I’m just at a lost on figuring out why three completely different cables of such high caliber sounds about the same in Phil’s system.
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Me too…
My initial thought regarding your comment was that the input is a fixed/constant element with regard to this conundrum and that the cables are arguably variables.
That said, given the theoretical (ne observable) impacts that cable construction and cable parts and pieces can have on the transmittal or generation of noise (if not the digital signal itself), it would seem to me that either the three cables are not materially different in their construction and/or functionality or, for purposes of this discussion, I2S as a means of transmitting AND receiving a digital signal is far less susceptible to the vagaries of other digital transmission formats, and the cables used with them.
Whatever…enjoy the music!
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They detected few Covid cases at cargo terminals in Shanghai Airport. This will make things even tougher. I have a FedEx shipment that has been stuck there for 10 days or so!
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Maybe this is explains it, from the Kitsune website :
- Two sets of independent HDMI-I2S input interfaces are provided, and each set of I2S has a four-way independent circuit, as opposed to standard LVDS chip, making I2S clock signals subject to lower interference and lower jitter. In addition, each group of I2S inputs can be configured with specific pinout configuration, making it compatible with most of the HDMI-I2S digital devices on the market.
I don’t have the foggiest what all this stuff means, but maybe it’s different from the DS, because I heard big differences between hdmi cables on the DS, while the differences are much smaller with the Holo.
Or maybe my hearing declined 
.
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No, your hearing is fine, and so is your wonderful components if you hear big difference with the DS. I believe others also found their May do not produce much differences with HDMI cables.
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It would be interesting to see how big a role the Matrix plays here. Has anyone tried a direct i2s vs direct USB on the May? The Matrix I2s vs direct USB is so much better. The way Halo audio is pushing the USB connection makes me wonder if I’m missing something here…
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Dragon from May to PST.
It’s getting late, I will report tomorrow.
Dang those class A Plinius monoblocks know how to drive the B&W 800s (730W into 4 ohms, one third class A)
Go Kiwis 
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The Matrix was indispensable for me with the DirectStream with my Sonore Signature Rendu SE optical. Connecting via I2S was the way to obtain the best sound quality.
With the May and the Sonore Signature Rendu SE optical, USB is the best sounding way for me.
I tried with the Matrix via I2S vs straight USB and USB was better sounding to me into the May
Something that I would suspect that needs to be considered is not just only the quality of the USB input, but also the quality of the USB source.
This may be where the Matrix is making a particular USB source perform better via the I2S input.
The Matrix did not make the Sonore sound better via I2S.
While the May does have a very “unique” USB input application, that does not guarantee that it will be the best sounding input for every source. (or even functional, especially at MHz rates)
The only USB sources that I had available to try where;
STi9 direct via USB ( with and without Intona 3.0 ) & ( with and without Matrix via I2S )
STi9 via MeLE NAA USB ( with and without Intona 3.0 ) & ( with and without Matrix via I2S )
STi9 via Sonore Sig Rendu SE ( would not work with Intona 3.0 ) & ( with and without Matrix via I2S )
USB cabling was WW Platinum Starlight 7 USB
I2S cabling was WW Platinum Starlight 7 HDMI & PS Audio AC12 HDMI
What matters is what performs best for each of us.
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As I posted in the Spring 3 thread for me using the SingXer SU-1 KTE USB to I2S DDC into the Spring 3 KTE is decidedly better than USB direct, This is after 750 hours of burnin of the Spring 3. At the 100 hour mark on the Spring 3 burn in I felt the USB direct was better sounding.
I might add in my experience the SU-1 delivers higher SQ via I2S to the matrix which I owned prior to the SU-1 KTE DDC. This test was done with the Direct Stream.
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In my limited time with the May Kitsune Edition I found feeding it from the Signature Rendu direct with a $2k+ USB cable was preferred to Matrix/I2S every time. But the Gryphon Kalliope fed with the same source made the May sound weak and shrill. YMMV. Ditto for the MBL N31.
I still prefer the DSD Sr. and Jr. with the Matrix/I2S setup to the May.
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Hmm - I loved the DSD Sr and it is real good but there’s no comparison. There must have been something wrong with your unit - not even close.
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Or he had a completely different experience from yours. Sheesh.
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The key element of my statement is a DAC that costs three times or five times as much as the May impressed ME more. Price is no guarantee of better performance but in this case price did result in an improvement. FOR ME. None of this matters if the price is out of range for an individual.
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Thanks Elk - your profound never-ending wisdom has been missed.Never would have thought of that if you didn’t point it out - Sheesh
Happy to be of help. It is easy to miss these things.
You win as you always must. Last word always goes to you…
starting to hate this place
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We are better off with you here Terz!
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Mods are supposed to be invisible or at least not create problems……