Koso

...it is probably common problem not only on Aurender streamers. Other manufacturer has similar problems with Tidal MQA files. Here is quote from another forum (the note directly from Simaudio Moon manufacturer): "Important message from Simaudio about TIDAL streaming service. It has come to our attention that TIDAL altered its method for identifying its Master files, preventing the MiND 2 from recognizing that they contain MQA tags. Our R&D team is working on a new method for detecting these tags and will implement it in a firmware update within the next few weeks."

Give it week or two and sound quality will be further improved!

I have N100H. No audible noise. You have to be very close to the device to hear HDD working. Anyway, most of the time only SSD is used.

Hi Dave. It's hard to expect a flood of reviews on the DDCs, especially if it's a DDC from China. Unfortunately, there are still many prejudices regarding audio products from China, although unbiased reviews of these products are appearing more and more in the Western media. Hans Beekhuyzen Youtube Channel, DarkoAudio or 6moons audio reviews, just to name a few. In addition, DDC is still not considered a full-fledged component, so those reviewers are focused more on DAC reviews. I am long time Stereophile subscriber, but I understand that we can't expect them to review everything we're in

Here is one thought about digital cable comparison, for example cables from Gaia to DAC. I've just read on PS Audio forum this advice from PS Audio digital guru Ted Smith: "when one is comparing one digital cable to another, one should disconnect any other digital cables that won’t be in your system for each test. Most of the noise/interference from a digital cable comes from ground loops, etc. so having multiple cables from one source to the DAC can mask potential benefits of one cable over another." It this true with Gaia & Denafrips DACs? What do you recommend

As I promised, here is short review of Gaia + Venus II combo after Venus II has fully burned in. Introduction: First, let me explain why I decided to try Venus II. I was quite happy with my previous DAC in my setup (Simaudio Moon 380D dsd), but when I added Denafrips Gaia as DDC between Moon and Aurender streamer last year, something happened. I was aware of fact, that DDC can improve sound quality (as my former DDC Matrix audio X-SPDIF2), but this time it was GREAT update sonically, not subtle as with Matrix. For details see my review of GAIA on Denafrips web (Nov 9, 2020 pos

Thanks for info and link to your review. Now I am quite sure I will try Alpha!

Hi Jon, I have noticed that you have “Shunyata Alpha” USB cable. Is it worth money? I have considered this cable as upgrade of usb cable between my Aurender N100H and Denafrips Gaia DDC. I have Siltech Classic Anniversary USB cable now, which is decent cable, but there are great reviews of Alpha online. Have you compared Alpha with other usb cables?

I would prefer Lumin. Great streamer for the money. And these (Lumin or Sonore) are definitely in the category which will benefit from DDC!

I have Venus II + Gaia right now. Venus II is not burned in yet (approaching first 100 hours so far) but I can tell it is great combination. Will post my review after 400 hours of burn in… I had Gaia prior to Venus II connected to Simaudio Moon 380D DAC and it helped there, so naturally when Venus II arrived it was connected to Gaia ready for burning process. Just yesterday I tried to connect Venus II directly to streamer Aurender N100H via USB cable. Well yes, it really is a clear difference. I couldn't stand it for more than ten minutes and I had to put Gaia back on. So in my setup Gaia

Exactly, two, but lower grade (still great though)

GAIA REVIEW UPDATE: I’ve promised that I will report my findings after Gaia settles a little bit in my system. I am only at one third of burn in time period (roughly 300 hours is recommended by Denafrips), but I just can’t resist to share that sound quality of GAIA is still improving. As I wrote before, initial impression was very good, but just after a week of continual using I am really impressed. It is almost unbelievable how big improvement can this DDC bring to already decent digital setup (Aurender N100H streamer + Simaudio Moon 380D dsd DAC). What I wrote before is still

Hi Richard. Frankly, sound is quite good when Aurender goes directly to Moon DAC, but best sounding input on Moon is AES/EBU, and I wanted to use it. I decided to go for Gaia DDC for several reasons. First of all, my budget for sound improvement in my setup is limited. So going for noticeable higher streamer or DAC model is not an option right now (price increase on models I like is too high, way beyond Gaia budget). On my Moon 380D DAC USB is not best sounding input and USB output on Aurender N100H is not best usb output out there (compared to higher Aurender model for example).

Gaia is at home! Gaia has replaced my previous (pretty good for the money) Matrix Audio X-Spdif 2. Mainly use as USB to AES/EBU conversion from Aurender N100H to Simaudio Moon 380D DSD dac. Just first impression (right out of the box, after just one hour of listening): - impressive compared to X-Spfif 2 - sound is more airy, more analog like - deeper, more holographic soundstage - more realistic voices Will update my findings after couple of days...

OK, sounds reasonable. I was just little bit confused by photos online, where there is on/off symbol on some, while “setup” label on others under the same Gaias button. So there must have been some reason Denafrips changed this button.