I2S interface

[GeorgeFlush]

Hello folks

 

I decided to buy an I2S capable DAC the next month (Holo Spring Level 3).

I'm looking for an interface to use the I2S connection of this DAC, my main concern is sound quality, my system is very revealing (DIY T2 with Mullard tubes and Stax SR-009 headphones).

 

What gives the best sound quality?

 

A noiseless PC (more or less 1400€) and a Singxer SU-1 (400€), or a Wyre4Sound MS-2 music server (3500€ with 2tb SSD)?

 

I'm not interested on usb or s/pdif solutions, no matter how good, I want to use the native format of the DAC (I2S)

[plissken]

Hello folks

 

I decided to buy an I2S capable DAC the next month (Holo Spring Level 3).

I'm looking for an interface to use the I2S connection of this DAC, my main concern is sound quality, my system is very revealing (DIY T2 with Mullard tubes and Stax SR-009 headphones).

 

What gives the best sound quality?

 

A noiseless PC (more or less 1400€) and a Singxer SU-1 (400€), or a Wyre4Sound MS-2 music server (3500€ with 2tb SSD)?

 

I'm not interested on usb or s/pdif solutions, no matter how good, I want to use the native format of the DAC (I2S)

 

I2S is a short haul interface meant for use on PCB's. You'll have to feed it with a long haul interface like S/PDif, TOSLink, USB, AES/EBU etc...

 

You are missing the fundamentals of how the I2S interface is meant to be used.

[plissken]

The Singxer SU-1 is a USB solution...

[sandyk]

I'm not interested on usb or s/pdif solutions, no matter how good, I want to use the native format of the DAC (I2S)

 

There are numerous discussions and some projects using i2s in DIY Audio forum .

See also Teleporter Digital Transfer Module

[bogi]

For example these 2 are cheap and very well received by audiophiles

Breeze Audio DU-U8 XMOS USB to SPDIF converter with Talema transformer and TCXOs

Gustard U12 USB Interface 8 Core XMOS chip

[4est]

The i2s is using an HDMI port, and therefore likely balanced i2s which is more robust and uses HDMI cabling.

I2S is a short haul interface meant for use on PCB's. You'll have to feed it with a long haul interface like S/PDif, TOSLink, USB, AES/EBU etc...

 

You are missing the fundamentals of how the I2S interface is meant to be used.

[plissken]

The i2s is using an HDMI port, and therefore likely balanced i2s which is more robust and uses HDMI cabling.

 

Correct. HDMI represents one of the long haul options for I2S. I2S is a serial interface for going between IC's on a PCB.

 

It's 30 year old standard now.

[4est]

You are contradicting yourself then or spoke too soon. Previously you stated i2s was for "the short haul" neglecting to consider that someone is using the more modern balanced variant.

 

It may be a 30 yr old standard, but single ended i2s is still the standard used internally in most DACs and the most direct connection possible despite the sensitive signals. When it is available, it is likely one of the best connections- source dependent of course.

Correct. HDMI represents one of the long haul options for I2S. I2S is a serial interface for going between IC's on a PCB.

 

It's 30 year old standard now.

[4est]

I use something akin to this and love it!

 

Hydra Z | Audiobyte

 

Hello folks

 

I decided to buy an I2S capable DAC the next month (Holo Spring Level 3).

I'm looking for an interface to use the I2S connection of this DAC, my main concern is sound quality, my system is very revealing (DIY T2 with Mullard tubes and Stax SR-009 headphones).

 

What gives the best sound quality?

 

A noiseless PC (more or less 1400€) and a Singxer SU-1 (400€), or a Wyre4Sound MS-2 music server (3500€ with 2tb SSD)?

 

I'm not interested on usb or s/pdif solutions, no matter how good, I want to use the native format of the DAC (I2S)

[Distinctive]

I am using the Rockna Wavedream Net transport, which can feed your specific DAC with DSD512 over I2s (LVDS, PS Audio format).

Wavedream NET | Rockna Audio

[plissken]

You are contradicting yourself then or spoke too soon. Previously you stated i2s was for "the short haul" neglecting to consider that someone is using the more modern balanced variant.

 

It may be a 30 yr old standard, but single ended i2s is still the standard used internally in most DACs and the most direct connection possible despite the sensitive signals. When it is available, it is likely one of the best connections- source dependent of course.

 

You still have to get the signal on the bus and what the poster linked to doesn't do very much for that.

 

I think recommending the HiFiBerry would be the way to go as a way of getting the shortest possible signal chain.

