Should I add a DDC?

@kingbr Set your Hermes pin configuration to 000, then go through the pin settings on your Pontus with low volume until you get the undistorted music. Verify this afterward with test tones for left/right channels and phase. I just went through this with my new Terminator 15th. I set both to 000 and it didn’t work, I think I ended up at 010 on the Terminator for my situation. Argentus I2s. Here> https://www.denafrips.com/single-post/2020/08/01/denafrips-gaia-ddc-terminator-plus-dac

@fthompson251 Thanks man! Appreciate the support. If I get the undistorted music, why is it necessary to do the test tones as well?

@kingbr   It may sound fine but channels can be reversed and you have to keep trying different pin outs.

You can get some test tones here I think 

https://www.denafrips.com/config-i2s

You need to check left right and phase to make sure it’s all working correctly.

The value of a DDC is much more than just converting to I2S. It does several things depending on the product, since I have a Denafrips DDC I'll speak there.

Convert the input signal to I2S (used internally in DACs/streamers/etc), galvanically and optically isolates the signal to eliminate noise and jitter, re-clocks the signal using the DDCs crystal oscillator.

Prior to the 15th versions, the Denafrips Ares and Pontus DACs use high quality FEMTO clocks, the Venus used a TXCO (temperature compensated crystal oscillator), and the Terminator II and Terminator Plus used OCXO (oven controlled crystal oscillators).

After the 15th, the Ares and Pontus use a LPNO (Low Phase Noise Oscillator), the Venus uses OCXO, and the Terminator 15th uses dual OCXOs, and I have no idea what a Terminator Plus 15th would be when it is released (if it is needed)

SNS

As you pointed out, you do need to be careful when adding a DDC to a DAC. You never want to downgrade the clock, so you want the clock in the DDC to be as good or better than the clock in the DAC.....in almost all cases, the clock in the DDC takes preference over the clock in the DAC