Using A DDC From USB OUT

[Deleted member 27881]

Can we not with the ageism? I say this as a 43-year-old.

-Ed

Naa, I even say that as a 61 years old. (Born on the first day of GenX. My definition. ) It is not about the real age. But an often patronizing attitude.

 

[EddNog]

Naa, I even say that as a 61 years old. (Born on the first day of GenX. My definition. ) It is not about the real age. But an often patronizing attitude.

Yeah, somehow I'm in the range for Millennials despite growing up with a TV that requires turning a knob to change channels, audio tape decks and even sat-phones in cars, computers with monochrome displays and a floppy disk to house the operating system, full-size video tape camcorders, etc.

-Ed

 

[morejazzplease]

I recently bought a U2 Pro to see what the fuss was about. Connected it to USB on the Ultra and then coax to my Fosi ZD3.

Without doing any scientific testing and after a few listening sessions I observed a few things. First off is that I did not hear any sound quality improvement by adding the DDC into the chain between the Ultra and DAC. While streaming Qobuz Connect, i swapped the audio output between optical out (straight to DAC) and USB out (to DDC then DAC). I couldnt hear any differences better or worse.

But, I did discover a major issue when testing it on my CD transport signal chain. My CD transport is connected to the Ultra’s Optical Input. When listening to CDs with the DDC in place between the Ultra and DAC there were a ton of skips, errors and cuts from the sound!!!! I thought it might be due to the Ultra’s buffer setting on the optical input but the same thing happened when that was disabled or enabled. It was unlistenable!

So, for my equipment at least, the U2 Pro did absolutely nothing at best and at worse, made my CD signal path experience a ton of errors. It’s been removed from my system. Not to say it cant improve the sound with different equipment, but for me, it did not work.

 

[multibit]

I use Douk U2 Pro on the Ultras USB out it works fine . I use a very short USB cable , I've changed the internal 22/24mhz XO's to NZ2520DA and run external 5v linear psu.
At least with places like Amazon you can try these things and send back if it makes no improvement.

 

[Wesleyrburks]

There's been a lot of buzz lately about using a DDC between Streamers and External DACs. I read in the comments on a recent YT Video about the Douk Audio U2 Pro (which is USB powered) that it doesn't work with the WiiM Ultra. Can anybody confirm this. Anybody using a DDC and External DAC. I've got 2 Excellent Mid-Tier DACs, 1 for each of my Ultras and If I can squeeze a bit more performance, Im willing to roll the dice on a DDC - to first try it with an inexpensive Douk and if I'm happy - jump to a Laiv uDDC or Denafrips Iris 12th.

That is how I have my Wiim setup. Ultra usb out to ddc, ddc out via coax and optical to Topping DX3 Pro+. FYI, the coax sounds better! I have a CD player/recorder that I can use the optical or coax output and run to the DX3 Pro's optical in or coax in because it has 2 coaxial inputs! I use Amazon Music Unlimited for music on the Wiim and would listen with my headphones plugged into the Ultra or my Cambridge Audio AXR 85 receiver. I then used the headphone section on the DX3 Pro and man it was night and day difference! The resolution, separation and clarity in the music is incredible!

 

[Cosmic Heretic]

That is how I have my Wiim setup. Ultra usb out to ddc, ddc out via coax and optical to Topping DX3 Pro+. FYI, the coax sounds better! I have a CD player/recorder that I can use the optical or coax output and run to the DX3 Pro's optical in or coax in because it has 2 coaxial inputs! I use Amazon Music Unlimited for music on the Wiim and would listen with my headphones plugged into the Ultra or my Cambridge Audio AXR 85 receiver. I then used the headphone section on the DX3 Pro and man it was night and day difference! The resolution, separation and clarity in the music is incredible!

 

[Cosmic Heretic]

So your saying the DDC improved the sound drastically? I have that same dac, a douk u2 pro on the way and will get an Ultra soon and try this.

 

[Wesleyrburks]

I recently bought a U2 Pro to see what the fuss was about. Connected it to USB on the Ultra and then coax to my Fosi ZD3.

Without doing any scientific testing and after a few listening sessions I observed a few things. First off is that I did not hear any sound quality improvement by adding the DDC into the chain between the Ultra and DAC. While streaming Qobuz Connect, i swapped the audio output between optical out (straight to DAC) and USB out (to DDC then DAC). I couldnt hear any differences better or worse.

But, I did discover a major issue when testing it on my CD transport signal chain. My CD transport is connected to the Ultra’s Optical Input. When listening to CDs with the DDC in place between the Ultra and DAC there were a ton of skips, errors i crfuts from the sound!!!! I thought it might be due to the Ultra’s buffer setting on the optical input but the same thing happened when that was disabled or enabled. It was unlistenable!

So, for my equipment at least, the U2 Pro did absolutely nothing at best and at worse, made my CD signal path experience a ton of errors. It’s been removed from my system. Not to say it cant improve the sound with different equipment, but for me, it did not work.