 

Is the variant you speak of an IEEE or ISO standard? What IC's implement it natively?

[dmormerod]

As I understand it implementations can vary. For example my AudioAlchemy DAC and Streamer offer an I2S connection between them and it's a DIN plug not HDMI.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ted_b]

The Singxer Su-1 (USB to I2S) is pretty good to my ears. I mention it (and will do more) in my Spring review.

[plissken]

As I understand it implementations can vary. For example my AudioAlchemy DAC and Streamer offer an I2S connection between them and it's a DIN plug not HDMI.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

What I'm asking is it an actual standard recognized by an official body like the IEEE or ISO?

[vortecjr]

Hello folks

 

I decided to buy an I2S capable DAC the next month (Holo Spring Level 3).

I'm looking for an interface to use the I2S connection of this DAC, my main concern is sound quality, my system is very revealing (DIY T2 with Mullard tubes and Stax SR-009 headphones).

 

What gives the best sound quality?

 

A noiseless PC (more or less 1400€) and a Singxer SU-1 (400€), or a Wyre4Sound MS-2 music server (3500€ with 2tb SSD)?

 

I'm not interested on usb or s/pdif solutions, no matter how good, I want to use the native format of the DAC (I2S)

 

The W4S music server is probably using a USB to i2s circuit to generate its LVDS i2s output.

[vortecjr]

I2S is a short haul interface meant for use on PCB's. You'll have to feed it with a long haul interface like S/PDif, TOSLink, USB, AES/EBU etc...

 

You are missing the fundamentals of how the I2S interface is meant to be used.

 

They did not describe the interface properly. The HDMI output on these devices is LVDS i2s which is meant to be used over a longer distance.

[vortecjr]

For example these 2 are cheap and very well received by audiophiles

Breeze Audio DU-U8 XMOS USB to SPDIF converter with Talema transformer and TCXOs

Gustard U12 USB Interface 8 Core XMOS chip

 

He wants to use the Holo Spring Level 3 DAC which supports the PS Audio specification. The Gustard uses a slightly different specification.

 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1h5PMUBkldkpt1rCnAR4ZHYGZNeCe-vwIFyKWYMZWsX0/edit#gid=853411704

[ted_b]

He wants to use the Holo Spring Level 3 DAC which supports the PS Audio specification. The Gustard uses a slightly different specification.

 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1h5PMUBkldkpt1rCnAR4ZHYGZNeCe-vwIFyKWYMZWsX0/edit#gid=853411704

 

Yes, and the Singxer has dip switches on its bottom panel to configure either.

[vortecjr]

The Audiobyte Hydra Z and the Rockna Wavedream are made by the people. In turn they are the people who consulted with PS Audio on the original Perfect Wave Transport. These should be nice options going into the Holo Spring Level 3 DAC.

[vortecjr]

You still have to get the signal on the bus and what the poster linked to doesn't do very much for that.

 

I think recommending the HiFiBerry would be the way to go as a way of getting the shortest possible signal chain.

 

Is the variant you speak of an IEEE or ISO standard? What IC's implement it natively?

 

I'm not against this for a simple system. However, it's not likely going to replace a Holo Spring Level 3 DAC. You might also want to ready this about the issues with the i2s output on the Pi:

 

The Raspberry Pi: Audio out through I2S | Dimdim's Blog

[vortecjr]

As I understand it implementations can vary. For example my AudioAlchemy DAC and Streamer offer an I2S connection between them and it's a DIN plug not HDMI.

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

The AudioAlchemy Streamer uses a Pi at its core. The i2s output is CMOS / TTL level and also not compatible with the Holo Spring Level 3 DAC.

 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1h5PMUBkldkpt1rCnAR4ZHYGZNeCe-vwIFyKWYMZWsX0/edit#gid=196170109

[plissken]

They did not describe the interface properly. The HDMI output on these devices is LVDS i2s which is meant to be used over a longer distance.

 

Is it an encapsulated protocol in this implementation?

[Distinctive]

I advice Holo to make a LVDS polarity switch feature like PS Audio will do on their next DS firmware update.

[vortecjr]

Is it an encapsulated protocol in this implementation?

 

It uses an IC to translate back and forth from 3V LVTTL levels (single-ended) to differential Bus LVDS (BLVDS) output levels.

[vortecjr]

I advice Holo to make a LVDS polarity switch feature like PS Audio will do on their next DS firmware update.

 

That helps with compatibility on their device. Sad they have to change the specification to accept incoming signals from those who don't play nice in the sand box.