Carlo said I have a chance to try an Empirical Off-Ramp 5 on my Mac Mini and DS.Does the OR5 work via I2s with my Ds and… is it worthy?
It works but with the limitation of not being able to pass anything greater than 24/192 PCM and no DSD at all.
It works but with the limitation of not being able to pass anything greater than 24/192 PCM and no DSD at all.
I just tested a Raspberry Pi 2 with Volumio and USB output to the DS: works fine for 192 and DSD
am waiting for an hdmi breakout board to test I2S output, will let you know if I succeed!
Carlo said I have a chance to try an Empirical Off-Ramp 5 on my Mac Mini and DS.Does the OR5 work via I2s with my Ds and… is it worthy?
I used one a long time ago with the PWD, and found it more or less equivalent to the bridge for a lot more $$$, so you’re better off waiting for Bridge II in my opinion.
‘Meaningful’ review for the Audiobyte Hydra-Z USB Bridge 
This unit may provide I2s to your DS. I feed the H-Z (via USB) from the Aries.
Google says:
Audiobyte Hydra Z: Whoever hears high-resolution files via USB, comes to the Hydra Z hardly around. Universal synchronized and it filters the digital data stream via USB and simply makes music close to the live experience of it. Better you can really have a device that is fed only zeros and ones, now do not say.
http://www.hifistatement.net/tests/item/1457-audiobyte-black-dragon-und-hydra-z
Linvincible said I just tested a Raspberry Pi 2 with Volumio and USB output to the DS: works fine for 192 and DSDam waiting for an hdmi breakout board to test I2S output, will let you know if I succeed!
I’d like to know how that’s going for you.
Are you going to be programming the I2S yourself, or has someone already developed that for the Pi 2?
@Linvincible i’m looking forward to your findings. In my experience with RPI1 (512MB version) with HifiBerry Digi the SQ was easily surpassed by the Bridge SQ.
Maybe better PSU for RPI would help a bit, but the difference was quite big so I did not even bothered to buy linear PSU for RPI.
My pink faun I2S card arrived yesterday - the MCH version. It would not fit in my old CAPS 2.0 and I did not have a SATA power cable available in my MCH server, so I ended up replacing my USB card on my CAPS 3.0 with the Pink Faun. Downside is I can now not do a real time comparison between USB / I2S source switching inputs. Much to my relieve the install was a breeze. Worked out of the box. Quick brief impressions. Sound is smoother and more polite. We all have that recording where a female vocal if just a bit edgy ad grainy (Eva Cassidy - Autumn Leaves for me), and loo and behold, Eva’s voice sounds just fine with the I2S now. However, as usual, something had to give, and there appears to be bit less “attack” and dynamics than what I was used to. Listened only briefly and more listening required to make a decision and determine a preference.
edorr said However, as usual, something had to give, and there appears to be bit less "attack" and dynamics than what I was used to. Listened only briefly and more listening required to make a decision and determine a preference.Great to hear you got it working. For me the I2S bridge my first one needed at least 200Hours to settle. The big difference can be made with the I2S cable. Important is the lenght of the cable it is 1 meter for a maximum recommended. Most cables I tested had insufficiënt attack and dynamics as you mentioned.
An other thing is that the PWD had far more attack and dynamics with the I2S bridge than the DS. With the PWD I preffered my dedicated PC with the I2S bridge above Pink Fauns audio streamer, but with the DS it was the audio streamer above the PC. But every time Pink Fauns I2S cable made the biggest difference. After some serious listening time and comparing I2S with USB with several cables. I think USB is more easy for the audio signal because of the asynchronic clock. USB is good with many cables and the difference between the cables is pretty small. At least in comparison with I2S cables and different lenghts. But when the I2S setup is right than you will be shocked what a difference it can make.
I have to mention it again and there’s still no proffit in it for me, but the new AV-STREAMER with the linear powersupply it is so clean and so fast. With this specs the I2S protocol is the protocol to beat.
ted_b said Erik,Hi. I agree…but ARC comes first. (ARC = actual room correction
). The work that Jeff Hedback did on my room (which was pretty darn good to begin with, prior to his project) was astounding (floating front wall, side and ceiling diffuser HAR slats and cloud, etc). I feel like I’d love to try DRC if only because I’d ask so little of it, the final details. Sure wish it wasn’t largely (except for Miska’s stuff) PCM only…but oh well. Again, who cares what the format is…as long as the music sings.
Edit: maybe a better acronym is PRC, physical room correction…since DRC is “actual” too.
I totally missed this earlier!
Ted, I’ve said this before, I don’t trust any reviewer that doesn’t have some sort of room correction/treatment. It’s even more awesome that yours is professionally guided and not just haphazardly deployed.
Too many people believe in magic stones, electromagnetic this and ion that - but come up with a blank look when I ask about room treatments.
It boggles the mind that room treatment isn’t a booming market and right up there with sources and speakers as the top improvements/changes one can make to their listening setup.
