BTW, one solution that Jay’s Audio confirm would work is getting a “modified” HDMI cable with pin 15 (and 16?) defeated.
I wonder if anyone knows where to get those mods done … Definitely beyond my skill level …
Fair point but I have had the CDT2-MKII for less than two weeks and have been on the road for the better part of that period and as such I have not had much time to experiment with it (other than to swap out the IS2 for an old Ensemble Digiflux cable) or research the issue. The importer had told me that the transport would work with IS2 to the DS Sr (that’s why I purchased it-I have a DirectStream Memory Player and DS Sr. in my primary system and wanted a less expensive option for a secondary system which also has a DS Sr.). My initial thought was that was a cable issue (just as some DACs have issues with different USB cables). I had some free time last night and starting searching for posts on the topic to see if others were encountering the issue and came across your post.
Here’s hoping that there is a simple solution.
Best regards,
Maxim-
Same here.
I sent a request to Blue Jeans Cable (www.bluejeanscable.com) to see if it was possible to order an HDMI cable with pin 15 defeated. I will let you know I learn from them.
Best regards,
The issue is not with the Directstream DAC but with your source. They claim compliance to the PS Audio I2S standard but obviously they are doing something to keep the lead for deemphasis set to on.
I do not disagree. I have no issue PS Audio (I own 2 DS Srs, a DS MP, BHK Signature Amp and assorted cables) and regularly sing their praises; in my mind this is a Jay’s Audio issue, plain and simple.
+1 (why do I have to add characters?)
It helps avoid spam and encourages responses more substantive than “This ^”, etc.
Maxim-
One further thought before you bin the CDT-2MKII. Frustrated as I am (as I expect you are as well) with the CDT-2MKII, I have been trying other cable combinations and I think that I landed on a winner (assuming we cannot solve the IS2 pin 15 issue, although I am certain that is doable based on this afternoon’s research). Its pricey but, boy does it sound good. If you get a chance, borrow a Shunyata Ananconda Zitron AES/EBU. Frankly, I was floored by the sound and step up in detail and presence over the coax cable that I was using.
Well I GET decent sound with the mid price AES/EBU cable I use. But I was hoping for more with I2S …
I just tried this with Matrix X-SPDIF 2 and found AES/EBU to be better than I2S as well. I found the bass to be more controlled, vocal to have more layer compared to I2S. Going to stick with AES/EBU, thanks for bring the topic up, was thinking I’m using the best interface already, but as with anything in audio, just try it.
I’m using Mogami Gold cable btw.
Maxim-
Blue Jeans Cable advised that they “do not terminate HDMI cables at our shop (all HDMI termination is done in China), and to make a single modified cable would be horrendously expensive.”
Any word from Jay’s?
Tell them to make many of them!!
Maxim-
Thanks for the update. Jay’s offered to do the same for me. I will let you know when I receive it and whether works/how it sounds with my HDMI cable.
Best regards,
Who is Jays? And if this guy is going to make some of these adapters anyways, it might be wise to have him include a defeat for the +5V supply pins as well. In fact an adapter which defeated both of these pins would probably be a big seller on this forum since Ted has stated that the interaction of external 5V supplies with the DS’s internal 5V supply compromises the sound somewhat.
That was pin 19, right?
If the diagram in this thread can be relied upon, it looks like Pin 18.
Jay’s is a truncated name of the manufacturer (Jay’s Audio), the manufacturer of the transport (CDT-2 MKII) whose IS2 implementation is incompatible with PS Audios (at the DS Sr.).
Hi Raymond,
Have you received your adapter?
My parcel is stuck somewhere in China I am advised …
Maxim
Same problem here. According to the tracking info they provided, my shipment is sitting in Hong Kong Station. Very frustrating.