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    At Long Last! Listen To Your (Physical) SACDs Through an Outboard DAC

     

    At Long Last! Listen To Your SACDs Through an Outboard DAC
    George Graves

     

     

    When Sony/Phillips Announced their new Super Audio CD format (SACD) in 1999/2000, Sony opened a marketing office in NYC to advertise and promote the new format. They reached out to a number of  audio writers (including, yours truly) with the “gift” of a new Sony SCD-777ES player (listing for $3500) and a “subscription” to all SACD releases as they came out – regardless of label! As a result of that, and the many SACDs that I received from companies such as Telarc and Reference Recordings, etc, after Sony shut that office down (not to mention the ones that I bought myself), I have hundreds of SACDs!

     

    For years, I used my SCD-777ES player to play them and enjoyed what I thought was great SACD playback. After all, the Sony turned out to be, at the time, the best regular CD player that I had heard. Why wouldn’t the SACD portion of the player be just as exemplary? Then, about five years ago, the 777 stopped being able to play SACDs. It still played regular CDs but it wouldn’t even “recognize” the SACD layer in the dual layer discs and the early Sony SACDs, which were single layer (and culled mostly from the Columbia Records catalogue) wouldn’t play at all. I was devastated. I had recently bought a really cheap Sony BDP-BX37 Blu-Ray player on E-Bay and when I subsequently discovered that it would also play SACDs, I was ecstatic! Sadly the euphoria didn’t last long as this Blu-Ray player’s SACD playback was terrible and certainly not satisfying to anyone who was used to the SCD-777ES.

     

    In the meantime I had taken the 777 ES to the Sony warranty repair shop in my area, and was told that the problem was that the laser LED for the SACD portion of the player had failed and there were no more spares (an old story with Sony) as they made only a certain number of spare laser assemblies and this turned out to be a weak spot in the player’s design. In other words, almost all of the 777s either had failed or will fail in this manner! So the player could not be fixed (anyone interested in buying that brick from me?).

     

    The Blu-Ray player sounded so mediocre playing SACDs, that I essentially stopped listening to them. My SACD copies of Miles Davis’ “Kinda Blue” and “Sketches of Spain,” Dave Brubeck’s “Time Out,” Bernstein’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” Copland’s “Appalachian Spring” and all the other Columbia SACDs that I own couldn’t even be ripped to iTunes or JRiver’s Media Player because these were single-layer discs with no Red Book CD layer.

     

    When I obtained an Oppo UDP-205 media player, I was heartened because the player used a state-of-the-art DAC section built around the top-of-the-line ESS “SaberDAC” ES9038PRO DAC chip and it supported SACD. Again, I was disappointed. The SaberDACs are of the Delta-Sigma variety and are (in my humble opinion) far inferior to many of the modern R2R (ladder DAC) designs for PCM, but due to their single-bit architecture should be perfect for SACD. So, I don’t understand why the SaberDAC Pro sounds so mediocre in this regard.  Both the Schiit Yggdrasil and the super-cheap Schiit Modi Multi-bit DACs performed rings around the ES9038PRO chips in the Oppo on PCM, but alas, none of the Schiit DACs support SACD. The Oppo, while it does support SACD, it really doesn’t sound all that much better than my cheap Sony Blu-Ray player. 

     

     

    Out of the Box Thinking


    I was contemplating writing-off my entire SACD collection because, let’s face it, who wants to listen to SACDs that sound, essentially no better (albeit somewhat different) than their Red Book versions? I was pretty much at a loss. When I received the Denafrips Pontus DAC, I was interested to note that all of the company’s DACs support the I2S digital interconnect protocol via HDMI. I also noted that the Oppo had two HDMI outputs. ‘VIDEO’ was, of course, for connection to one’s TV for playing Blu-Ray discs and DVDs. But I found the second one was labeled ‘AUDIO’ and that intrigued me. I also knew that even though no SACD player (to my knowledge) ever broke-out the DSD signal (the actual SACD digital format) from any player, that DSD signal was available as part of the HDMI digital video protocol.

