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EverSolo DMP-A8 with Denafrips Pontus 15th, both have i2S

For the past couple of years I’ve been using a Bluesound NODE (N130) with a Denafrips ARES II DAC (USB). I liked it very much!

Well, I got the itch to not leave well enough alone, if you know what I mean!

I purchased an EverSolo DMP-A8, thinking this all-in-one could replace what I had. It sounds pretty good, but, started missing my Denafrips DAC (which I sold). A couple days ago I ordered from audioman58 (Thank you!), a Pontus 15th Edition, can’t wait to get it!

This brings me to my question please. The DMP-A8 has i2S Output, which I plan on using to input i2S on the Pontus 15th (I hope for compatibility?). Is there still a reason to get a Denafrips DDC? Or, am I most of the way there with i2S on both my streamer and DAC?

Thanks,

Tom

tom899
tom899 OP
11 posts
 

Thanks, I'm looking forward to trying everything out. I don't have a problem purchasing a Denafrips DDC if it comes down to it. I realize this is a hobby, and striving for a great sound.

mbolek, I'm glad to hear you have an A8, and i2S is working well with your Harmony. I'm hoping to find a user with A8 and Pontus to ask what Pontus i2S settings they use? I thought I heard one person say, when configuring,  1x on 4x on?

tom899 OP
11 posts
 

In looking at the specs for both DMP-A8 and Pontus 15th, I think the new Pontus 15th has the same Fentosecond clock as the DMP-A8. I will try evaluating them both ways, USB vs i2S. If I can’t tell a difference, is there a theoretical idea that would favor one or the other? I would think i2S would be the way to proceed if I can’t hear a difference?

 

jastralfu's avatar
jastralfu
416 posts
 

If they both sound the same to you then it doesn’t really matter but I would stick with I2S.  The USB connection should utilize the DACs clock instead of the A8 so any difference you hear could be attributable to that as well.

tom899 OP
11 posts
 

Just so I understand further, feeding the Pontus with USB vs i2S, this only affects which device controls the clock (with USB, the Pontus controls the clock, with i2S the A8 controls the clock). And, to further understand, In either way, the Pontus DAC is utilized. Please correct me if I’m wrong.

jastralfu's avatar
jastralfu
416 posts
 

Just so I understand further, feeding the Pontus with USB vs i2S, this only affects which device controls the clock (with USB, the Pontus controls the clock, with i2S the A8 controls the clock).

Yes but you may notice one sounds better than the other to you.

And, to further understand, In either way, the Pontus DAC is utilized. Please correct me if I’m wrong.

If you are using a digital output from the A8 the Pontus is doing the digital to analog conversion. So in both case of usb and I2S, as both are digital outputs bypassing the internal dac of the A8, yes the Pontus dac is utilized.

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