However, I do see a growing market of quality, well thought out and tested diffusers. Slowly but surely the rest of the world might catch up with those of us in the know.
wijnand saidedorr said However, as usual, something had to give, and there appears to be bit less "attack" and dynamics than what I was used to. Listened only briefly and more listening required to make a decision and determine a preference.Great to hear you got it working. For me the I2S bridge my first one needed at least 200Hours to settle. The big difference can be made with the I2S cable. Important is the lenght of the cable it is 1 meter for a maximum recommended. Most cables I tested had insufficiënt attack and dynamics as you mentioned.
An other thing is that the PWD had far more attack and dynamics with the I2S bridge than the DS. With the PWD I preffered my dedicated PC with the I2S bridge above Pink Fauns audio streamer, but with the DS it was the audio streamer above the PC. But every time Pink Fauns I2S cable made the biggest difference. After some serious listening time and comparing I2S with USB with several cables. I think USB is more easy for the audio signal because of the asynchronic clock. USB is good with many cables and the difference between the cables is pretty small. At least in comparison with I2S cables and different lenghts. But when the I2S setup is right than you will be shocked what a difference it can make.
I have to mention it again and there’s still no proffit in it for me, but the new AV-STREAMER with the linear powersupply it is so clean and so fast. With this specs the I2S protocol is the protocol to beat.
If the I2S card beats the USB signal path I am planning on consolidating my two servers and getting the AV Streamer as well. I would consolidate 3 boxes (CAPS 3.0, Battery and MCH server) into 1, be cash-flow neutral (although I would take a big hit on my servers no doubt), and get a performance hike to boot. What’s not to like. Have not fiddled with HDMI cables yet. I’ll report what I am learning.
Great,
I’m very curious about your report!
With I2S cables and with HDMI cables there’s one thing to keep in mind. These cables are on it’s best in the very first hour you use theme. After 10 to 100 hours it’s sound will decrease and go up and down for the next few hundred hours. After 500 hours it wil reach for 95% the sound level of the very first hour.
So it could be misleading to compare these cables when they aint new or totaly broke in!
Enjoy!
Wijnand
Thanks for reminding me. I just fired up the CAPS 3.0 to pump some electrons through the HDMI cable I am currently using. I’m still a huge HDMI cable burn in sceptic, but nothing to lose. If and when I’m sold on the concept I’ll probably bite the bullet and get a top notch cable. I need three for MCH application…
edorr said I'm still a huge HDMI cable burn in sceptic, but nothing to lose.Don't worry, you will lose that.
Ok. Spend some more time with the card. 90% sure it is a keeper and I’ll get the audio streamer. Any HDMI cables you have tried that worked particularly well? I’m reluctant to fork out 3 x $400 for the Pink Faun cables, which are completely unknown and will be fully depreciated the day I take possession of them… Thenagain, may be I can negotiate a deal if I order all in one batch. Which cables have yout tried and how did they stack upo against the pink faun house cable?
Hi edorr,
I’ve tried a HDMI cable of Monster Cable 1meter, The Kimber HD19 2meter, The audioquest forest 1meter and a few stock cables 1 meter. These cables I heard besides the Pink Faun IL2 I2S on my own system. On an other system I heard the Pink Faun IL2, the PS Audio AC12 1meter. On the system at Pink Fauns I heard the Pink Faun IL2 (400€) The IL1 (800€) and the new 1200€ cable. We compared the IL2, with the AC12 and the Kimber and the Monster on this system.
For me the IL2 is the best cable for the money. The other two are slightly better, but the IL2 is a lot better than all the other cables.
If you can mannage it would be best if you take your Cap with you and make an appointment at Triple M Audio.
You mentioned the audio streamer which is for stereo only. I guess you ment the AV-Streamer.
Good luck!
Thanks. Although I’m Dutch, I live in the USA, so I can’t swing by the store. May be they’ll cut me a deal on three cables, and may be I can get one on trial before committing. Contemplating my next move. Which of the non pink faun cables was “the best of the rest” in your estimation?
Erik,
I am quite taken by the older Nordost Silver Screen HDMI cable I use with the Rendu. It is quite stiff is it’s only downfall. I mention it cuz it is likely OOP and maybe therefore cheap on the audio markets.
I have only compared it to standard stuff I have like BlueJeans and Monoprice.
That would be a long trip for an audition! I would rate the PS Audio AC12 on the second place. The other cables were all to thin or to harch or something else. The PS Audio is a great cable with a good soundstage, but it misses the magic the IL2 has.
ted_b said Erik,I am quite taken by the older Nordost Silver Screen HDMI cable I use with the Rendu. It is quite stiff is it’s only downfall. I mention it cuz it is likely OOP and maybe therefore cheap on the audio markets.
I have only compared it to standard stuff I have like BlueJeans and Monoprice.
Thanks Ted, my typical approach would be to pick up a few recommended cables like your Nordost used at steep discount, give them a try, keep what I like and resell what I don’t. I dread forking out > $1,000 for three unknown new cables with resale value 30% of what I paid for them…
I’ll be on the lookout for this cable and see how it stacks up.
Why resale? Start with one cable and ask if you can return it when it’s not a match.