I picked up a DDC (Matrix Audio X-SPDIF 2) because I wanted to use 1 source to many DACs and not go through switches. I thought that is where the value for me would be, but it truly was the sonic improvements. I was super impressed by how much better the system sounded with a DDC in line, let alone being able to take advantage of AES/EBU and I2S inputs available on a couple of those DACs.
I just bought the Kitsune tuned Su-2 to use the IIS output to my Topping DX7 (with Burson V6 Vivids). I've also got a Schiit Gumby with the updated USB. I am expecting to never leave my apartment for the next decade. The quarantine is a strange blessing in disguise.
That makes sense. The Modius and Hugo2 do not have USB galvanic isolation so I can see why the SU2 in the chain would sound more open and smooth. It is good to know there is a alternative to the Schiit EITR since it was discontinued. I always thought the USB input input sucked on all DACs until I learned about galvanic isolation and purchased a Schiit EITR. It made a noticeable improvement on my Hugo2 but not on my YggyGS with unison USB upgrade. I would love a comparison between this and the KTE SU-2 since they look the same chassis and all.
A couple other things to weigh: If you plan on running through DACs, like, gonna try a bunch of DACs, etc. Getting one SU-2 or SU-6 or whatever, will improve all of those. Every DAC you try from then on out. Secondly and obviously if you particularly like the DAC you have or if you're at the top of the brand's lineup, then obviously this would be a reasonable way to boost that performance of the DAC you already like.
Following my Apos link in description it is listed at $429 still as of 10:50am Central Standard Time (US) on 7 Jan 2022. The Kitsune tuned edition is $789. Won't surprise me if the price goes up at some point, though. But $250 more seems a bit big.
Yes. I assume this in reference to my saying you could use a DDC in a multi-dac system? The BF2 is nice in that the performance of its balanced and SE outputs is very close. There are other DACs for which that isn't the case. So I can definitely see situations where someone might want to use the balanced output of one DAC to feed the balanced input of an amp. But, then they might have a tube amp for a change up too, and the vast majority of those are all SE. So, having a second DAC that has a good SE output becomes important, and so forth... Thanks for watching @RdyPlyOne. I appreciate the support!
My SU-2 is connected to my Topping D90 via the I2S port. But I cannot pass DSD native files through. Shenzhen Audio support says I need to set the switch but they have not provided me with the correct settings. Would anyone be able to help?
Hi there, thankyou for talking about this gear, i’m wondering if you botice any latency on watching movies using this DDC? I’m very contemplated if it’s better to buy this or just go for the su6
Good comprehensive review! (which helped to convince me to purchase the device). One issue you didn't touch on was -- with the Singxer in the path, does a quality USB cable make any difference? I am comparing the Curious usb cable with a standard el cheapo cable; I've noticed audible differences, the Curious improves in most respects, but wondering what your take is.
I hope you're enjoying the SU-2. I have been using a Shunyata Venom USB cable between PC and SU-2. I originally used a Monoprice USB-audio cable. The Venom was cleaner, subtly more detailed, created a bigger and more coherent stage, and noticeably improved the bass texturing and macrodynamic impact. I have no experience with the Curious USB cables as of yet.
Hi there After watching your video I am now itching to experience this for myself. I am getting the SU2 soon enough. You convinced me. My question is which cable should use to connect the DDC to my Gustard A18 DAC? Will it be AES, IIS or digital coaxial cable? Pls help me with this? Many thanks
The IIS will be the highest bandwidth and transmit all the formats that USB can, if that matters to you (DSD, MQA, utra-high PCM). If you're not worried about those, I'd recommend the AES.
@@wavetheorysound hi 👋 I am waiting for the SU-2 to arrive in 2 weeks time. I also purchased the AES cable like you advisedly to connect it to my Gustard A18 for my headphone rig and I will use it with my smsl do200 for my speaker set up. Shall let u know my experience with it when the SU-2 arrives. Can’t wait to tell you 😊
@@yus659 So what is your experience with the SU-2 and how long is the AES cable you bought, i know they have to be at least 1 metres long, or they don`t sound good
I have come close to pulling the trigger on a su6 (or maybe it was a su8?) and now they have a su2. I would be curious to know the differences, if any in performance. Around $200 or little more extra for the su6 I think. I would love to pull the trigger on a used berkely audio usb converter they made years back but they are hard to find and were $1800 New I think. I have been using a older musical fidelity usb convertot for years and hopefully one of these is a upgrade .
I cannot say for sure as I have no experience with the D70s. However, odds are good that the SU-2's USB interface is superior to the D70s' USB input alone. Is it worth the extra cost? I'd probably sell the D70s first and then combine what you get from the sale and what you're willing to spend on the SU-2 and get something that's higher performing overall.
it'll definitely improve the sound quality a noticeable amount. a d70s has i2s input and if you ever get a ddc i'd suggest using it with a short hdmi cable. theres cheaper options out there like the douk u2 pro or leaf audio cmd-17 which are just amazing improvements for the price.
I picked up a DDC (Matrix Audio X-SPDIF 2) because I wanted to use 1 source to many DACs and not go through switches. I thought that is where the value for me would be, but it truly was the sonic improvements. I was super impressed by how much better the system sounded with a DDC in line, let alone being able to take advantage of AES/EBU and I2S inputs available on a couple of those DACs.
I just bought the Kitsune tuned Su-2 to use the IIS output to my Topping DX7 (with Burson V6 Vivids). I've also got a Schiit Gumby with the updated USB. I am expecting to never leave my apartment for the next decade. The quarantine is a strange blessing in disguise.
