Do I really Need a Digital to Digital Converter?

@j_andrews

... would you share which streamer it is, and if you stream high res audio >44,1 / 48 kHz? 
Cheers!

@medon78 

It's just an Ifi Zen Stream ...fed ethernet by an Uptone EtherRegen via a Triode Wire Labs "freedom" ethernet cable.

The Ifi Zen is powered by a 12V LHY linear supply.

Output from Ifi Zen is Triode Wire Labs coaxial Spdif into the BP Se-i dac.

Streaming Qobuz via the "JPLAY" universal app.

I've limited the resolution within Qobuz and JPLAY to top out at 24/96 since that is what the BP dac can handle.

When I use the old CAL Sigma dac, I have to limit it to 16/44.1

There are two Isolators who make a big difference: Intona on USB with short (!) Intona cables on the link to the DAC and Pink Faun on the Ethernet cable from the router. There is a further way of improving the USB connection by adding a reclocker, e.g. InnuOS Phoenix or Mutec. The digital to digital converters are actually decoupling clocking between server and DAC compared to async USB, so assuming your DAC has a decent clock, that is really not advisable.

So opinions seem to vary and with no real consensus it probably means I should consider getting a used DDC and if it doesn't improve things in a worthwhile way, I can always resell it at minimal to no loss. From my understanding both my streamer and DAC implement USB in a very favourable way and this is how I do connect them. I have tried other DAC inputs (AES and Coax) but have preferred the USB route. I mostly stream Tidal but also play music from an internal drive in the Auralic G2 where I have some files of higher than CD resolution.

There is never a consensus lol that's the fun of audio. You have an excellent streaming/digital setup you can enjoy the great sound you're getting now or tinker. Either way have fun and report back your findings!