An Audiophile in Seattle "What Sounds Best, USB to DDC - I2s, Coax, Optical, To PS Audio SGCD?"

[@joz411no8]

Great that you got the volume situation under control. On the I2S issue, not all I2S devices are compatible across the board. While more companies are using it, configurations tend to be proprietary for each. I have PS Audio equipment and it’s hands down I2S from their components to their DAC. But it sounds like your coax is doing a hell of a job.

[@vpconcepts9838]

I know that some ports take longer to burn in than others, but all being equal in this test, I sure do love my illuminations kimber kable! Thanks for watching Joz441no! 👊🎼✨

[@pacificateur3630]

Best tweak ever in my digital system was an Ifi Ipurifier 3 on usb input of my dac. ( highy recommended if you use a pc as your transport )

[@vpconcepts9838]

Nice! I have a ifi purifier power supply coming for my DDC this week. 😉👊

[@vpconcepts9838]

Paci, I got the Ipurifier 3 usb filter & damn, you were right! 👌💯🎼✨

[@pacificateur3630]

@@vpconcepts9838 Cool man, very happy it worked for you also 😊

[@vpconcepts9838]

😉👊💯🎼✨

[@Temperature980]

Of all things I have the past decade. Getting a DDC has made the biggest difference. The 2nd was R2R dacs. Even with crappy Phillips headphones the sound is better.

[@vpconcepts9838]

Awesome! Thanks for watching, always! 👌🎼✨

[@nathanjones4039]

Coax was the for sure winner. Glad to hear Paul’s as nice in person/over the phone as he is in his videos.

[@vpconcepts9838]

I'm glad you could hear the difference in the video. In person it was super obvious, so I'm glad it translated through. Thanks for watching Nathan! 👊🎼✨

[@topandrun126]

Always a exciting feelings when anything works.

[@vpconcepts9838]

👌💯🎼✨

[@michaelwright1602]

This little Douk Audio U2 Pro is the BOMB! Much better than the Denafrips Iris DDC, and the sound out of this is first class. I am using between a Volumio Rivo streamer, the USB output to the Douk, and Toslink out to my ToneWinner DAC. I need to try the digital coax next. The best part, no external power supply required for my application.

[@vpconcepts9838]

@@michaelwright1602 thanks for watching! 👌🎼✨

[@michaelwright1602]

@@vpconcepts9838 I just caught you comment on adding a power supply... I am going to give that a shot.

[@Audiorevue]

Let me ask you a question, how do you like the stellar gain cell? I'm in need of a preamplifier and I have been using an older audio research that bit the dust and I'm kind of also looking to get something a bit more modern with analog as well as digital inputs. I also had the idea of checking out the NAD c658, very similar overall with even more functionality but I kind of like the idea of American made with the PS audio plus I've heard a BHK system and I really enjoyed what I heard and thought maybe the gain cell would kind of be a bit like that.

[@vpconcepts9838]

I enjoy it very much. But buy new, they have since update the board inside and are now more reliable and sound better. 👍🎼💯✨

[@throyl2706]

Hello, thanks for the nice review as usual I hope you try the smsl po100 pro DDC. It is cheap and very small. If you can, it would be a really nice thing to do a review of it and compare it to the Douk Audio U2. And thank you for the review

[@vpconcepts9838]

Next in the upgrade list would be the Matrix Audio unit....wish list! 😂👌🎼✨

[@roybraun19]

Great video! I cannot comment on I2S, but I strongly prefer coax to USB on my system. I use Amarra Luxe on my iMac with great results. It has a volume control built in that I control with the Amarra Play app on my iPad. Happy listening to all..

[@vpconcepts9838]

Sweet! I updated my notes in the video description. I2s now clearly beating coax. Thanks for watching Roy! 👊💯🎼✨

[@keithjohnson2863]

I bought this unit by nearly two years ago because I needed an extra USB input for the system I had at that time. I'm using it now because it's better than the USB direct input on my DAC. Powering with the ifi low noise 5V power supply greatly improves performance. The I2S output swaps the left and right channels on my DAC, I confirmed this using the sound test from the midi app on my Mac laptop. However the Mac is not my primary source so using the midi app to swap the channels from the Mac is not helpful. So I'm using the optical output from the DDC.

