There are a lot of very positive user reviews on the uDac. Where it just seems to hit the right "musical" spot. 

15th is a great dac. I have a feeling that the Laiv is too. I will say that customer service or correspondence is better thru Laiv. More engaging & he seems to take a real interest in the customer. I appreciate that & it means something to me. 

@mattw73   I don’t know about Denafrips’ customer service after they shifted their dealership from VinShine, as I don’t own any of their products. But with Laiv, I’ve had numerous correspondences—technical questions and product inquiries—and I always receive first-hand responses from either Weng or Soon within 24 working hours (there is 12 hrs time diff.).  Great service, bar none.

@sls883  You’re right about the I²S compatibility. I moved the U18 to pair with the Topping D90III Discrete via I²S, and there’s no static noise—so it seems there’s no issue with the used U18 I got. Now, my second rig sounds noticeably better, again, with the Wiim Ultra + U18 combo.

I recall you mentioned trying to get a Wiim Ultra for your son. Is it still around? If so, I’m curious whether you could conduct a no-confirmation-bias comparison between that combo and the Innuos Zenith Mk III (if that’s the one you have), to see how closely the combo performs against the Zenith. Is it doable?  Thx.

@mattw73  Is your micro dac fully broken in yet?  It should be about time, right.  What is you verdict?

I finally purchased the Rivo plue.  Hans and many others were not exaggerating, it is on another league from those entry levels and on par with if not exceeding higher end such as Innuos zen / zenith mk iii.  But the Volumio app is the limiting factor.  Fortunately, Qobuz Connect works well with it.

@lanx0003 sorry, I missed your question about the Wiim Ultra.  It went to Lincoln with my son, so I wasn't able to try it in my system. 

@sls883  No worry. I need to part with the Ultra now, as it’s going to my son tomorrow. I’ve been holding on to it at home, but he finally bought a turntable. I really enjoyed having fun with it over the past few months.  Thanks.