DDC Sound Improvements???

I'm using an Innuos Zen MKiii streamer with a Gustard U18 ddc and a Gustard X-30 dac.  I'm also using a LHY ock-2 clock which is connected to both the U18 and X-30.  I've tried both sine wave and square wave.  I prefer square wave in my system.  The LHY clock definitely made an improvement. 

I've connected the U18 to my dac via i2S and coax.  With a good coax cable (Black Cat Silverstar 75), I hear little difference between i2S and coax.  I couldn't say which one is better.

When I got my X-30, I reached out to both Gustard and Innuos to see if they thought that I should connect the streamer to the dac via USB and eliminate the DDC.  They both suggested that I continue to use the DDC. 

The U-18 works quite well.  I doubt that I would see much improvement, if any, by going to the U-26.  I've posed this question to Gustard and haven't gotten a response. 

@stillbuyingtoys 

$1,000 for a DDC vs $4,000 for a transport is pretty tempting.  In my head this additional filtering in the DDC would give me the sonic improvements of a great streaming transport.

What are your thoughts and experience?  

I play 100% of my digital files, directly from my laptop (no internet).  Using a good Audioquest USB cable, and it sounded very good.  But I have heard better, with the same DAC, using its CD transport.

My solution was to have my laptop feed a Berkeley Audodesign Alpha USB Series 2 re-clocker, and have that re-clocker feed my DAC via AES/EBU.  It sounds amazing.

But the price exceeds your $4,000 price that you mentioned, mostly due to the USB cable and the AES/EBU cable.

The Berkeley re-clocker was $2,245.50 (they have a reference model that is twice that price).

I can't say how important the role of quality cables are, for connecting that re-clocker.  I purchased very good ones, and have no other cables to make a swap for comparison.

That Berkeley re-clocker lowers the noise floor, and reduces jitter, and the results are impressive.

Note that that re-clocker has only one input option: USB.

And it has only two output options: SPDIF and AES/EBU.  Berkeley recommends using the AES/EBU option.

Be careful of USB cable lengths.  Try to keep it short.  AES/EBU can be much longer, without being a problem -- although, Shunyata Research recommends keeping their AES/EBU cable at 1.5 meters.  I needed a longer one, at 2.5 meters, and it sounds great (but would I hear a difference if it was 1.5 meters?).

From reviews, that Berkeley re-clocker makes any streamer / DAC combination sound better.  But I can't speak on such usage, because I use mine with locally stored wav and flac files.  But if I had to make a wager, I would confidently say that that Berkeley re-clocker would do wonders for your streaming.

I have a BS Node N130 with a Teddy Pardo LPS.  Adding a used Denafrips Pontus II was the best thing I ever did!  For what it is, the Node is incredibly, but adding a decent external DAC will take it to another level! But The difference between adding a DDC might not give you the same  bang if your current DAC has a good clock in it already.

All the best.

So, after taking your considerations and reading from individuals that own the Gustard R26 and R30 that purchased the U26 DDC after owning the U18, I took the plunge yesterday and ordered the U26.  

My deciding factor is not just the conversation of the DDC which should slightly improve the current USB signal via i2S but the filtering in this unit is what everyone comments on being the key element.  Lowering the noise floor of my BS Node w/LPS which is only my streaming transport to the Gustard U26 then sending that signal to the Gustard X30, cross my fingers should increase the sonic presentation.  The Matrix NT-1 was the first streaming transport that I instantly noticed what a well filtered transparent sound could do in my system.  And to my ears it beat the Innuos Stream 3 easily with its resolving nature.

I purchased the U26 and the Veritas Optimus 50 i2s cable with a 30 day return policy, so if it's not increasing the sonics in my system, the U26 will be returned.

I'll report back with my initial impressions after March 7th when it arrives.

Congrats.  If your experience is anything like mine adding the more budget-minded Iris I think you’re gonna be very happy and maybe even a little shocked, and it may continue to provide meaningful benefits even if you upgrade your streamer down the road.  Look forward to your thoughts.