[@vpconcepts9838]

Yes, mine is still going strong ever since this video. Fortunately my channels are correct with the i2s input on my PS audio gain cell. I will get the matrix audio DDC sometime in the future to compare sound. 👍🎼✨

[@landosazo7506]

Great review....I thought something more expensive is better. No, not really. I've tried 3 USB interfaces so far with the Douk U2 Pro being the most current one. I also have tried the Signstek ($22-29) and the Topping D10S ($109). The Topping D10S was great for the first month then something happened - gives the DAC a punchy bass, full, and a bit forward soundstage, then one day the volume of the music diminished to about 75% from the original setting just by the Topping D10S in the chain. I sent it back for a replacement, but the replacement exhibited the same issue. The Douk U2 Pro with my hi-end USB cable powering the unit, there is heft at the bottom, but the upper midrange is anemic and the upper register is tizzy. Injecting the included 5 volt power cable corrected some of the upper midrange and upper register issues but diminishes the bass and you get a musical soundscape and images on a diet. The best of the 3 is the Signstek. It gives heft, muscle, punch, relaxed but clear soundstage and the images are large; acoustic recordings and voices can come alive. Listen to Pat Metheny's One Quiet Night, HUM's Don't Take it Personally, Terje Gewelt and Anders Jormin's acoustic bass albums, Melody Gardot, Holly Cole, Karen Souza, LUMP (Laura Marling)....To me, the Signstek for $22-29 wins ahead by miles.

[@vpconcepts9838]

I switched my MIDI settings to 24bit 44.1, and everything became perfect with the Douk. I really want to upgrade the Matrix audio next! Thank you for sharing your experience landosazo7506! 👌🎼💯✨

[@tupuhumuhumunukunukuapuaa3093]

I swore by the Douk U2 Pro myself until I came across the SMSL PO100 Pro (XMOS316 based) which I tried just to see if it was the DDC that was causing issues with DSD256+ from HQPlayer. Turns out the SMSL PO100 Pro is better all around period. My DSD512 problem is a processing issue at the computer and while DSD256 was rock solid I no longer use the software (that's another long winded post) as its just not needed in my case. Either of the devices make an improvement for me USB->I2S whether it's plugged into myTopping DX7 Pro with upgraded op-amps, my PS Audio Stellar DAC, or my Gustard A26. By the way in backwards order is how each fair against each other using their own USB inputs (the Gustard stomps the PS Audio in general) to my ears. I'm curious about the Singxer and Gustard units but both use older XMOS chips. I also use filtered power for the SMSL unit. Noisy standard USB power is fine, you'll still get the jump in performance, but cleaner power does help, even a rechargeable battery helps.

[@ritabrata86]

Hi, Thank you very much for this review. I have a Yamaha RN803 amp in which i am streaming High res music through airplay. It has a ESS DAC built in. It does not have any USB input however. If I buy this SMSL and connect my macbook to it via USB and the optical output to my Yamaha, do you think I would get better sound? I found that airplay does not support High res audio. Looking forward to your reply.

[@vpconcepts9838]

@ritabrata86 This is not SMSL. However it will convert usb to optical, coax, I2s if you have those inputs. If you're Yamaha already streams, then using a Mac to stream should not sound any better because you are using the same DAC in your Yamaha internally. However, going from AirPlay to say TIDAL through the mac? Yes it would sound way better. For the price you could give it a try. Thanks for watching!!👍🎼✨

[@Stimpy77777]

I have the Leafaudio U2 CMD 17 Upgrade Version Femtosecond CCHD-575-25 Using I2S into a PS Audio SGCD. It sounds amazing; I'm actually listening to it now... I will have to try the coax!

[@vpconcepts9838]

Don't Stimpy777! Once I added an outboard power supply to the DDC the I2s sounded better! Always experimenting. Thanks for watching! 👊🎼🎉✨

[@Stimpy77777]

@@vpconcepts9838 I have a iFi iPower X Low Noise Power Supply DC Adapter hooked up to mine!

