To DDC or not to DDC. That is the question.

Yeah, depending on the output of your streamer, which input is optimized for your DAC, interconnects, and then the black magic of the audio Gods that the ASR crowd likes to dismiss because it’s not measured but won’t subjugate themselves to actually use their ears to be the final arbiter — it’s an unknown/black art until you actually hear for yourself.  Just my opinion, but IME a DDC can be a hugely cost-effective upgrade if it works in your situation but no way to know til you try.  Best of luck man. 

Your Merason DAC 1 uses the Amanero Combo 384 USB module, which is considered a high-level, audiophile-grade, asynchronous USB interface that is highly regarded in the high-end audio industry, and is commonly used as a premium OEM component in high-end DACs for its exceptional jitter performance and support for high-resolution formats. Therefore, from a sound quality standpoint, as long as your digital front-end server/streamer has a good quality USB output, there would be no reason to add a DDC, which would result in your needing to switch to the AES or S/PDIF input.  The only reason I can think of for you to consider using another input (other than USB) would be that the AES input might sound slightly more dynamic.

I own the Merason DAC 1 Mk II and I use a DDC only to facilitate having a second DAC in my main system, and only since I cannot find a suitable USB hub that works with my desired streamer.  However, I believe I will soon be going back to the USB inputs on both DACs, even though switching between the two DACs will become more difficult.

I strongly suggest your money would be better spent by upgrading your DAC to the DAC 1 MkII or, better yet, to the DAC 2.

Interesting perspective @Mitch2 and very valuable seeing as you are a Merason owner. I appreciate the tech talk too. I will have to look into the upgrade....

@maprik 

Approximately 6 months ago, I inserted a Berkeley Audio Design, Alpha USB Series 2, between my laptop and my DAC.  It made an immediately noticeable improvement over what I thought already sounded very good.

They also make a Reference model, for twice the price.

In June of 2024, Robert Harley of The Absolute Sound reviewed the Series 2 model.

https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/berkeley-audio-design-alpha-usb-series-2-noise-isolation-device/

Here is an excerpt of what he wrote:

I know a longtime industry veteran who travels the world setting up and fine-tuning state-of-the-art systems. He carries with him his laptop loaded with music—and an Alpha USB. Whatever DAC is on hand in the system is greatly improved with the addition of the Alpha USB. He wouldn’t think of doing a setup without it.

Note that I am using an expensive AES/EBU cable and the same for the USB cable, as recommended by Shunyata Research and the store from where I purchased everything and also from the review.

How much do those cables affect the sound quality?  I do not know, because I have only that one AES/EBU cable.

If you can budget the Alpha Series 2 (or Reference) re-clocker, then you will likely be happy with your improved sound quality.

I am not familiar with your DAC.  So I do not know if you would hear a better improvement with a better DAC?  I have no idea how good your DAC is.

Your Merason DAC 1 uses the Amanero Combo 384 USB module, which is considered a high-level, audiophile-grade, asynchronous USB interface that is highly regarded in the high-end audio industry, and is commonly used as a premium OEM component in high-end DACs for its exceptional jitter performance and support for high-resolution formats. Therefore, from a sound quality standpoint, as long as your digital front-end server/streamer has a good quality USB output, there would be no reason to add a DDC, which would result in your needing to switch to the AES or S/PDIF input.  The only reason I can think of for you to consider using another input (other than USB) would be that the AES input might sound slightly more dynamic.

I respectfully disagree with this.  Feed ANY DAC a a cleaner signal whether it’s galvanically isolated, buffered/cached, well clocked, whatever, and it will perform better.  Many people here have experienced this.  Bottom line, you won’t know if a DDC makes an improvement or not until you try it.  Might not, but more often than not people who’ve added a DDC have experienced material improvements, hence my recommendation to just try one used or on demo cause you really can’t know until you try.  The rest is just theory and supposition.