Using A DDC From USB OUT

[holsen]

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.

 

[RussL]

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

 

[holsen]

It's like everything audio. Cables make a difference /no they don't. Burn in makes a difference / no it doesn't. All DACs sound the same / no they don't. You know the drill....

I'm not sold on a DDC but for $60 on a device that reports are good, I'm willing to play this experiment for my ears. Well $100 because I'll also need a short I2S cable too. I'll try it.

I know many said Ulta > DAC is a wast of money.... I couldn't disagree more and my wife who knows nothing about how j set this stuff up, 3x said what did you do now, it sounds amazing. 1st when the DAC went in, 2nd when I changed the usb cable Audio Quest and 3rd, when I put a power conditioner in.... I didn't tell her she just heard it. Let's see what happens with the Douk

 

[anonyless]

i've experimented connecting the SMSL PO100 2024 DDC from the Ultra USB out to the Vibelink optical. it works fine. couldn't tell the difference. so if you want to "waste" only a small amount of money , that's the safe choice (it should cost about 37USD) .

 

[F1 Fan]

Save yourself money and do not bother .. unlikely you would hear any difference..

 

[F1 Fan]

Also, join ASR .. it’s saved to hundreds of going down rabbit holes

 

[holsen]

I do believe at the Ultra Price - it's outstanding value. I also believe at the Ultra price it can't have the very best best power supply or clocks. I do KNOW that going to my own external DAC notched everything up significantly and I also know switching from a printer USB Cable to a Pangea cable also made such a difference my wife instantly noticed it, having no idea I just blew $100 on a USB cable. I'm looking at your signature so you know everything in the chain matters. I have been blown away by the SQ I've been able to achieve with my Ultras and DACs but I do believe that going from the WiiM out to a DDC, eliminating any noise, re-clocking this signal, and galvanically isolating that signal before it goes into the DAC will make a difference. I do believe that. The question is how marginal or substantial will it be? That's why I'm going to test it with a U2 Pro and if it's significant, I'll stick it on my office set up and go with something like Laiv in the Living Room which is Bang & Olufsen and worthy of a few bucks.

 

[hgo58]

I do believe at the Ultra Price - it's outstanding value. I also believe at the Ultra price it can't have the very best best power supply or clocks. I do KNOW that going to my own external DAC notched everything up significantly and I also know switching from a printer USB Cable to a Pangea cable also made such a difference my wife instantly noticed it, having no idea I just blew $100 on a USB cable. I'm looking at your signature so you know everything in the chain matters. I have been blown away by the SQ I've been able to achieve with my Ultras and DACs but I do believe that going from the WiiM out to a DDC, eliminating any noise, re-clocking this signal, and galvanically isolating that signal before it goes into the DAC will make a difference. I do believe that. The question is how marginal or substantial will it be? That's why I'm going to test it with a U2 Pro and if it's significant, I'll stick it on my office set up and go with something like Laiv in the Living Room which is Bang & Olufsen and worthy of a few bucks.

Good to believe. It's almost all nonsense however.

Changing a USB cable enhances the SQ, you say. Is it better zero and ones? Do you actually know how it works?

 

[HighNRG]

THIS is the stuff that keeps nerd forums running. Love it. Everything said, but not from everybody.

 

[Aquaman]

The mentioning of ‚wives‘ and being ‚blown away‘ always makes me smell snake oil.

 

[holsen]

Good to believe. It's almost all nonsense however.

Changing a USB cable enhances the SQ, you say. Is it better zero and ones? Do you actually know how it works?

Yeah, I know. I also know it's not worth going down this hole with you or anyone else. I changed the cable. My wife didn't know I changed the cable. My wife said "what did you do to the stereo - it sounds so much better". I know that happened and her innocent question confirmed what I knew I was hearing. I also know about noise and 1 and 0's and electricity and impedances and graphs and ears... and hey.... it's my wallet

 

[holsen]

The mentioning of ‚wives‘ and being ‚blown away‘ always makes me smell snake oil.

My wife is genuine german. as dry and as literal as they come. she heard a difference without knowing anything of what I had done. And listen, where there's smoke, there's fire and where there's snake oil, there's a snakeoil salesman - but here's the thing I'm not trying to sell anything. I profit not by sharing my experience into a community that about sharing our experiences. No snake oil, here, no purpose in it.

 

[slartibartfast]

The mentioning of ‚wives‘ and being ‚blown away‘ always makes me smell snake oil.

Only thing missing is "from the next room"

 

[HighNRG]

My wife is genuine german. as dry and as literal as they come. she heard a difference without knowing anything of what I had done. And listen, where there's smoke, there's fire and where there's snake oil, there's a snakeoil salesman - but here's the thing I'm not trying to sell anything. I profit not by sharing my experience into a community that about sharing our experiences. No snake oil, here, no purpose in it.

Let the boomers show their endless scientific knowledge. I bet there is not much more joy left in some of their lives

 

[scottm]

"I do believe..."

Says it all really.