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Do I really Need a Digital to Digital Converter?

Over the last few years I have continued to upgrade my digital front end and currently use an Auralic G2 (with upgraded power supply) and a Musician Pegasus R2R DAC. Some of the (mostly Asian) DAC manufacturers also make digital to digital converters (like the Denefrips Iris and Hermes).

So my questions are, if what these DDCs do so important, why aren’t they built into into DACs or Streamers in the first place. Are they only incorporated in higher end digital gear but not gear at the level I am using?. What will adding one of these bring to the table or should I just upgrade my DAC or Streamer to get the same result? Do I really need another piece of gear and another set of cables to clutter up my rack?

Appreciate input from anyone who as direct experience with these DDCs in their audio journey.

alvinnir2
soix
11,250 posts
 

 

Same. I got a DDC to connect my streamer to my DAC I2S. There was a noticeable improvement in sound quality. In the end, I got rid of it all. I couldn’t get past the idea that I shouldn’t need one more device in the chain along with its own LPS and digital cable to get decent SQ.

@rhg3 What did you have for a DAC and DDC, and what did you change to?  Just curious. 

mrskeptic
262 posts
 

Manufacturers love to "develop" components that aren't needed and don't do anything but make them more money. Objectively prove me wrong.

designsfx
803 posts
 

@mrskeptic 

No disagreement with your statement above but let’s not forget “beauty is in the eye (or ear) of the beholder”

Post removed 
decooney
2,565 posts
 

@j_andrews All that said, I sold both the Ares II and the Iris and now I’m just running coax Spdif into a Border Patrol dac from my streamer and I’m happy as a clam.

 

If you could explain a bit more about what you hear and enjoy from the BorderPatrol dac, could help others considering comparable dacs you’ve owned and resold.

I’ve not tried the Denefrips dacs you have, and currently own the BorderPatrol SE-I dac myself. It’s unlike any of my five prior dacs in how it presents music, in its own unique way.

 

 

 

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