New D/D Converters from Denafrips

[MarkusBarkus]

I am chiming in on this thread because, IMO, the Denefrips Gaia can add value not only to Denefrips dacs, but other workflows/ dacs as well, and at various levels of performance/cost.
 

May as well get this out of the way: I stream and pass digital files from a Taiko Extreme, to a Chord Dave on an SJ DC4 power supply. Point being, it is already a resolving system for a digital workflow.

 

But, I want to by-pass the Dave's Amanero USB processing which I feel is not pulling its weight in the system. I tried one of the SRC converter boxes for dual BNC flow into Dave and HMS. *I don't like it.*
 

In my view, I prefer the Omega USB into the Gaia, and single SPDIF workflow into the Dave or the MScaler (this is an on-going test) over dual SPDIF via the SRC-DX box. NB: with the HMS I have Wave dual BNCs into Dave via the HMS.
 

I recognize this goes against the grain and the opinions largely held by others in the community. 
 

That said, the Gaia provides a very clean signal into the Dave (or HMS) and the sound is really quite good. Excellent detail and energy. 
 

I should note, there is a short interruption of the signal as the dac is trying to lock on to the signal when switching between Rebdbood and hi-res files when using the MScaler. I do not hear this direct to Dave. The SRC box was much worse handling workflow via HMS.

 

I had the MScaler out of my system for about two months. I added the Gaia, and pathed direct to Dave for about two weeks. Sounds awesome.

 

I just a few days ago added the HMS back into the flow, and am evaluating the experience. My initial reaction is: the Gaia may well make the MScaler unneeded in *my* system. 

If Denefrips (or other) develops a quality dual SPDIF workflow, I will be head of the line to try it with PGGB and "ordinary" files into Dave or HMS, but until then, the Denefrips Gaia offers an excellent option, even for non-Denefrips dac owners. Highly recommended. 

[MarkusBarkus]

@Blake thank you for your kind words. I hesitated to post because such things can come across as self-serving gear-pimping.
 

That said, I thought it might be of use for people considering the Gaia or one of its cousins...that it brings value even to a fairly well-sorted workflow. 

 

I actually tried it with different USB and SPDIF cables, including a pre-Black Cat label cable  about 25 yrs. old. It was excellent across the board.

[MarkusBarkus]

Parameter Settings:
(1) I2S Pinout Configuration
1. Press the Setup button once to enter configuration mode
2. Press the COAX button momentarily, 48K 96K 192K LED will turn on/off in a fixed
pattern to denote binary 000-111
3. Press the Setup button once to confirm the setting and exit configuration mode.

 

https://3beb070f-8ca8-434d-b6b3-76002990adfa.filesusr.com/ugd/4b933e_96c677f1c45440a39b4a44fcb6f856be.pdf