the fog is clearing regarding my confusion about HDMI cable that have the capacity the conduct i2s signals from both the memory player and direct stream Dac. So there is no “special cable” that is unique to having special i2s capabilities. All you need is a recent version HDMI which has suitable, not elaborate, construction to be able carry and transmit this encoded i2s signal? Am I assuming correctly? Are the included ps audio cables suitable? Thanks
Welcome to the forum! You got it. Any normal HDMI cable will work and the PS Audio included cables are certainly fine. Not all cables sound identical, hence the debates about which is best. You will never get everybody to agree about that.
Many thanks; I was starting to freak out cause I couldn’t find any “i2s” cables
Thats not what I was told by someone at PSA. That the HDMI connector is not the same as the I2S and that I couldnt feed the DSDAC from the HDMI output of my OPPO. Better check this with PSA.
It is correct you cannot use an Oppo to send a signal to a DirectStream DAC.
However, PS Audio uses the physical format of an HDMI cable to transmit the I2S signal from the Memory Player to the DirectStream. The physical cable is HDMI. The digital format is I2S.
That is, it is the same cable as you would use for the Oppo but the Oppo does not send the correct I2S signal for the DAC to read.
The Vanity HD board for the Oppo 203 has just gone on sale (for expected delivery in late October). According to the write up, it will have I2S capability: http://www.jvbdigital.nl/jvb.asp?cur=2&level=sdi&page=title&title=968.
I’ve been using a Snake River RCA-RCA spdif “non coax” cable (Boomslang) between the 203 and DSD coax ports. All things being equal, is I2S a better sounding route?
Yes, as output from the PWT. I do not otherwise have experience with I2S outputs.
I did an experiment on the Memory Player by swapping out the included cable with an Audioquest Carbon HDMI cable which works great on my new TV. The included cable sounded much better to my ears. I plan on trying other, more expensive cables but the included I2S appears to be an excellent cable.
Did the AQ get burn-in time?
Lee Scoggins saidI did an experiment on the Memory Player by swapping out the included cable with an Audioquest Carbon HDMI cable which works great on my new TV. The included cable sounded much better to my ears. I plan on trying other, more expensive cables but the included I2S appears to be an excellent cable.
I’m not surprised the included HDMI cable sounds good. I would question why Paul, et al, would go to the trouble of designing top-flight components like the Memory Player and the Direct Stream and then include a connector cable that downgraded their performance…
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One reason would be cost. Another is that a lot of audiophiles like to choose their own cables. PSA recommends using after-market power cables but they still include a stock cable with all their equipment. That doesn’t mean that expensive cables always sound better, of course.
Are the PS Audio HDMI cables available for sale?
Thanks
No, the AC series is no longer available new anywhere. For a while one could buy (long lengths only) the AC-10 from PS Audio at a great price (I use these for my video system, one to my CXU from my DVR and one to the TV from the CXU) but that’s no longer the case. The AC-12 has not been available new for some time. Too bad. . .I’d be tempted to buy one or so. . that is an excellent cable to use between the DMP and DSD, no other cable has surpassed it in my system so far.
The cable now supplied with the DMP is not available for sale on the site, but if looking for one I would suggest contacting customer support, it’s possible that one could be purchased (?)
What did the 12’s go for? Btw, from what I can tell the model was PerfectWave I2S 12, vs. AC-12, which is the power cord designation.
I’ve seen them officially listed as AC10 I2S and AC12 I2S. I don’t remember what the 12 went for. . . maybe about 350 per 1 meter.
Here is the final page I remember of the AC10:
http://www.psaudio.com/products/ac10-hdmi-cable/
And the AC12:
Looks as if they were called a number of things over time . . . HDMI-10 and HDMI-12, I2S 10 and I2S 12, AC10 and AC12.
I found an old Music Direct product page. . . they were 459.99 . . . per meter I think. . . silver wire is expensive.
https://www.musicdirect.com/equipment/ps-audio-hdmi-12-i2s-cable
Interesting, thanks. It’s tempting to search for one.
I haven’t got that far yet replacing the generic BlueJean HDMI that I’m currently using with my new direct stream Memory Player . The BlueJean Cable was pretty inexpensive however quality built and certified to industry HDMI standards ,.No doubt all would improve even more with a better cable however as some know price has no bearing to when it comes too overall performance be it wire or components.
i have search around on occasion for a used PS Audio 12s however no luck yet though other options are available from other brands which I may end up buying .
I installed my DMP two weeks ago and am really enjoying it. Is it safe to consider a 1 meter PerfectWave 10 HDMI cable an upgrade over the black with silver connection HDMI cable that came with the DMP? I also have a 3 meter PW 10 HDMI and would like to know if it is useful for audio at that length (DSD to NuWave phono connection)or should I use it in an audio application due to the length?
According to Paul McGowan, the stock HDMI cable provided with the DMP sounds better than their AC-12 HDMI cable. It certainly bested my previous Kimber HD29. Your mileage may vary.