[@vpconcepts9838]

I'm using an Ifi DC ipurifier 2 on mine! Great minds think alike 😂👊💯🎼✨

[@mdiaz0429]

I jus got the Douk Audio device a couple od days ago to use with a Berkeley Audio DAC that has no USB input. It works great!!!! By the way, who plays that version of the song you used on your video, What a Difference a Day makes??

[@vpconcepts9838]

That's great to hear on the Douk! The song...It's a Kimber Kable SACD. "Joe McQueen, 10 at 86". Maybe if you hit them up, you can get one from them. Thanks for watching! 😁👍🎼✨

[@AG-6969]

I have those Sonus Faber speakers and I love them! This is an unrelated question, but you seem in the know so here goes: I play CDs only, got rid of vinyl years ago. I have a nice set up for CDs, but a lot of new music I like is only available in download form. I usually download the music to my Shandling Music Player as my computer is old and cheap. But my music player is not top of the line either. So, question: Is there something I can put between my music player and my home stereo to get a more quality sound? I have been just using Blue Tooth to connect music player to my home stereo. Is it the best sound I can get? It seems lacking.

[@vpconcepts9838]

If your music player has any form of digital out, then a stand alone DAC between that and then analog out to your home stereo would be great. Unless your home stereo receiver has a good DAC in it, you could go from the shandling right into that. If your music player is in another room or across the room, a streaming DAC with network is the way to go. Bluetooth is pretty bad most of the time. If I missed something in your question let me know. 👌🎼✨

[@AG-6969]

@@vpconcepts9838 Thanks, I'll look into going from the player to the dac in my amp. I think I can figure out how to do that. Appreciate your advice and videos. I'm in the Seattle area too! Not happy about the return of the rain, but glad the smoke is gone! Take care.

[@AG-6969]

@@vpconcepts9838 : I was able to run a USB cable from the Music Player USB out to the Amp USB in and it sounds much better! Thanks!

[@vpconcepts9838]

LOL! I moved here for the rain, to each his own right? 🤷‍♂️. You can reach out for a cup of coffee anytime, I'm at the Seahawks stadium 👌🎼💯

[@vpconcepts9838]

Sweet! 👊🎉🎉🎉🎼🏆✨

[@michaelwright1602]

I have an Iris DDC, and it will not play with my Gaincell via i2s, but the digital coax sounds fantastic out of my Mac mini... My Mercury v2 streamer sounds kind of thin on the Gaincell via its i2s output... I honestly do not think the Gaincell is ready for i2s. I had the Venus II 12th prior to the Gaincell, and that is a very long story how that came about. I do not miss the Venus. There are many things I hate about the Gaincell, like not being able to handle my SACDs off my Oppo BDP-83 over digital coax. That really sucks. But, as a digital hub, and my vintage 1970 Sansui 4000, it sounds damn good. Is there an i2s to digital coax converter out there that anyone knows of, with adjustable pinouts to use the i2s with the Gaincell? Subscribed.

[@vpconcepts9838]

Hello Michael, thanks for sharing. I am using this DDC with my Gain Cell with great success to date. I've updated my feedback in the comments. After this video I used an outboard power supply instead of just the USB power, and it leveled up the I2S input by a wide margin. It now beats the coax! The only device I know that caries DSD/SACD over a digital connection, is McIntosh to McIntosh equipment. I think Denon did it back in the day. Im sure there are more, but it's rare. I wouldn't blame the gain cell. I believe other PS audio equipment can between them also, but Oppo to gain cell, no. I hope that helps. 👊💯🎼✨

[@johnhovanec6240]

Those sf speakers sound nice and smooooooooooth!my kind of speakers 🔊

[@vpconcepts9838]

Man I love these, speaker of the year in my opinion! 👊💯🎼🎉✨

[@jcgoobee]

Hello, I just connected the very same Douk model with the I2S to my SGCD, and noticed that the Bitrate is now shown with that connection, but no issues with Coax or Optical. Do you have the same issue that the Bitrate is not displaying on I2S screen too? Thank you.

