Denafrips product owners please fall in

[richard_crl032]

Hi all. I want to ask if someone can help me about the compatibility and improvement that a Denafrips DDC Gaia, which I have been very interested in, can do with a DAC, Wyred 4 Sound DAC-2se and I would like to know the possibilities of improvement that it can offer me. Regardless of my next step being the acquisition of TERMINATOR Plus, which I love, I cannot afford it right now. With an effort now I could assume the purchase of the Gaia, provided someone can inform me about the suitability of my Dac with the DDC Gaia through the I2S format, because I think that would be the best connection. For better information I will tell you that I listen to the music through a Macmini (adapted with Uptone) and I also have Iso Regen through USB, which is how I normally use it, all through the Audirvana interface. The idea would be to bring Gaia via USB and then with I2S to Dac. This I know that with TP would be a good improvement, it is also in my case. Thank you

Hi Nanobenito,

Think nobody cannot advise you for sure of the possible and level of improvement in your use case by adding the gaia ddc for mentioned usb source to i2s input of your dac. Our equipment simply differs too much to advise ....

What I can share is that in MY system for the allo usb bridge signature, there is clearly an improvement in sound quality but not for the Antipodes EX. I believe that if the source is already of a certain level, you will not hear improvement but may even be worse sounding.

Note also that this is with TP+ that has the advantage of synced clock which you will not have with your dac and if your dac is in lower level than TP+, I will not be surprised if you do not hear any improvement.

The gaia with clock inputs is designed by Denafrips to match the TP+ with clock outputs and expectedly tuned together good best sound .. other dac and even their own dac e.g. standard Terminator etc. that is a step down and without synced clock cannot be expected to achieve the same level of improvement in sound quality that I am hearing from my allo usb bridge signature going via i2s from gaia to TP+ with synced clock to ocxo clock.

Cheers.

Richard

 

[Abyss Man]

Sorry but it was the first time I intervened in the fórum and I did it wrong

No worries, to err is human. Enjoy the thread and music bro.

 

[Abyss Man]

Hi Nano,
I would suggest you get a loaner unit or 2nd hand unit of say a Gustard U16 or Singxer, try it out and see if the I2s connection does make a difference. I am pretty sure it will, cause a i2s connection is very quiet and being quiet, it will reveal and paint you a better picure. Be sure to use some decent quality PC and i2s cable. AQ chocolate for i2s is a good start. (Be wary though, AQ has a lot of fakes floating in the market). The shorter the better. AQ carry 0.6m.

Once you get a feel for i2s connection and its benefits and if you like what it offers, then I can safely say, a Gaia will be a worthy investment as it operates on a totally different level. According to a friend of mine, the Gustard sounds like a toy compared to the Gaia.

You might also want to consider waiting for the Hermes which is going to be launched pretty soon I'm told. That uses a cheaper TXCO clock instead of the OCXO in the Gaia, hence the pricing will be more wallet friendly.

End of the day, its how deep you want to go down the rabbit hole, having said that, be warned, the hole is an abyss. The choice of poison is yours to choose. Happy listening Nano.

 

[Blake]

I have been in "tweak" mode over the last week. For footers, I have settled on Stillpoints Ultra SS under the TPlus, and Synergistic MiG's under the Gaia.

I tried Stillpoints Ultra Minis, Symposium Rollerblocks, Boston Audio Tune Blocks and the original version of the Stillpoints. The MiG's are a very interesting product. You can tune the sound by flipping them in different directions, up or down.

 

[Abyss Man]

Thanks for sharing Blake. I installed a Furutech Booster. I’m having this crazy idea of installing some damping material. It’s called fo.Q. Ta-32. I have used them on my footers and cable lifters too, just don’t ask me if they make a difference, LOL, but I can tell they don’t degrade the sound.

 

[Blake]

I'd never heard of the Furutech Booster. I just looked it up. Let us know your thoughts Raj.