     

    That got me thinking. I wondered if I could just connect an HDMI cable from the AUDIO  output of the Oppo directly to the HDMI input of the Pontus DAC. Even though I really didn’t expect it to work, I figured that it was worth a try. It couldn’t harm anything, and who knew? I might “get lucky”. Well I wasn’t disappointed when it didn’t work, after all that’s what I suspected would be the outcome.


    But, I was still intrigued with the possibility. The fact remained that the DSD signal from an SACD was available on the HDMI interface. But further reading of the Pontus manual told me that the HDMI input was dedicated solely to I2S digital signals. Was there any way to convert the HDMI from a Blu-Ray player to I2S? I went on E-Bay and searched for “HDMI to I2S”. My ad hoc search yielded a series of circuit boards and complete units that took an HDMI output from video sources and output I2S over HDMI as well as coaxial and optical SPDIF! All of the units and boards seemed to be the same thing from different vendors. The bare circuit boards were around US$45, and the complete, packaged units (same circuit) seemed to be US$55-$60. I ordered one of the complete units from China (naturally) and waited for it to arrive.

     

    Here’s the URL for the E-Bay page containing all of the converters from different vendors: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2499334.m570.l1312&_nkw=i2s&_sacat=0

     

     

    Connecting the Oppo Through the I2S Converter Box to the Denafrips DAC

     

    The I2S converter arrived from China during Christmas week. I couldn’t have asked for a nicer Christmas gift to myself. My friend Ted and I busied ourselves hooking it up.

     

    Let’s take a look at the converter unit. The box is about four-inches by four-inches by about two inches. Normally, this unit does not require an external DC power supply as most players will provide the needed 5 Volt DC via the HDMI cable. But, in case it does require external power. It's connected by the kind of barrel connector that often comes with wall-wart type supplies. The converter, however, comes with no power supply, wall-wart or otherwise, and the buyer must supply his own if his player does not supply the needed voltage or if the current from one’s HDMI source is insufficient. I felt that a better supply, than that available from my Oppo player, might be worth it, so I employed an ifi brand ‘iUSB’ box that I wasn’t using and a cable that had a USB Type A connector on one end and a suitable barrel connector on the other (BTW, about the unit’s power supply polarity; the unit comes with no documentation, and I had to test the polarity myself with a multimeter. So, to save any readers who want to try this project, the trouble of checking this themselves, the barrel is negative and the “tip” is positive.).

     

     

    image1.jpg image2.jpg

     


    The box has three HDMI female connectors, one is located on the audio output interface side of the unit. This is the output that goes to one’s DAC. The “output” side also sports a coax and a Toslink SPDIF connector and an I2S connector that I don’t recognize (and isn’t used in this application). The ‘HDMI side’ of the unit has the HDMI input from one’s player, and an HDMI output to one’s TV. Also provided is a three-position slide switch that enables the user switch the HDMI output between one’s TV, an amplifier that takes HDMI in, or ostensibly both (it’s labeled DUO, so I suspect that’s what it means – No manual, remember?). Then of course there is the 5 volt external power supply jack and a red LED indicating that an outboard power supply is connected and is turned on. 

     

    With the Oppo UDP-205, one connects the “Audio” HDMI output of the player to the input of the I2S converter box (if your player doesn’t have an audio-only HDMI output, use the video HDMI output) and the output of the HDMI side of the converter box goes to the HDMI input on one’s DAC.  That’s pretty straightforward.  

     

    Unfortunately, unless one is lucky (and depending on the brand of I2S connected DAC), that’s not all one must do. Apparently, there is no standard for connecting I2S over HDMI. The manufacturers can use any pins not used by the HDMI standard in the connector for the I2S interface. In many cases the user would have to find which pins on the converter box have the I2S signal on them and then perhaps rewire the DAC’s HDMI (or other I2S connector) to match. It is possible that your DSD-capable DAC doesn’t have an HDMI connector for I2S. The converter box also outputs I2S over both coax and Toslink. Denafrips has thoughtfully provided their DACs with a method for using the front panel switch buttons to allow the user to try all the different possible combinations. When the correct one is found, the I2S light on the front panel illuminates. Rather than go through the procedure here, I invite interested readers to go to the YouTube video listed below:

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    The video says that it's for the Venus II model, but it also applies to the Pontus, and both the Terminator and the Terminator+ models. The only Denafrips DAC that doesn’t support I2S is the entry level Ares II.


