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Denafrips Terminator Plus/Gaia compatibility

I have an original Terminator Plus and and Gaia DDC (very early unit). I had been using this with an i2s connection which worked well, but after upgrading the firmware on the Terminator Plus in 2023 using the update provided by Vinshine, the i2s connection stopped working.

I assume this is because the i2s configuration changed. I have tried changing the i2s mode on the DAC, but have been unable to find a setting that works with the Gaia. My Gaia does not have programmable i2s outputs. 

I have been using the AES connection between the Gaia and DAC which sounds very nice, but before the firmware update, I felt that the i2s was a bit better than AES. 

I am toying with the idea of upgrading my Gaia to a Gaia 12th with the assumption that I can make this work over i2s to my DAC. 

Does anyone have experience with this issue? 

 

jaytor
jaytor's avatar
jaytor OP
778 posts
 

Thanks for the replies. Unfortunately, my Gaia is one of the first units. I preordered it when it was first announced. It does not have programmable i2s outputs. 
 

i didn’t have any problems with the Terminator FPGA update and I liked the changes in sound quality. But it also changed the way i2s works and my Gaia is no longer compatible. Vinshine was not helpful at the time (other than to tell me that my early Gaia does not have the ability to change the i2s pinout).

I am hoping that there is someone on the forum that updated their original Terminator Plus firmware and has had success using it with a Gaia, and if so, which version of the Gaia  

 

charles007100
252 posts
 

I had the Venus 12th anniversary, upgraded to the Meitner MA3i…100% happier…a friend had the original Terminator and went to the LTA aero much better 

 

antony_s0s
54 posts
 

@jaytor hey, sorry for off-topic, but I don’t know how to message you otherwise. I’m interested in your ideas regarding the DirectStream DAC modifications. If you register on the PS Audio forum and post your ideas on the Modding DirectStream DAC MKI thread, I’m sure there are several people who did some serious modifications, and they might be interested, too. Maybe they could also give you some valuable information.

marco1's avatar
marco1
709 posts
 

Sorry, no suggestions, but have you tried contacting the Texas repair facility?  It does seem strange that Vinshine kind of “through up their arms” when you contacted them.  Maybe it’s a round about way of telling you the units are not compatible via I2s.

rikkipuu's avatar
rikkipuu
358 posts
 

Had the same issue with my TP and Iris after updating the firmware.  Your choice is to undo the firmware update or ditch the Gaia or as was suggested to me by Denafrips - buy an newer version of the Iris.  Obviously I made a mistake buying the first one why would I repeat it?

I did not like their response and sold the Denafrips gear.  It was nice sounding but they lost my loyalty.

I have a Lampizator DAC and Antipodes S20 DDC.  Unfortunately chip shortages forced Antipodes to stop selling the S20.  It, like the Lampizator, is in another league than Denafrips.  

In hindsight I see it as a blessing, and I am much better off now than if I had stayed with Denafrips.

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