Audioquest HDMI Cable For I2S - eARC or regular?

Cables
1

I’m looking at cables for I2S and looking at Audioquest cables. They offer eARC and regular HDMI cables, and I can’t understand the difference between the two from reading materials on their website.

Can someone please let me know if I want the eARC or regular HDMI cable?

Thanks.

2

Not the eARC.

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3

Thanks for your reply.

Can you say more about what the differences are please?

4

There is a post on Dragon48:

Post 20 on there was some discussions on the difference between eArc and Arc.

5

Got it thanks.

I’m trying a Thunderbird USB sent from the Cable Company and wanted to double check.

6

I have been told that eARC does not work with I2S. You may want to clarify that with PS Audio but I’ve had many from AQ told me it does not.

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But it is more expensive so we can see the attraction.

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8

Since eArc allows you to separate out the digital audio from the video signal, my guess is an eArc cable does not have video lines connected.

9

eARC stands for Enhanced Audio Return Channel, a feature of HDMI 2.1 that allows for higher quality audio transmission from a TV to a soundbar or AV receiver:

  • Improved bandwidth: eARC has a higher bandwidth than HDMI ARC, which allows for higher quality surround sound technologies.
  • Supports high-bitrate audio formats: eARC supports audio formats up to 192 kHz, 24-bit, and uncompressed 5.1 and 7.1.
  • Backward-compatible: eARC is backward-compatible with ARC.
  • Automatic processor delay correction: eARC can automatically correct processor delays to ensure audio and video match.
  • Lip sync correction: eARC can correct lip sync.

To get the best audio quality, all components in your system must be eARC-compatible. If any component is only ARC-compatible, your bandwidth may be limited by that device.

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10

Thank you all for taking the time to answer my question. I understand now that the eARC versions of Audioquest HDMI cables will not work with I2S.

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11

I’m confused. I just ordered an AQ Vodka 48 HDMI cable for use with my directstream dac MK1. Photos of the cable package doesn’t say anything about eARC on the front, but on the back of the packaging it does talk about eARC. Can anyone tell me if this is a cable that will work as an i2s connection or should I hurry up and cancel my order?

12

Can you upload a screenshot of the webpage?

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Thanks Tom! What do you think?

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Well, it seems that any description of the Vodka 48K HDMI cable depicts eARC.

“Taking performance even further, all 19 conductors, comprising A/V and eARC signals, all Ground-Reference drains, and control and power conductors, are properly controlled for the most efficient dissipation of Radio-Frequency Noise.”

So based on that and the post right before yours, the Vodka is indeed eARC and is not compatible with i2S.