    As luck would have it, if you are using one of the Denafrips DACs that support I2S, The correct pinout to interface with the Chinese converter bought from E-Bay is the default Denafrips’ configuration!

     

     

    Operation

     

    Once the I2S light on the front panel is lit, you’re all set. Just insert an SACD into the player’s transport and hit play. The DSD light will come on and 44.1 KHz sampling light will illuminate, and the 1X light will also light-up. Ignore the sampling rate light, but the 1X light will indicate that a DSD 64 source is playing. DSD 64 is the default for SACD, and 1X is probably the only light that one will ever see. 2X would mean DSD128, and 3X would indicate DSD256. DSD512 is not supported, but that’s OK because there are no SACDs (to my knowledge) in either DSD 128 or DSD 512.

     

     

    Sound

     

    Be prepared for the best SACD playback that you have ever heard! I wish that my SCD-777ES was still functioning, to compare, but I do have the Oppo UDP-205 with the highly touted ESS ES9038PRO DAC chip and I have an inexpensive Sony Blu-Ray player that also plays SACD. Neither of them are even in the same galaxy with the Denafrips Pontus I2S configuration! The bass is deeper than the ESS DAC, the highs are cleaner and much less grainy. The soundstage is both wider and deeper and the image specificity (in recordings where such exists) is simply more holographic. Of course, all of this is contingent on what brand of I2S-capable DAC you end up using. In short, I noticed similar sonic characteristics with the Pontus that I experienced listening to 24/96, or 24/192 LPCM sources on the unit. 

     

    In conclusion, just for fun, I tried the setup with my cheap Sony BDP-BX37 Blu-Ray player (for which I paid less than $50). I turned on the DSD over HDMI option in the audio settings and connected it to the I2S converter box via the video HDMI out on the Sony. It worked perfectly as I suspected it would, but unexpectedly, the output from the Sony, though, supposedly merely a digital DSD data stream (after all, we are only using the players as transports), sounded much worse than the same SACDs with the Oppo as the transport!

     

    If you choose to go this route, I suspect that any Blu-Ray player that advertises that it will play SACD discs via HDMI will play them without hassle, but be aware that the end result will depend on the quality of the transport player every bit as much as it will depend on the quality of the I2S compatible DSD capable DAC. 


         

     




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    This is the Ebay box I bought.

     

    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Digital-Interface-Separate-Extract-Audio-I2S-Optic-Fiber-Coaxial-HDMI-ToI2S-IIS/124522696807?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

     

    L/R channels are reversed via its I2S HDMI output.

    I was able to negate this via I2S settings adjustments in my Topping D90's menu.

     

    My newly acquired Gustard X16 however does not offer I2S pin settings adjustments in its menu so I simply reverse the XLR output leads.

     

    Anyone using the I2S HDMI output of this particular box with a DAC that does not offer I2S pin settings adjustments will need to swap their output cables over for correct L/R channels.

     

    See my Feb 4 post for I2S pin settings diagram of box.

    Also note that DSD flag is pin 15 which worked with my Gustard and was set in my Topping ( it offered 14 or 15) 

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    4 hours ago, jxo said:

    Some of the listings for these boxes refer to Board B versions implying an update.  Thanks for all your work on this George.

    No problem. I just wish I could use the coax or optical connection for I2S. It would allow me to eliminate an HDMI switch and connect the I2S through another interconnect. Oh,well, live and learn. Many thanks for your input.

     

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    On 2/11/2021 at 2:42 AM, gmgraves said:

    No problem. I just wish I could use the coax or optical connection for I2S. It would allow me to eliminate an HDMI switch and connect the I2S through another interconnect. Oh,well, live and learn. Many thanks for your input.

