[AudioAlex]

Did you try ext. clock on DI and I2S (no ext. clock) on a DAC?

Just switched following your advise. I don't dislike it, that's for sure: sounds dense and airy at the same time.. interesting.. Sounds like another viable option.. Did you have any specific technical reason in mind suggesting it?

 

[sajunky]

Just switched following your advise. I don't dislike it, that's for sure: sounds dense and airy at the same time.. interesting.. Sounds like another viable option.. Did you have any specific technical reason in mind suggesting it?

Yes, sort of, because I don't know details of this particular implementation. From analysis of other posts it appears to me that there is no PLL synchronisation with internal clocks on the I2S connection, just a simple phase alignment of the I2S clock to sample data just in the middle of a cycle, not close to the edge. In a simple terms DDC is a master clock for a DAC. There is added jitter on a connection plus the isolator, but if more sophisticated methods do not bring good results, make it simple, stupid (KISS). Universal rule. I remember that @FredA was using such connection and his opinion raised my attention.

If external clock is enabled a DAC is forced to use its internal clock synthesiser for a full reclocking with PLL. If it doesn't work well, it is a sign that something needs to be working on. I expect that after a feedback from DI-24 (where technology is tested) new firmware will be released modifying clock synthesiser operation in DAC's. Kingwa should give us indication when such changes are implemented, as it would change the optimum option.

The above is valid on the I2S connection with a first grade short cable. S/PDIF connection carries more jitter, in this case both devices should be synchronised with external clock for the best result. If doesn't work this way, then there is something more wrong than I thought.

 

[OCC7N]

Just switched following your advise. I don't dislike it, that's for sure: sounds dense and airy at the same time.. interesting.. Sounds like another viable option.. Did you have any specific technical reason in mind suggesting it?

4.075 has very good instrument placement. Be sure to set it to Parallel in the DI20 settings. Serial is just weird with the timing/rythm.

This firmware makes instruments easy to "follow".

The surround/3D is real

 

[OCC7N]

I remember trying all the versions up to v4.076 and found v3.933 the best for me (liquid and rich sound, compared to a bit dry for my taste v4.075 and v4.076) What do you like about v4.075? Maybe I should try it again some time..

DI20 on 3.933 is nothing....I could live without the DI20.

Matrix SPDIF-3 betters it at that version of firmware. Wow it is boring man. I rather use the R8 without the DI20. Not joking. Everything is floating into each other.

Instrument placement level: 0% - Just another DDC.

Forever 4.075

EDIT:
DI-20V3.99
(June. 2020)

Better than, 3.933. Same amount of sweet bas but more musical, very nice rythm. This one could challange 4.075

 

[Hengstenberg]

DI20 on 3.933 is nothing....I could live without the DI20.

Matrix SPDIF-3 betters it at that version of firmware. Wow it is boring man. I rather use the R8 without the DI20. Not joking. Everything is floating into each other.

Instrument placement level: 0% - Just another DDC.

Forever 4.075

LOL Bud, I bet, in a blindtest between 4.75 und 4.76 you would epic fail, haha

Best sounding FW to me is 4.76, but anyway, sold my DI20HE today because my R1N sounded worse with it. lol
I need a DAC with clock input, without the DI20/24 seems worthless to me, so i´m a little depressed today

 

[joseG86]

DI20 on 3.933 is nothing....I could live without the DI20.

Matrix SPDIF-3 betters it at that version of firmware. Wow it is boring man. I rather use the R8 without the DI20. Not joking. Everything is floating into each other.

Instrument placement level: 0% - Just another DDC.

Forever 4.075

EDIT:
DI-20V3.99
(June. 2020)

Better than, 3.933. Same amount of sweet bas but more musical, very nice rythm. This one could challange 4.075

Damn you, you make me flash it again from 3.933 to 4.075

How's the highs? I'm very picky about treble being too much or harnesh or piercing or..... You know......

 

[Hengstenberg]

Damn you, you make me flash it again from 3.933 to 4.075

How's the highs? I'm very picky about treble being too much or harnesh or piercing or..... You know......

imho 3.933 sound is more lush and dense, but sometimes it has some serious timing issues
4.76 is my FW fav <3

 

[OCC7N]

Damn you, you make me flash it again from 3.933 to 4.075

How's the highs? I'm very picky about treble being too much or harnesh or piercing or..... You know......

DI-20(non-he) betters the DI20HE in the highs of the R8H2. More air! - I find the 4.076 unforgiving has a weird rythm. I should have tried it in serial mode.

LOL Bud, I bet, in a blindtest between 4.75 und 4.76 you would epic fail, haha

Best sounding FW to me is 4.76, but anyway, sold my DI20HE today because my R1N sounded worse with it. lol
I need a DAC with clock input, without the DI20/24 seems worthless to me, so i´m a little depressed today

I am not testing R1N.....R8H2 has taken the lead with DI20....Clearly 4.075 was the version my DI20HE came with..

I am on 3.99 now. Seems more soundstage deeper....less floating/bloating than 3.933

 

[Hengstenberg]

DI-20(non-he) betters the DI20HE in the highs of the R8H2. More air! - I find the 4.076 unforgiving has a weird rythm. I should have tried it in serial mode.


I am not testing R1N.....R8H2 has taken the lead with DI20....Clearly 4.075 was the version my DI20HE came with..

I am on 3.99 now. Seems more soundstage deeper....less floating/bloating.

What now? Are you in love with 3.933 or 4.75?
It seems this is changing every hour, lol

 

[OCC7N]

LOL Bud, I bet, in a blindtest between 4.75 und 4.76 you would epic fail, haha

Best sounding FW to me is 4.76, but anyway, sold my DI20HE today because my R1N sounded worse with it. lol
I need a DAC with clock input, without the DI20/24 seems worthless to me, so i´m a little depressed today

You clearly don´t know how open the DIs are.

Your source is everything you can blame when it comes to AGD. Nothing is hidden. Get er Audiophile PCIe card stop using the motherboard USB....

I was like you in the start of AGD journey...You will change you mind more often with a bad source

 

[OCC7N]

What now? Are you in love with 3.933 or 4.75?
It seems this is changing every hour, lol

Bad day?

4.075 and 3.99 so far is good. But 4.075 is my favorite

 

[Hengstenberg]

You clearly don´t know how open the DIs are.

Your source is everything you can blame when it comes to AGD. Nothing is hidden. Get er PCIe card stop using the motherboard USB....

I was like you in the start of AGD journey...You will change you mind more often with a bad source

lol, bud, i don´t blame AGD
R1-NOS sound is so incredible, it don´t need a DDC, DI20/24 or pink faun snake oil
Audio GD R1N DAC is Kingwa´s magic box from the matrix

 

[OCC7N]

lol, bud, i don´t blame AGD
The R1-NOS sound is so incredible, it don´t need a DDC, DI20/24 or pink faun snake oil

Good luck and enjoy your music

 

[OCC7N]

Damn you, you make me flash it again from 3.933 to 4.075

How's the highs? I'm very picky about treble being too much or harnesh or piercing or..... You know......

I see you have different chain than mine.

I use SPDIF input and the differences are soo obvious I am pretty surprised.

 

[FredA]

Damn you, you make me flash it again from 3.933 to 4.075

How's the highs? I'm very picky about treble being too much or harnesh or piercing or..... You know......

4.076 is smoother.