LAiV Harmony uDDC Re-clocker/DDC

[Jake2]

Nice, but its more of a generic talk about i2s than on focus on the device. sounds like he hasn't reviewed yet, it has a part 2 to come

Srajan certainly does enjoy his multi-parters! I look forward to his insights (though I’ll have to have my usual strong coffee before reading), as in his other LAiV reviews to date he’s had a good dialogue with Weng-fai about the design aspects and development.

 

[demondes]

Received a personalised response back from Laiv regarding what improvements to expect from the uDDC, and based on that I have just completed the pre-purchase deposit. Note: since I had points from the Laiv DAC that took approx $50 USD off the price as well. Nice Bonus.

 

[uncola]

Received a personalised response back from Laiv regarding what improvements to expect from the uDDC, and based on that I have just completed the pre-purchase deposit. Note: since I had points from the Laiv DAC that took approx $50 USD off the price as well. Nice Bonus.

Can you share what he said or it it confidential stuff

 

[demondes]

Can you share what he said or it it confidential stuff

I don't think it's confidential. Of course the following is in reference to use with LAIV DAC, not sure how it woud behave with other DAC brands.

This is what it does

"The uDDC provides advanced reclocking for USB, I2S, and SPDIF inputs. This results in reduced jitter and improved accuracy before the signal reaches the Harmony DAC. The uDDC introduces optocoupler isolation on digital outputs, minimizing potential interference and ensuring a cleaner signal path."

Expected Improvements over Laiv DAC alone

expected results would likely be improvements in soundstage depth, tighter bass, and improved microdetails.

 

[BlackPink]

Perhaps for those who use a PC as a digital source it can bring a benefit.

 

[MAURO16164]

The uDCC has a galvanically isolated I2S output which is a PLUS that few manufacturers in the world have in their dacs. I own a Musetec 006 and the usb output is galvanically isolated and is superior, sonically, to the i2s output. So if the Laiv reclocker can bring the I2S output to the same level as the usb one I expect a substantial improvement. Obviously this reclocker is useful ONLY if you own a dac and a streamer with i2s connections.

 

[uncola]

mauro what a coincidence lol I intend to use this with my musetec 006 but I only have the mini version, I believe one advantage of the full size 006 is galvanically isolated usb among other things

 

[Jake2]

Perhaps for those who use a PC as a digital source it can bring a benefit.

Depending on the standard of its implementation, the level it performs at, it could be more widely beneficial even in systems with good streamers too. For e.g. there’s a chap over on the X30 thread, who uses the same LHY UIP USB regen I do, in his case to improve the output of his A8 streamer beyond I2S direct to his DAC. I found similar with my now retired if more modest Zen Stream, it was lifted into a different class.

 

[BlackPink]

Depending on the standard of its implementation, the level it performs at, it could be more widely beneficial even in systems with good streamers too. For e.g. there’s a chap over on the X30 thread, who uses the same LHY UIP USB regen I do, in his case to improve the output of his A8 streamer beyond I2S direct to his DAC. I found similar with my now retired if more modest Zen Stream, it was lifted into a different class.

Certainly, but for me it remains an object that should be tried before purchasing, in its own set up.

 

[sygnus21]

This is the layman's description of what the uDDC does. DDC stands for Digital To Digital Converter. Not clear why the "u" signifies.

Perhaps for those who use a PC as a digital source it can bring a benefit.

As a Denafrips (direct competitor to the LAiV) owner - Pontus DAC, Hermes DDC, Artemis Headphone amp. That uDDC is basically a filter that's said to cleanup background noise going into the DAC for a darker (cleaner) background against which music has more micro-detail and staging.

What is not clear from the Laiv site is if there is any benefit )and if so how much) from using the uDDC clock versus the one In the Laiv DAC alone.

Denafrips' owners have asked the same question

That said, DDCs do seem to be doing something as the background against which music plays is better with the DDC than not. I do recommend trying it.

At the end of the day, Denafrips, and LAiV would say to those questioning the need for such things that's "even though the USB input of the devices are good, these DDC's take that performance even further". And when asking why not just incorporate the tech into the DAC themselves, the answer would be "we're trying to keep costs down".

At the end of the day, it's just another piece to nickel and dime you into paying more for something that should have been incorporated anyway.

 

[rafabro]

This is what it does

"The uDDC provides advanced reclocking for USB, I2S, and SPDIF inputs. This results in reduced jitter and improved accuracy before the signal reaches the Harmony DAC.

+/- all DDC does the same think. Only question mark is implementation & quality.

I am curious about power supply as clearly is external. Now, is it linear PS or impulse one?

 

[MAURO16164]

mauro che coincidenza lol ho intenzione di usarlo con il mio musetec 006 ma ho solo la versione mini, credo che un vantaggio del 006 full size sia l'USB galvanicamente isolato tra le altre cose

+/- all DDC does the same think. Only question mark is implementation & quality.

I am curious about power supply as clearly is external. Now, is it linear PS or impulse one?

Alvin suggested purchasing a 5v linear power supply

 

[catastrofe]

+/- all DDC does the same think. Only question mark is implementation & quality.

I am curious about power supply as clearly is external. Now, is it linear PS or impulse one?

There's a USB C power input, so you can use that or an external power supply. What isn't really clear from the announcement/website is whether a power supply is included with the unit.

This is the layman's description of what the uDDC does. DDC stands for Digital To Digital Converter. Not clear why the "u" signifies.

The "u" is actually the greek "micro" symbol...still not sure what it means. Maybe "mirco DDC" as a marketing play to portray accuracy?

 

[rafabro]

Maybe "mirco DDC"

Definitely this as it is small device.

 

[uncola]

I have a Jay's Audio LPS25VA 5V output that alvin sold me in a group buy years ago I'll give that a try.. I'm sure it comes with a small switching mode power supply, it would be weird to ship it with no power supply