     

    Does'nt work for me either over Coax

    On 2/10/2021 at 10:21 PM, jxo said:

    Some of the listings for these boxes refer to Board B versions implying an update.  Thanks for all your work on this George.

    This is what board A and B refer to https://www.aliexpress.com/i/1005001274719662.html?spm=a219c.12057483.1000001.8.1fd07081rjiHLX

     

    so it seems boxes with board A don't have I2s over HDMI

     

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    On 2/11/2021 at 2:42 AM, gmgraves said:

    No problem. I just wish I could use the coax or optical connection for I2S. It would allow me to eliminate an HDMI switch and connect the I2S through another interconnect. Oh,well, live and learn. Many thanks for your input.

     

     

    Buyer beware, after lots of time and effort I am sending the box back, the one I have just does not work on any output

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    I've followed this thread with great interest.

     

    I have an Esoteric DV-50S which has an HDMI output and a Gustard x20 Pro DAC which accepts I2S input but I can't seem to find any information confirming if the DV-50S does pass DSD through the HDMI port?

     

    Can anyone confirm if Esoteric does pass DSD through their HDMI output?

     

    Cheers, 

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    1 hour ago, Wheat King said:

    I've followed this thread with great interest.

     

    I have an Esoteric DV-50S which has an HDMI output and a Gustard x20 Pro DAC which accepts I2S input but I can't seem to find any information confirming if the DV-50S does pass DSD through the HDMI port?

     

    Can anyone confirm if Esoteric does pass DSD through their HDMI output?

     

    Cheers, 

    Japanese CD/SACD player products that adopted HDMI for connection to receivers are transmitting DSD over the HDMI connector. The Sony's XA5400 player has that same feature as the Esoteric device and the o/p can be switched between multichannel or stereo. I have not found the standard for mapping of the DSD streams over the wires of HDMI. But it seems it is standardized among Japanese manufacturers. Then, by using the Chinese box (which is at the center of these postings) one can convert this DSD over HDMI to DSD over HDMI-IIS. As said in earlier posts, the HDMI-IIS can have several variants (not standardized) hence the DAC needs to have a way to reconfigure its input streams (over the HDMI-IIS connector) to match the incoming bitstreams. 

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    @hgaggioni

     

    Thanks for that.

     

    My DV-50S is now 17 years old but is still going strong. I've recently by-passed the internal DAC (when playing CDs) by running coax into my external DAC (Gustard x20 Pro). I was pleasantly surprised to discover just how close the two are, in terms of sound quality. I have no doubt that I would hear a greater difference if I tried a higher level DAC (like a Denafrips Pontus).  

     

    It will be interesting to compare the DV-50S' internal SACD playback against the DSD processing capabilities of the Gustard (a sub $1,000 DAC). 

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    On 2/12/2021 at 8:56 AM, hgaggioni said:

    ... by using the Chinese box (which is at the center of these postings) one can convert this DSD over HDMI to DSD over HDMI-IIS. As said in earlier posts, the HDMI-IIS can have several variants (not standardized) hence the DAC needs to have a way to reconfigure its input streams (over the HDMI-IIS connector) to match the incoming bitstreams. 

    All this work is much appreciated.   I am still unclear whether one MUST use an I2S (IIS) capable DAC in order to utilize the ChiFi converter box to get the best SACD playback SQ.   @hgaggioni reported that he was able to send DSD signals to his Pontus over coax, optical and HDMI/I2s.   Is DSD over coax and optical still using an I2S protocol necessitating the use of an I2S DAC?   If that is non-sensical, apologies.  The only necessary I2S pieces of this data flow maybe the output from the player over hdmi and the input of the converter box and the hdmi output of the converter box.   If so, this box would work similar to the DBOB with the additional digital output option of HDMI (I2S?).   DBOB site says: 

    "External DAC must accept DSD via the DoP protocol [DSD over PCM] through S/PDIF Coax (preferable) or Toslink inputs."  I.E., I2S DACs are not necessary.

     

    Is the converter box sending DSD via different protocols depending on the output option used?  DoP via coax and optical and DSD via another protocol (some references out there to "raw" DSD), I2S or otherwise, on the HDMI output?  If they are indeed different, is one better or preferred?   As GeerFab "prefers" coax?

