Hermes added, question


Hi, All,

 

Just a follow up on my thread last week about adding Hermes to my Pontus. All is connected and playing. I did do the left and right speaker check via Qobuz test tones and all are playing properly. I haven't sat for a critical listen yet as I want to give more burn in time. So whilst I'm not quite ready to give my impressions on any improvements, I did have a question.

 

I noticed on some tracks (not all) playing only when listening through my streamer (connected via USB running from Eversolo DMP-A6 Master into ADD-Powr Symphony In, then out from Symphony to Hermes USB In. Using I2S connecting between Pontus and Hermes. What I noticed is that on some tracks while streaming I detected some static/noise through mostly my right front speaker. I didn't notice this using Coax (CD player) or Optical (Brennan B2). Just on the streamer and again only certain tracks...

 

Any idea what could be causing this? Is the ADD-Powr possibly the culprit? The static/noise was never there before Hermes and I had ADD-Powr Symphony connected as above only direct to Pontus...Music still plays but on higher volume the noise is audible...

kingbr

@curiousjim you’ll need an I2S cable to go from Pontus to Hermes. All other components go direct to Hermes.

 

Here is my setup:

 

Eversolo DMP-A6 Streamer (USB cable to Hermes)

Elite CD Carousel (Coax cable to Hermes)

Brennan B2 (Toslink cable to Hermes)

I2S (HDMI cable from Hermes to

Pontus)

Pontus set to I2S

 

If you go with a DENAFRIPS DDC you’ll also need a power cord as they do not come with one.

@curiousjim the connections are very straightforward and easy. It gets a little complicated as some HDMI cables require settings adjustments between DENAFRIPS DDC and DAC. There’s a great video from Alvin from Vinshine on how to adjust settings. I posted last week asking if it was worth adding a DDC and got overwhelming yes responses. The sound improvements are significant from all replies and all reviews I’ve read. That’s why I did it. I have the Pontus II 12th and just added the Hermes. I did have a slight noise issue but thanks to the good folks here I may have figured it out. 
 

I’ll post my thoughts this weekend after I sit down for some serious listening. 

I’ve been thinking about getting a DDC to go with my Pontus ll and I was wondering what will I need to connect a Hermes to my system?

@curiousjim When buying an HDMI cable for i2S it should be as short as possible as the i2S signal degrades quickly with distance. I’ve read a foot or less is best, so the closer you can get to that the better. There is someone else here who added an Iris to his Pontus II using a DH Labs 2.1 HDMI cable and reported a significant performance increase. I also added an Iris — bought it used in case it didn’t do much but it’s not going anywhere.  Just fyi.

Thanks @soix 

I never knew that. Which ever DDC I get, it will sit on top of the Pontus, so a short cable is all that would be needed.
FYI, I’m currently using a DH Labs USB from the streamer to the Pontus ll.