Have you used a Matrix to go from USB to II2s?
Thats what I currently do to get to my Jr, but im hearing the USB input on MKII is next level and better than the Matrix>II2s combo
I personally use a Kitsune KTE SU-2 vs a Matrix when I want to use I2S. I tried a Matrix and didn’t think it sounded as good as the SU-2. YMMV.
But, I’ve settled on USB with no DDC conversion. I really like the way it sounds.
Using the galvanic isolated USB port enabled us to get unbelievable sound from this set up:
MAC/Qobuz/Roon/BACCH4Mac Intro*/USB/Regen LPS/MKII DAC…
No additional streamer needed, Roon is the streamer.
When we removed our iFi Zen stream from the chain and went USB direct it sounded better.
So @vkennedy61 I’m trying to understand your setup. I’m interested in getting rid of my Lumin T2 streamer+DAC and replace with something else feeding the DS DAC.
So if I were to use the ultra Rendu, it’d be Roon → Rendu → (USB) → DS DAC?
And the Rendu can do DSD 256 via USB? And I guess the DS DAC sores that too.
Any comments on the i2s va USB argument? Paul seems to be very much in the i2s camp.
For the DS Mk I the I2S argument is valid but apparently with the Mk II not important to most.
Sure, here you go:
Fiber Internet → Ubiquiti Dream Machine SE → Fiber → Ubiquiti Switch Enterprise 48 PoE → Fiber → Ubiquiti Switch Enterprise 8 PoE → Fiber → Sonore Signature Rendu SE → USB → DS MKII
You must be very regular with all that Fiber in your diet.
You have an enviable system layout for streaming, wow.
What would you recommend for those of us that we’re hoping to connect the AL to MK2 via i2s for DSD256 via NAS or streaming. Of course a unit that has galvanic isolation, basically next best thing to the AL.
I understand that there are a lot of choices for USB.
I’m curious as to why, after the gateway, there are multiple switches and fiber to get to the Sonore?
I’m obviously not @vkennedy61 but this is common set-up.
I have a bunch of stuff in my audio system that needs ethernet. I have a “wiring closet” where my “internet pipe” comes into the router, that goes to a switch, that switch has a port that leaves the wiring closet and is connected via in-wall ethernet to a switch in my “audio rack” and that second switch fans out to all the gear that wants access to “Internet” in my audio system. I just don’t have fiber in my walls. Although, I do use an ethernet switch which is PoE so the switch in my audio rack isn’t plugged into any AC shared by the playback gear. In fact, the switch in my audio rack is powered by the switch in the wiring closet which is powered by a UPS so my network “audio network” stays up even when there is a power outage. I just need to figure out how to power the BHK300’s during a power outage and I’d be golden 
If I had fiber in my walls my set-up would be exactly what vkenndy61 has.
Hi - does this help?
Fiber Internet → Ubiquiti Dream Machine SE (Core network in basement) → Fiber → Ubiquiti Switch Enterprise 48 PoE (Core network in basement) → Fiber → Ubiquiti Switch Enterprise 8 PoE (Living Room Switch services all of the ethernet in our media cabinet) → Fiber → Sonore Signature Rendu SE → USB → DS MKII
There are two other fiber runs that also both terminate with Ubiquiti Switch Enterprise 8 PoE’s. One is in my office and the other is in my wife’s studio. Off of both of these are compute, Sonore xxRendu’s, and Access Points.
Yes, I’ve been asked to provide a sample for a Wikipedia posting as an example of “ideal”.
My brain can’t process all the ubiquitous Ubiquity in that signal Path. My eyes start getting googly. 
It isn’t really anything special. I just substituted fiber for traditional ethernet cables because I could. All of the network components I listed have SFP slots which lets you choose either fiber or copper. I could have easily run copper ethernet all the way to the last switch where I would have done the conversion to fiber for the input to the Rendu via a fiber SFP module. But, I figured since I was already pulling “something” I’d use fiber. The plus with fiber it’s really quiet and eliminates any real or imagined issues with jitter or interference.
My geeking doesn’t start/stop with audio. I can’t help myself.
Following your thoughts…
As you know on march I’ll work on my room: moving gear, treatments symmetric, dedicated lines, and so on.
I also planned to add a dedicated internet line, fiber (FTTH). I already have one, for family needs and after pandemic lockdown also smart working.
My internet service provider provides the “mandatory” router (by contract agreement) so I can only choose between:
- fritzbox! 7530 (it means that before the router, I need a converter little box fiber to ethernet that is the standard configuration suggested)
- fritzbox! 5530 (it means that a fiber wire from the external of the house could be connected directly to the SFP port of the router itself)
I’m asking for the second one, with a little extra cost, as usual! Never been able to understand fiber: is there a possibility to create short patch cables like usually used to have for ethernet? My electrician can “crimp” (terminating) RJ45 sockets/connectors but he is old style and he cannot work on fiber. The tech people from internet provider can manage of course this things, but they will be here just one time during installation and first activation, one shot, then I have to design ex ante my scheme and let them apply (no flexibility for future upgrades, changes or rethinking).
My doubt: I don’t like the idea to have the main fiber cable (from external) that dangerously comes out from the wall to the router port, detachable only from the router side. Risk of damage and future different location of the rack might require to involve again tech people of the internet provider (time, cost, etc).
Suggestions? You “probably” know these things better than me.
To complete the picture, from the router ports I’ll go via ethernet:
- one RJ45 to the Innuos PhoenixNET > Innuos Statement (one day also AirLens, if ever…)
- one RJ45 to a MacMini in the equation just to manage other than audio things (downloading firmware upgrades, managing settings of the streamer, in future if needed managing a NAS, playing DVDs of concerts and things like these)
- one RJ45 with an adaptor to an iPad, I’ll use seating in my sweetspot as remote controller of the system (running Sense App or Roon) and of course to navigate this forum while I’m listening to music. Why a cable to the iPad? Because I don’t want to enable any wifi signal from the router, a radical no wifi in the room choice so to speak.
TIA
Fiber comes pre-terminated just like ethernet cables. You can buy lengths as short as .2m and as long as 300M.
The cable ends themselves are a tension style clip. You just squeeze it to remove the connector. Not much different in concept then a traditional ethernet cable.
Have you purchased an audiophile ethernet switch? I can’t remember if you have gone down that path yet.
Thanks Vince.
I’m going to discuss that possibility with the internet provider, I need only a patch-like fiber cable from the wall to the router on the rack (less than 3 feet).
The problem is that the internet provider provides a little box wall mounted (I suppose of its own property/technology to manage/control the band by contract) without a SFP module available AND the fiber cable coming from this little box is not detachable, there no way to plug/unplug it.
While on the router side there would be a SPF module and this is good enough for my purpose. This is the router:
I know I’ll have to have a bad discussion ahead with them, they do not know the meaning of the word “mental flexibility”!
I’m reading on Small Green Computer website that they recommend for audio purposes a particular technology: “Gigabit SFP modules that work with OM1 (62.5/125 µm multi-mode) type multi-mode fiber with LC connectors” that I really do not know and I don’t know if the Fritzbox! 5530 above mentioned is compliant:
There is no better person to ask help than Vince on the planet! Thank you.
This is my beloved companion since last August when I was using the ZENith MK 3 and it works even better now with the Statement:
Fiber is so easy to run outside the walls. The whole network need not be fiber. Just doing the last leg to the audio gear brings benefits.
But you of all people know that.
I was running fiber for awhile and now I am not. I don’t miss it. But it is easy enough to put back in place. My house is completely wired for Ethernet. Normally 2 circuits in every room. But who cares?