    I just want to know which DACs to start putting on the short list to purchase-- in addition to the Pontus.   If I2S is strictly needed, the list gets very short.

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    1 hour ago, jxo said:

    All this work is much appreciated.   I am still unclear whether one MUST use an I2S (IIS) capable DAC in order to utilize the ChiFi converter box to get the best SACD playback SQ.   @hgaggioni reported that he was able to send DSD signals to his Pontus over coax, optical and HDMI/I2s.   Is DSD over coax and optical still using an I2S protocol necessitating the use of an I2S DAC?   If that is non-sensical, apologies.  The only necessary I2S pieces of this data flow maybe the output from the player over hdmi and the input of the converter box and the hdmi output of the converter box.   If so, this box would work similar to the DBOB with the additional digital output option of HDMI (I2S?).   DBOB site says: 

    "External DAC must accept DSD via the DoP protocol [DSD over PCM] through S/PDIF Coax (preferable) or Toslink inputs."  I.E., I2S DACs are not necessary.

     

    Is the converter box sending DSD via different protocols depending on the output option used?  DoP via coax and optical and DSD via another protocol (some references out there to "raw" DSD), I2S or otherwise, on the HDMI output?  If they are indeed different, is one better or preferred?   As GeerFab "prefers" coax?

    I just want to know which DACs to start putting on the short list to purchase-- in addition to the Pontus.   If I2S is strictly needed, the list gets very short.

    Hello Jim,

    I guess we are all guessing the signal formats since we do not have detail documentation on the ChiFi box. 

    If you read the Pontus II user manual, it indicates that DSD 2.8284MHz (i.e., DSD64 or 1X) is accepted in all inputs :

    Supported Format (DSD) 2.8224MHz(DSD1X) All Input

                                              5.6448MHz(DSD2X), 11.288MHz(DSD4X) USB & I2S Only

    The output from my Sony XA5400 is DSD muxed into the HDMI format. The conversion box simply extracts the DSD (raw data) from the HDMI mix and converts it into IIS format over different wiring - but still inside the HDMI physical interface. I have no idea if the box does DoP for output over SPDIF or Toslink. I suspect no. This is because the Pontus still uses DSD raw for higher speeds (2X, 4X) over HDMI-IIS and USB and it does not mention the use of DoP . If the box were using DoP for SPDIF/Toslink and DSD raw for IIS I would not be able to listen to SPDIF/Toslink outputs, since I think Pontus does not support DoP. 

    I assume, therefore, that the box is sending DSD raw over all outputs (IIS, SPDIF and Toslink). When listening to the 3 outputs the sound is very close (not careful listening). The issue is then that you may have SPDIF/Toslink transmitted DSD from the box but still cannot be played from a DAC that uses DoP in their SPDIF/Toslink inputs.

    Hence, the decision is not for a DAC that supports (or not IIS) but for a DAC that supports DSD raw across all types of interfaces (such as the Denafrips DACs for example).

    I apologize if I am clouding the topic even more...:(

    Hugo  

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    14 hours ago, hgaggioni said:

    ...I think Pontus does not support DoP. 

    I assume, therefore, that the box is sending DSD raw over all outputs ...

    Hence, the decision is not for a DAC that supports (or not IIS) but for a DAC that supports DSD raw across all types of interfaces (such as the Denafrips DACs for example).

    I apologize if I am clouding the topic even more...:(

    Hugo  

    Hugo:  thanks much.  To the contrary, clouds are lifting.  You confirmed some of my instincts (as technically un-based as they are).  It would also imply that the ChiFi box is outputting differently from the GeerFab DBOB.  Important to get clarity here otherwise folks may be making some expensive mistakes in choosing equipment to solve this SACD playback conundrum.    I have some older DACs that support various DSD formats; curious which ones will work and those that won't with the mystery Chinese puzzle box that came last week.   But I am definitely looking at these Denafrips DACs based on the trusted feedback here.   thanks again,

    Jim

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    In case anyone is interested for comparison sake.   Design detail of the D.BOB:

     

    "The D.BOB design is centered around two chips made by Lattice Semiconductor. The Sil9533 Port Processor is the main HDMI decoder chip, which extracts PCM audio data from the HDMI datastream and sends it out via S/PDIF [not HDMI or USB]. The HDMI pass-through functions are also supported by this chip. But, the Sil9533 does not support DSD.  [Instead,] the DSD datastream is extracted from HDMI, and encoded as DoP, by a Lattice LCMX02-1200HC Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)."