This is unrelated, but the other item I have to report is that Alvin was right on connecting Gaia to TPlus with LVCMOS. My 1 meter Sablon was fine for a while but then it developed popping noises when music was not playing, similar to the effect of playing dirty vinyl records- this when music is paused or music was not playing, the popping noise comes out of your speaker.

So I will be running HDMI as I can't do the 30cm or shorter length required for LVCMOS.

 

[Abyss Man]

I'd never heard of the Furutech Booster. I just looked it up. Let us know your thoughts Raj.

This is unrelated, but the other item I have to report is that Alvin was right on connecting Gaia to TPlus with LVCMOS. My 1 meter Sablon was fine for a while but then it developed popping noises when music was not playing, similar to the effect of playing dirty vinyl records- this when music is paused or music was not playing, the popping noise comes out of your speaker.

So I will be running HDMI as I can't do the 30cm or shorter length required for LVCMOS.

HDMI LVDS is the best way forward Blake. As for the Furutech Boosters, they have in use for a while now, say, 6-9months now. I have 3 of them on my PCs. I also have another 4 of the booster signal. TBH, I cannot recall now how they sounded as my system was/is in constant flux, having said that, I would seriously consider getting it for your speaker cables. Hope you can have a demo, the effect is very evident. There is a video on youtube regarding the effect.

I am on headphones as you know, but I still use them. I even have them on my router using it as a stand. LOL. The other is a damping material called fo.Q. I use them sparingly on my footers and also on the capacitors of server, DAC, amp etc. and also my headphones. Use your imagination. It is very reversible and for the money, worth a try. I can always buy it of you if you don't like them. LOL

http://www.foq.jp/foqhp_e/product/ta32.html

 

[musicfirst1]

I just ordered a Denafrips Avatar Transport; probably a killer price/performance piece I would suspect. 16 weeks lead time! Yikes!!

 

[richard_crl032]

Hi,

Hurray ... 2 more of recording studio grade Canare d5.5uhdc01e bnc clock cables arrived from Japan at usd20 each for all 3 exact required ones to daisy chain avatar and gaia for the T+

https://www.soundhouse.co.jp/products/detail/item/239127/

Apogee wyde eye to be listed locally for sale and more than happy to ship it to oversea buyer here if interested at 30% off and added shipping $.

Cheers.


Richard

 

[richard_crl032]

HDMI and RJ45 are both i2s, so I wouldn't think one would be better than the other? Of course if I am wrong, let me know. This is my first time running an i2s connection.

Hi Blake,

In my AB of Argentus hdmi and cheap china ofc RJ45 i2s cables and their output from Avatar to T+, I am incline to think that RJ45 is as good if not better than hdmi.

This was inferred from my AB outcome that both sounded just as good unless the unlikelihood of the unthinkable that a sgd60 ofc cable is better than the sgd708 silver one.

While RJ45 is a well established industry with cat 5, 5e, 6, 7 and now 8 and even with further varied technologies of mentioned lvds, lvcmos etc. variants for i2s transfer, hdmi is much newer and I do not even know what is its equivalent technology of lvds, lvcmos etc. ??

YMMV as usual and may differs in your system.

Cheers.

Richard

 

[Abyss Man]

Hi,

Hurray ... 2 more of recording studio grade Canare d5.5uhdc01e bnc clock cables arrived from Japan at usd20 each for all 3 exact required ones to daisy chain avatar and gaia for the T+

https://www.soundhouse.co.jp/products/detail/item/239127/

Apogee wyde eye to be listed locally for sale and more than happy to ship it to oversea buyer here if interested at 30% off and added shipping $.

Cheers.

View attachment 68325View attachment 68326
Richard

These Canare cables are readily available in Singapore at Sim Lim Tower if u need them. They can custom make the required length. Just FYI.

 

[richard_crl032]

These Canare cables are readily available in Singapore at Sim Lim Tower if u need them. They can custom make the required length. Just FYI.