I thought the U2 Pro was just a clocking device to resolve any potential jitter issues and that it wouldn't have any effect on the audio portion. I can say one thing listening with my Hifiman Edition XS headphones is a surreal experience! I'm hearing things in the music I hadn't heard before and the channel separation is outstr

So you’re saying the DDC improved the sound drastically? I have that same dac, a douk u2 pro on the way and will get an Ultra soon and try this.

I don’t think the ddc made it sound that great, I think it’s the fact I’m coming out of the Wiim and going into the dx3 pro+ and the fact I use the graphic eq in the Wiim that makes it sound better.

 

[Cosmic Heretic]

I thought the U2 Pro was just a clocking device to resolve any potential jitter issues and that it wouldn't have any effect on the audio portion. I can say one thing listening with my Hifiman Edition XS headphones is a surreal experience! I'm hearing things in the music I hadn't heard before and the channel separation is outstr

I don’t think the ddc made it sound that great, I think it’s the fact I’m coming out of the Wiim and going into the dx3 pro+ and the fact I use the graphic eq in the Wiim that makes it sound better.

Okay I understand. It's a much better measuring dac than the wiim internal dac so that makes sense. I have also heard others disappointed with how the wiims analog output stage measures poorly.

 

[GVW]

Thinking about that Topping DAC you referring to as reading many great reviews on it... Would use it behind the Wiim Ultra...
Can the Topping only be used as a headphone focused item or also as a 'normal' DAC in a home 2 channel set up with a Melody Pro88 MK2 tube amp..??

 

[Wesleyrburks]

Thinking about that Topping DAC you referring to as reading many great reviews on it... Would use it behind the Wiim Ultra...
Can the Topping only be used as a headphone focused item or also as a 'normal' DAC in a home 2 channel set up with a Melody Pro88 MK2 tube amp..??

The topping has a great headphone section and can be used as a normal dac as well. I’m considering upgrading my dac to the Topping DX5 II. It’s only $300 and has awesome features as well as a better headphone section with balanced connections!

 

[Flatron7]

I own a high-end DDC, the Singxer SU-6, connected to the Wiim Ultra and then to my Dynaudio 60 xd active speakers. The difference is notable. With the DDC, the quality is much higher. The same test was done with a Gustard x30 DAC, and the improvement was significant and easily audible with that too. Obviously, we're talking about a product that costs double the Ultra.

 

[Wesleyrburks]

There's been a lot of buzz lately about using a DDC between Streamers and External DACs. I read in the comments on a recent YT Video about the Douk Audio U2 Pro (which is USB powered) that it doesn't work with the WiiM Ultra. Can anybody confirm this. Anybody using a DDC and External DAC. I've got 2 Excellent Mid-Tier DACs, 1 for each of my Ultras and If I can squeeze a bit more performance, Im willing to roll the dice on a DDC - to first try it with an inexpensive Douk and if I'm happy - jump to a Laiv uDDC or Denafrips Iris 12th.

I have a Douk Audio U2 Pro and it's working fine with my Wiim Ultra. It gets power from the Wiim's usb port that supplies the 5 vdc for the DDC to run!

 

[Cosmic Heretic]

If you’re streaming to a USB DAC, a DDC has (very) little to absolutely no advantage. Why; because the USB DAC throws away the incoming clock and reclocks internal to the DAC.

Russ

You would be connecting to your DAC using coax or optical so the re-clocking is done on the DDC as far as I know.

 

[Iceman007]

I have a Douk Audio U2 Pro and it's working fine with my Wiim Ultra. It gets power from the Wiim's usb port that supplies the 5 vdc for the DDC to run!

I have just purchased the U2 pro. When I connect it to my Wiim ultra via usb it doesn't recognise the U2 pro so I can't select usb output on the Wiim. How is yours connected please.
I was going to.connect the following way..
Wiim ultra > usb > U2 pro > optical > Fosi zd3

 

[JAB]

There must be something wrong. The way you described is absolutely correct imho. Tried another USB cable? I remember I have seen a cable delivered with the device which has an adaptor USB-A to USB-C attached to the cable where I think it could cause such a problem.

 

[Iceman007]

There must be something wrong. The way you described is absolutely correct imho. Tried another USB cable? I remember I have seen a cable delivered with the device which has an adaptor USB-A to USB-C attached to the cable where I think it could cause such a problem.

I've tried 3 different ones that I've had laying about. The U2 pro light comes on but I can select usb out from the Wiim ultra.

 

[JAB]

I've tried 3 different ones that I've had laying about. The U2 pro light comes on but I can select usb out from the Wiim ultra.

No other idea here. There is a "manage" feature under "browse" and "sources" may be there is the trap?

 

[jfbuk]

I have just purchased the U2 pro. When I connect it to my Wiim ultra via usb it doesn't recognise the U2 pro so I can't select usb output on the Wiim. How is yours connected please.
I was going to.connect the following way..
Wiim ultra > usb > U2 pro > optical > Fosi zd3

What USAB UAC mode is set on the Douk ?
try changing it

 

[JAB]

What USAB UAC mode is set on the Douk ?
try changing it

Yes, I remember a 1 and 2 dip on the bottom. Set to 2 it worked for me.