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    1 hour ago, jxo said:

    In case anyone is interested for comparison sake.   Design detail of the D.BOB:

     

    "The D.BOB design is centered around two chips made by Lattice Semiconductor. The Sil9533 Port Processor is the main HDMI decoder chip, which extracts PCM audio data from the HDMI datastream and sends it out via S/PDIF [not HDMI or USB]. The HDMI pass-through functions are also supported by this chip. But, the Sil9533 does not support DSD.  [Instead,] the DSD datastream is extracted from HDMI, and encoded as DoP, by a Lattice LCMX02-1200HC Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)."

    I am not sure that I would word this the way it is.  The Sil9533 does support DSD but not via I2S.  Its DSD output mode is an alternative to the I2S output mode.

    Quote

    Audio Output Block The Audio Output block supports audio extraction from the received HDMI/MHL streams. The extracted audio is 8-channel I2 S, 6-channel DSD, or S/PDIF audio. The audio port extraction includes:

    - I2S, eight channels: PCM, up to eight channels, HBR, such as Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio 

    - DSD, six channels 

    - S/PDIF, IEC 60958: PCM, two channels

    - Compressed bitstream: Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Digital Surround EX DTS, DTS ES......

     

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    2 hours ago, Kal Rubinson said:

    I am not sure that I would word this the way it is.  The Sil9533 does support DSD but not via I2S.  Its DSD output mode is an alternative to the I2S output mode.

     

    You should know!   I recall a review of this D.BOB box a few months back in my favorite mag.    thanks much

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    I'm curious as to how the Oppo used as streamer endpoint out over HDMI/I2S sounds to the Pontus...should our next generation endpoints use HDMI/I2S instead of USB?

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    9 minutes ago, davide256 said:

    I'm curious as to how the Oppo used as streamer endpoint out over HDMI/I2S sounds to the Pontus...should our next generation endpoints use HDMI/I2S instead of USB?

    AFAIK, the Oppo will output (or input) HDMI but not I2S.

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    2 hours ago, Kal Rubinson said:

    AFAIK, the Oppo will output (or input) HDMI but not I2S.

    The point of this article is that it can be converted between the two with an intermediate device, hence why the Pontus works with the OP’s Oppo 205 HDMI output. The Oppo’s aren’t bad as UPNP endpoints and I’m finding the HDMI output of a 103 converted to toslink superior to toslink directly out from same device, had started me wondering about USB vs HDMI to I2S conversion

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    I just buy another version Converter Box which also included Coaxial DoP output.

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    On 1/6/2021 at 1:05 PM, Douglasmaurer said:

    Wow! What a Great article! As an Oppo 205 owner and someone with many many hundreds of SACDs, I found this very interesting! May have to investigate the denafrips dacs (always have salivated at the reviews of them) to try this out!

    Any similar solutions to extract the multichannel layer off of the SACDs to a higher quality multichannel DAC (without some semi-elaborate process of ripping them/iso files)? I enjoy both 2 channel and the multichannel sacds (esp for classical music). 
    thanks!

    Doug

    I am told that one can do this with a Meridian HD621 or a UHD722.  

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    So a bit of a follow up here.........

     

    I previously was using the cheap Chinese HDMI to I2S converter box between my OPPO 205 and Topping D90 MQA

    After internally matching I2S settings via the D90's Menu I was able to pass DSD externally via the OPPO's HDMI and have the Topping D90 receive it via it's I2S (HDMI) input.

    I had "DSD 2.8MHz" showing on the D90's screen and my SACD's sounded great.

