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

@maprik I used this little gadget when I was streaming from mac mini and I recall audible improvement. Very cost effective and unlike to hurt anything. 
https://wyred4sound.com/products/recovery

worth a try before you commit to a larger purchase. And will most likely be useful even with the ddc. 

Hmmm interesting little tweak! Thank you! 

My only reservation is that the Hermes has no USB out and the USB input is the strength of the Merason. 

You could get a DDC to go in between the Hermes and the DAC (?) 

I asked AI and it said it was a good idea. 

Crying emoji 

@maprik when I start looking into upgrades I usually have an idea in mind as to what it is that I am trying to improve upon or what problems I am trying to solve. 
Do you have a good reason to touch anything? What are your current complaints about the sound quality. You know how the saying goes…if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.