Dac2 i2s?

[schneice]

Hi all,

I've been considering trying to play around with I2S out of my DAC 2. I've read some posts that say this is basically a more direct route between a server and the DAC.

Anyone tried this?

Do you know if there is a way to configure JRiver on a PC to use a HDMI out for audio?

Thanks!

[chessman]

It is a HDMI cable, but is not configured like HDMI. Instead it emulates the signal setup that the DAC computer chip uses. The theory is that one less interpolation will reduce jitter. I used to use a DAC with the old style I2Squared cable and it was much better than S/PDIF. Now, some argue that USB with an asynchronous clock is better than either.

[doggiehowser]

As jdandy said the HDMI connector on the DAC2 is just a connector - it does not carry HDMI (audio video) like in a conventional audio video gear.

I2S is a connection that is closest to the "bare metal" of the DAC chip and usually does sound pretty good on the DACs I have played with that have both I2S and SPDIF.

You can get I2S HDMI outputs from a PS Audio PerfectWave transport (reads CDs and hires WAV on data DVDs) or from Empirical Audio Off Ramp which gives an async USB connection to your PC

[schneice]

Thanks - based on the comments may not be worth exploring vs SPDIF.

I understand it is not HDMI standard - but just checking if there was a way to do I2S digital (audio) via the HDMI port out on my PC to the I2S in on the DAC2. A poor man's PS Audio so to speak. The answer could be a simple no because it ports through the video card.

[doggiehowser]

I have not heard the new DAC2DSD/SE but on the original DAC2, we used an OffRamp 4 (with upgrades) that did sound better than the USB that shipped with it.

[vondogg14]

I have used I-2-S over HDMI. It wont work with a basic HDMI output signal. The device outputting the digital signal must be compatible per the manufacturer. PS Audio, and Wyred4Sound are the only two manufacturers I am aware of.

I have used it in my system with a PS Audio Perfect Wave Transport connected to a Wyred4Sound DAC-2. I have also used a specially modified Sonos ZP90 (modified by Wyred4Sound) which interfaces with the W4S DAC-2. The sound is excellent. I just sold the CD transport, and went back to using the modified Sonos ZP90 with the DAC. There are three settings (selectable) on the DAC-2, I-2-S, RJ, and LJ. It must be initially - One setting will sound perfect, while another will be full of static.