     

    I then bought a Gustard X26PRO MQA and ran into an issue.

    Apparently the Gustard's I2S input works in "slave mode" which means potential compatibilty issues with my Chinese converter.

    This was the case as not only were channels reversed ( easily fixable by swapping analog out cables around ) but there was some low level crackling accompanying the music which I could not solve.

     

    Now the good news..........

     

    There is ANOTHER slightly more expensive Chinese converter box that looks identical to mine which apparently also supports DOP64 via it's coax output!!!!

     

    I could have just bought it the first time round but thought all boxes were the same and went with the cheapest.

    Oh well.......now I know the reason that some cost more!!!!

     

    At the end of the day though.........around AUD$150 sure beats USD$1K for a Geerfab D.BOB!!!!!!!

     

    Anyway, I will be ordering one shortly and will report back.

     

    Cheers Guys

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    Hi Guys,

     

    So my converter box turned up and works perfectly.

    DSD from OPPO 205 HDMI out >> Converter box HDMI in.

    Then Converter box SPDIF Coax out >> Gustard X26PRO SPDIF Coax in using DoP 64.

    Gustard DAC display shows 2.82Mhz.

     

    Cheers

     

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    Guest Gerry E.

    Posted

    On 4/30/2021 at 11:34 PM, linger63 said:

    So my converter box turned up and works perfectly.

    DSD from OPPO 205 HDMI out >> Converter box HDMI in.

    Then Converter box SPDIF Coax out >> Gustard X26PRO SPDIF Coax in using DoP 64.

    Gustard DAC display shows 2.82Mhz.

     

    Thanks for posting this Linger63!  Also a thanks to George who wrote the article and to everyone else who commented.  I'm a new member here but a longtime Audio Asylum member.  I just sold my Marantz SA11-S3 CD/SACD player so I'm starting from scratch.

     

    I was ready to plunk down $800 (on sale on AudioGon) for a GeerFab D.BOB when I came across George's article.  I view this as a real game changer!  The way I see it, the money I'm saving buying the "black box" instead of the D.BOB can be put towards a better DAC!  Speaking of which, the other day I ordered what I assume to be the same "black box" as Linger63.  It cost a little over $100 USD but outputs DSD64 via DOP through Coaxial and Toslink.  It's good to know this works too.

     

    I also purchased a Sony UBP-X800M2 digital player for $299 USD.  It's one step down from Sony's TOTL $599 ES model.  However it weighs almost as much, both are in the 8 pound range, and it has a separate audio-only HDMI output.  It should be better than the really cheap Sony players that weigh less than 2 pounds.

     

    I'm considering four DACs at this point and all should work well with the "black box".  The Gustard X26 Pro, Denafrips Pontus II, Denafrips Venus II and the Kitstune Holo Spring 3 KTE.  The latter should be available later this month. 

     

    Gerry                

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    A new Pontus DAC arrived several days ago as did one of those I2S converter boxes off EBay.  Dusted off my old Oppo 95.   Ran the second hdmi out to the converter then from there to the I2S input of the Pontus.  Bingo, it worked.  Cold and without any break in at all, sounds very nice.   Will be comparing it in more depth to my old ModWright Sony SACD player (totally tricked out by Dan) but on its third laser.   

     

    Thanks George, this is a fabulous development.  Now I will have to build out the server and run Roon to the Pontus as well.

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    On 5/17/2021 at 6:55 AM, jxo said:

    A new Pontus DAC arrived several days ago as did one of those I2S converter boxes off EBay.  Dusted off my old Oppo 95.   Ran the second hdmi out to the converter then from there to the I2S input of the Pontus.  Bingo, it worked.  Cold and without any break in at all, sounds very nice.   Will be comparing it in more depth to my old ModWright Sony SACD player (totally tricked out by Dan) but on its third laser.   

     

    Thanks George, this is a fabulous development.  Now I will have to build out the server and run Roon to the Pontus as well.

    Hi, I'm try to setup my Oppo 205 with the Pontus using the I2s input. However whats the 'default Denafrips’ configuration' for the pin out for the connection. Thanks

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