Browns. Curious, if you don’t require the bridge2 to listen to that double cream espresso Direct Stream magic, why are you getting one?
As a dedicated server/player, costing nearly 3 times as much as the Bridge, i suspect your Innuos sounds better anyway! You may be intereated in Darko’s videos about the DS and Innous. There may be some tidbits in there if you are chosing between the bridgeII and Innuos.
I cant figure out why both would be needed…but my money would be on the Innuos.
I agree with @tj-sully. My suggestion would be return the Bridge II and run the Innous directly to the DS DAC via USB. If album art is not a must for you, the Bridge II is unnecessary in your streaming setup. I would then use the money saved from the Bridge II and invest in a Matrix X-SPDIF 2 and convert that USB to i2S and use that input on the DS DAC. That is what I, and many others have done with a marked SQ improvement.
Thanks very much. I think my newbie-ness has been part of the problem. I’m listening now with a usb between the Innuous and the DS and with only the Innuous connected by Ethernet to the router. Sound is good and I just hope I don’t hear pops and ticks like before.
If all is good, I’ll probably follow your advice and return the bridge(s). There’s a second one arriving tomorrow because we thought there was a defect in the first. I won’t even take that out of the box. I assume PS Audio will send me a plate or cover—whatever goes over the opening for the bridge—if I return the bridge. I infer that the sound using usb is as good as using ethernet with the bridge.
I don’t quite understand the Matrix x. Newbie-ness again. What does it do and is it hard for someone like me to connect, setup and operate? If it improves the sound, I’m interested so long as it doesn’t result in more complications. Fortunately, PS Audio has great customer support but not so sure about Matrix.
No worries on the Bridge slot cover, just let the support team know you’d like to return the Bridge II(s) and that you’ll need the slot cover. They’ll be able to take care of you on both counts.
As for the Matrix, others will be able to chime in with more info, though I can give a quick rundown. Basically, you plug USB into it, and it converts it to the same I2S format that your DirectStream uses. So instead of plugging directly from the Innuos via USB into your DS, you would instead plug USB from the Innuos into the Matrix, which converts it and outputs it via I2S. Then you would take that I2S signal out of the Matrix and plug it into the I2S input on the DS.
The Matrix X-SPDIF 2 is a very solidly built and designed device - it takes in USB, reclocks the data and sends output I2S, AES3, S/PDIF and TOSLink. To add it to your system you only need to add which ever of those output cables you want and move your USB cable from the DS to the Matrix.
As another tweaking opportunity you can also use an (optional) external power supply for the Matrix.
nice work on figuring it out Brownsf! Happy to chime in, and thankfully it was helpful!
I’ve heard good things about the Innuos streamer. I bet it sounds lovely with the DS. Good choice!
Sully
ps. if you’re using the stock Ethernet cable, i’d suggest picking up an AudioQuest or other manufacturers $100 ethernet cable. I was quite shocked at the change in sound when I switched out my chintzy stock ethernet cable
Thanks again. I’m using Wireworld Starlight ethernet cable and Wireworld Platinum usb and interconnects (with Audio Research amp, preamand phono stage and KEF Reference 5 speakers.). Just now finding time for some listening. Appreciate all the help provided by PS Audio and enthusiasts on this board!