[@vpconcepts9838]

@@jcgoobee yes, it does not work with I2s. But worth not having that feature for the sound quality upgrade 👍🎼💯✨

[@jcgoobee]

@@vpconcepts9838 Thanks man.. just making sure I'm not smoking.. LOL. Great video, great work. :)

[@vpconcepts9838]

@@jcgoobee You got it 👊🎼✨

[@slaving300]

Hi, did you use it with power supply connected to the wall receptacle and connected via USB to the MAC?. thanks!

[@vpconcepts9838]

@@slaving300 Yup! Check out my pinned comments. I tried both & liked it plugged into external power. Thanks for watching! 👌🎼✨

[@slaving300]

@@vpconcepts9838I heard all your video and with coax sounds less bright, that’s what I need for my Proceed PDP(1).

[@vpconcepts9838]

@@slaving300 that was without the external power supply. I2s is better now. But yes, coax is great too. 👍

[@JoséArbona]

Quality of HDMI cable for i2s use IS critical try the Ricable HDMI supreme made with occ monocristal and teflón insulation It Will change your thougt

[@vpconcepts9838]

*****See video description for links and I2s follow up notes(it gets better!) 😁👊💯🎼🎉✨ Also, Pardon the room acoustics in this video if it bothers you. I had to have the acoustic shades up for enough light to shoot the segment. You can clearly see them open in the video...You'll survive!

[@User_not_found_403]

I bought 2 Douk Audio U2 Pro - one with upgraded clock chips. Great budget way to improve my sound quality. I go M1 MacBook Pro > USB > Douk Audio Pro > I2S via HDMI > Musician Pegasus. I2S sounds the best in my setup.

[@vpconcepts9838]

Did the upgraded clock honestly sound different that the base model? Because man it sounds good! 🤔

[@User_not_found_403]

@@vpconcepts9838 I couldn’t really A/B test, but since it was still relatively cheap compared to other DDCs, I just decided to do it.

[@vpconcepts9838]

I bought mine off Amazon & there was no option for the Crystal or femco upgrades. Where did you buy yours? I do have an ifi 5v power supply on the way 😉👌🎼✨

[@baronofgreymatter14]

So you were going DAC to amp? Via coax or I2S . Im confused what were you hooking up

[@vpconcepts9838]

From computer to the DDC via USB- B. Then I2s and coax to the PS Audio preamp/DAC to compare what sounded best on each input. The coax won at first, till I got a power supply for the DDC, now the I2s sounds much better. Thanks for watching! 👌🎼✨

[@myaudioquest]

All details matter! From the power supply used on the device to the quality of cable that you use. Keep your USB cable as short as possible and choose all your cables wisely. Digital cables can sound harsh, smooth or in-between in a resolving system (with discerning ears) so experiment whenever possible. My two cents!

[@vpconcepts9838]

👍🎼💯✨

[@mikeeygauthier2959]

What is the output setting in the MacBook Pro? Go to MIDI setting. Mine is set at 16 192 kHz , sounds best.

[@vpconcepts9838]

Close! I found 16 96khz sounded best with my setup. 😉👌🎼✨

[@vpconcepts9838]

You got me curious after this conversation. I spent the day listening to every damn MIDI setting! I can't go exclusive mode on Tidal, because it overrides the volume control on my computer all over again, LOL. I found myself looking over at the system & going "wow that sounds live in the room" the most often with the MIDI set to 24/16.44 (that's not with headphones). Can you hop on that for a bit & tell me if you get that same emotion out of it? Just curious 😉👌🎼✨

[@mikeeygauthier2959]

@@vpconcepts9838 Glad to hear from you! The thing is I am streaming and downloading through Apple lossless music (9.99 CDN a month) and Bit Perfect software. So we might be comparing apples and oranges here. I went through the whole gamut and the 192 kHz was absolutely the best setting! I have the MacBook Pro 2013 with the I7 quad core 16 gigs ram. Have you cleaned the ram lately?

[@vpconcepts9838]

No I haven't cleaned the RAM. I'll check that out! 👊💯🎼🏆✨

[@mikeeygauthier2959]

@@vpconcepts9838 Go to terminal and type in: sudo purge. Hit return then you’ll have to re-type in your password.

