DDC or Better Streamer?

I'd also offer up since few streamers implement high quality i2S outputs, dac manufacturers don't see any point in offering I2S input. Just because usb seems to be the de facto interface doesn't mean its inherently superior to I2S. I have an extremely optimized usb interface, used this for years without complaint for a number of dacs, the Gaia simply outperformed it with both present dacs.

r.e. Innuos

They make some excellent streamers and I just demoed their Pulsar model.  My DAC has pretty much all of the available inputs and since I wanted to have the best possible results from the demo I queried Innuos directly about which is their preferred digital out.  The reply from Innuos:  "​I would recommend using USB as the connection type - this is our specialty and I believe it is very implemented."

The Pulsar has the Phenix Lite relocker built in and it's basically a watered down version of the Denafrips Hermes using a USB pathway.  

My takeaway from this is that while offering different output/input options, manufactures seem to focus their technology on a specific protocol.  I think it's worthwhile to know where their focus is to maximize performance.  

here’s a recent, relatively robust discussion re streamers.

streamer discussion

 Re DDC, I have no experience myself, but would simply note that It makes sense to me that Denafrips would make a separate Hermes in part because their DACs are NOS, and as such may be more sensitive to digital noise (i.e., by definition they’re not doing any processing to the signal), so a DDC provides a cleaner data stream.  Query whether the LAIV would benefit (benefit as much).

oops, did a bit more research. any reason you wouldn’t just go with Laiv Harmony uDDC?

@mdalton The LAIV uDDC does not have an optical input but the Hermes does.  I have 3 systems with Bluesound Streamers and Oppos in them, and none of the Bluesounds have USB outputs.  Therefore, I require SPDIF and Toslink inputs in a DDC to get the most bang for the buck.  Another reason why I'm considering the DDC over new Streamer is that I can move it around to other systems when/if I decide to upgrade Streamer.

When I saw that the LAIV did not have optical input, I stopped comparing other features like clock, power supply, etc.  I bet that there are others here though that can tell us differences other than the $450 price.