Hi Abyss,

Thanks but termination is critical and I trust Japanese factory processes and testing ... SLT uncles cannot compare.

<sgd100 for all 3 from Japan is a no brainer when already AB tested against Apogee Wdye eye in my system.

Cheers.

Richard

 

[CKKeung]

These Canare cables are readily available in Singapore at Sim Lim Tower if u need them. They can custom make the required length. Just FYI.

Is this higher grade Canare L-8CUHD also available in Singapore?
http://www.canare.com/ProductItemDisplay.aspx?productItemID=256

 

[Abyss Man]

Hi Abyss,

Thanks but termination is critical and I trust Jap factory processes and testing ... SLT uncles cannot compare.

<sgd100 for all 3 from Japan is a no brainer when already AB tested against Apogee Wdye eye in my system.

Cheers.

Richard

They are authorised Canare cable dealers with the proper crimping tools and connectors. Anyway, it is just for info and it’s ur decision.

 

[Abyss Man]

Is this higher grade Canare L-8CUHD also available in Singapore?
http://www.canare.com/ProductItemDisplay.aspx?productItemID=256

I’m checking with them CK, let u know once they get back to me.

 

[richard_crl032]

Is this higher grade Canare L-8CUHD also available in Singapore?
http://www.canare.com/ProductItemDisplay.aspx?productItemID=256

Hi CK,

Cool find !

50% increase in diameter which will be stiffer with 25% reduction in attenuation albiet at 6GHz which is probably not applicable to audio spectrum .. no available specification to 22khz or with 1 MHz rangd unfortunately. Also noted significant reduction of 50% in resistance in copper foil and braided shielding which I am sure better for shielding performance.

BNC connectors BCP-xxxx differs from both cables while performance specification is the same.

Would have love to try this L8chud cable but seems no factory terminated version available but Laird electronics USA do have them in also vfm sgd50 for 1m version:

http://www.lairddigitalcinema.com/P...IDEOCAB&prodClass=VBNCBNC&mfg=&search=0&off=0

Let's see but will hold until bored and next upgrade itch since sgd150 excluding shipping for 3 pcs in my use case or unless someone compares both L8 and L5.5 version and reports notable improvement at least in their system.

Thanks again !

Richard

 

[richard_crl032]

They are authorised Canare cable dealers with the proper crimping tools and connectors. Anyway, it is just for info and it’s ur decision.

Hi Abyss,

I know them well for last 30 yrs... still SLT uncles sitting inside and outside shop doing crimping with uncalibrated tool.

Not comparable to cut and assembled in Jap factory and why not just order on line and get them shipped comfortably within 1 week ? Think dun need any delibration here pls.

Of course my decision btw.

Cheers.

Richard

PS: Global head of Development & Quality of Volex, world's largest supplier of powercords and cable assemblies for 7 yrs, and I have no doubt seen more bad crimpings and factory processes than you lah

 

[Abyss Man]

Is this higher grade Canare L-8CUHD also available in Singapore?
http://www.canare.com/ProductItemDisplay.aspx?productItemID=256

They don’t CK.

 

[richard_crl032]

What delibration? It was just info passed on for your consideration that’s all. I couldn’t be bothered with what and where u spend ur money, and stop looking down on ppl who have experience. Have you AB tested a Jap terminated cable against a local terminated one to make such a sweeping statement? A forum is for exchanging ideas and sharing, not for shooting down ppl.

Hi Abyss,

Please let it slide ... I had stated my preference and made my decision in earlier posts.

It is you and your comment thereafter about your thinking on SLT and their capability in response to my posts that is not appreciated at least by me nor helpful ... please dun bother (me) anymore.

Cheers.

Richard

 

[CKKeung]

They don’t CK.

Try this :
https://m.markertek.com/product/l8c...sdi-4k-uhd-coax-bnc-male-to-male-cable-3-foot