That makes sense. The Modius and Hugo2 do not have USB galvanic isolation so I can see why the SU2 in the chain would sound more open and smooth. It is good to know there is a alternative to the Schiit EITR since it was discontinued. I always thought the USB input input sucked on all DACs until I learned about galvanic isolation and purchased a Schiit EITR. It made a noticeable improvement on my Hugo2 but not on my YggyGS with unison USB upgrade. I would love a comparison between this and the KTE SU-2 since they look the same chassis and all.
A couple other things to weigh:
If you plan on running through DACs, like, gonna try a bunch of DACs, etc. Getting one SU-2 or SU-6 or whatever, will improve all of those. Every DAC you try from then on out.
Secondly and obviously if you particularly like the DAC you have or if you're at the top of the brand's lineup, then obviously this would be a reasonable way to boost that performance of the DAC you already like.
Wonderful review! I have a Modius and this is very helpful. Subscribed.
Now the price is upwards near $700.00, that is at Apos and Amazon of course.
Following my Apos link in description it is listed at $429 still as of 10:50am Central Standard Time (US) on 7 Jan 2022. The Kitsune tuned edition is $789. Won't surprise me if the price goes up at some point, though. But $250 more seems a bit big.
Bifrost 2 has two outputs...I use both on mines. Makes 2 amp setups easy.
Yes. I assume this in reference to my saying you could use a DDC in a multi-dac system? The BF2 is nice in that the performance of its balanced and SE outputs is very close. There are other DACs for which that isn't the case. So I can definitely see situations where someone might want to use the balanced output of one DAC to feed the balanced input of an amp. But, then they might have a tube amp for a change up too, and the vast majority of those are all SE. So, having a second DAC that has a good SE output becomes important, and so forth...
Thanks for watching @RdyPlyOne. I appreciate the support!
My SU-2 is connected to my Topping D90 via the I2S port. But I cannot pass DSD native files through. Shenzhen Audio support says I need to set the switch but they have not provided me with the correct settings. Would anyone be able to help?
Hi there, thankyou for talking about this gear, i’m wondering if you botice any latency on watching movies using this DDC? I’m very contemplated if it’s better to buy this or just go for the su6
good job, really nice explained
I2S ftw... I have a similar unit to connect a streamer to my holo audio spring kte dac.
Good comprehensive review! (which helped to convince me to purchase the device).
One issue you didn't touch on was -- with the Singxer in the path, does a quality USB cable make any difference? I am comparing the Curious usb cable with a standard el cheapo cable; I've noticed audible differences, the Curious improves in most respects, but wondering what your take is.
I hope you're enjoying the SU-2. I have been using a Shunyata Venom USB cable between PC and SU-2. I originally used a Monoprice USB-audio cable. The Venom was cleaner, subtly more detailed, created a bigger and more coherent stage, and noticeably improved the bass texturing and macrodynamic impact. I have no experience with the Curious USB cables as of yet.
Hi there
After watching your video I am now itching to experience this for myself. I am getting the SU2 soon enough. You convinced me. My question is which cable should use to connect the DDC to my Gustard A18 DAC? Will it be AES, IIS or digital coaxial cable? Pls help me with this? Many thanks
The IIS will be the highest bandwidth and transmit all the formats that USB can, if that matters to you (DSD, MQA, utra-high PCM). If you're not worried about those, I'd recommend the AES.
@@wavetheorysound ok I think I will get the AES then. Thanks so much
@@wavetheorysound hi 👋 I am waiting for the SU-2 to arrive in 2 weeks time. I also purchased the AES cable like you advisedly to connect it to my Gustard A18 for my headphone rig and I will use it with my smsl do200 for my speaker set up. Shall let u know my experience with it when the SU-2 arrives. Can’t wait to tell you 😊
@@yus659 So what is your experience with the SU-2 and how long is the AES cable you bought, i know they have to be at least 1 metres long, or they don`t sound good
Nicely done man! Keep up the good work!
I have come close to pulling the trigger on a su6 (or maybe it was a su8?) and now they have a su2. I would be curious to know the differences, if any in performance. Around $200 or little more extra for the su6 I think. I would love to pull the trigger on a used berkely audio usb converter they made years back but they are hard to find and were $1800 New I think. I have been using a older musical fidelity usb convertot for years and hopefully one of these is a upgrade .
I you have a desktop PC, it's cheaper to go with Pink Faun spdif pci-e output
can you use the digital inputs standalone without usb? to plug an ADC
Did you use the IIS? Did you have to adjust any of the switches in the bottom ?
No. I don't have any IIS capable DACs currently.
Or you want galvanic isolation from your audio computer. All need good clocks and power supplies
You think a good clock is better than a ddc?
I have a topping d70s would there be any benefit to using one of these in conjunction with it? Thanks
I cannot say for sure as I have no experience with the D70s. However, odds are good that the SU-2's USB interface is superior to the D70s' USB input alone. Is it worth the extra cost? I'd probably sell the D70s first and then combine what you get from the sale and what you're willing to spend on the SU-2 and get something that's higher performing overall.
it'll definitely improve the sound quality a noticeable amount. a d70s has i2s input and if you ever get a ddc i'd suggest using it with a short hdmi cable. theres cheaper options out there like the douk u2 pro or leaf audio cmd-17 which are just amazing improvements for the price.
Anychance you know SU6 vs SU2 in terms of sound quality?
I haven't heard SU-6.
Does this DDC use the ps audio iis protocol?
That idk. I would reach out to PS Audio directly to find out.