[@fadetoblack.-]

do you know the size of the 5v input for my separate power supply

[@michaelwright1602]

2.1 standard

[@ldam]

I’m using this I Mac mini m1 I couldn’t get the sound to come out of i2s to my smsl vmv d1se dac, toslink work fine. Any idea

[@vpconcepts9838]

The smsl may have a different HDMI pin setup. I checked on the forums before I bought it, that it worked with PS Audio's configuration. 👌🎼✨

[@ldam]

@@vpconcepts9838 that what I thought at first, but then I look at the diagram for both i2s and they are the same. It will show up dsd on my dac but no sound.

[@vpconcepts9838]

Did you check both midi & then sound settings menu? It's in 2 places. 🤔

[@ldam]

@@vpconcepts9838 yeah cuz sound does come out of the toslink

[@vpconcepts9838]

True True. Could be a faulty unit. Unless there is a setting or toggle on your DAC that you need to hit to let that input work 🤷‍♂️✨

[@rhettoneal]

Can you explain how you’re going to get an I2S signal with separate clock and data streams from a USB signal which has combined clock and data streams? Doesn’t I2S have to start from the source to the DAC? That might explain why it doesn’t sound good -you’re not getting a true I2S signal. Douk audio is kind of cheap to.

[@vpconcepts9838]

It sounds great. It needed an external power supply, the usb power was to weak. I have since updated that in my notes. I2s divides the signal in 2, it is much better. Thanks for watching! 👌🎼✨

[@steven2809]

@rhettoneal. Because the Douk U2 Pro re-clocks the USB signal. It has three separate crystal clocks inside. It is obviously outputting a 'real' I2S signal clocked by the Douk.

[@foraslan5801]

eye--squared--esssssss.......I2S

[@vpconcepts9838]

Yessss 😂👌💯🎼✨

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

🤗 I hope you will do a follow up after Break in…I watch PAUL’s videos daily 😎💚💚💚

[@arize84]

What cable did you use for I2S?

[@vpconcepts9838]

Kimber kable HD29. A link to it in the video description 😉👊🎼✨

[@highcadence901]

That douk audio is only compatible with ps audio hdmi pin configuration units . Make sure it is compatible, I bought one these usb bridges and was not compatible with my Smsl m400 I2s . Do you homework study the hdmi pin configuration

[@vpconcepts9838]

This is hooked up to a PS audio I2s. Do what homework?

[@highcadence901]

@@vpconcepts9838 meant to say if you are buying a usb bridge unit to use the I2s input some units have about 4 hdmi option . After reading the douk manual and the manual for my Smsl 400 the iS2 the hdmi pin configuration not compatible.

[@vpconcepts9838]

Oh, yup. I read the PS audio forums about this before I bought it. They all use it on their PS Audio products. Thanks again for watching! 👊🎼✨

[@johngault-9597]

Did you know your voice is identical to Sam The Cooking Guy...

[@vpconcepts9838]

I don't hear it 🤷‍♂️😂✨

[@akia123]

dude you need some room treameant. the room sounds echoy

[@vpconcepts9838]

If I had a $1 for every time someone popped in with that! LOL! I have the windows open for light during the video. You can see in my other videos I have acoustic cloth pull-down shades and room treatments on my other wall. I do thank you for watching Yep! 👊🎼✨

[@fredrikbarthel4803]

All I2s is not the same! You will do all clocking in that douk box with a lott of jitter due to bad clock oscillators! You bypass the PS inbuild FPGA and and clock! Coax is also a downgrade with a lot of jitter! However on coax the FPGA can reclock the signal and use the internal clock oscillators. On top off all this it generates a lot of noise to your dac. Please get rid of that junk.. Check the manual if you can alter the gain for the volume control.

[@vpconcepts9838]

No, you can't alter the gain, and it overrides the volume of the computer. Without this little box, you can't get I2s from the computer to the PS Audio. And see my notes, it sounded better than the coax after an external power supply was added. It sounds wonderful & absolutely worth the upgrade. Thanks for watching 👌🎼✨