I’d check with @jamesh but I’m pretty sure the eARC cables are not compatible with I2S. Thunderbird is similar to Vodka but offers higher bandwidth transfer and a higher level of noise dissipation capabilities.
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You’re right. Audioquest informed us that their eARC cables should not be used for the I2S connection.
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The folks at the Music Room just told me that they’d work, but you shouldn’t use them. Just ordered the Thunderbird 48 HDMI cable.
Gary … interested in your thoughts on the Thunderbird 48 hdmi cable, when you receive it.
This can be ignored, I’ve seen your comments about the above cable in another thread.
The Music Room told you that the eARC cables work with I2S?
They did, but they said they wouldn’t suggest it versus the 48. I would double check with PS Audio to make sure though.
I heard from an Audioquest regional rep that eARC won’t work with I2S. When you see the price savings on the eARC compared to the new 48 series the first thing I thought was awesome huge savings! Then I found out it wouldn’t work. 
Okay good to know.
I’m listening to the Thunderbird 48 in my system right now, and I couldn’t be happier with the sound, worth every penny!
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That’s great to hear! You are the first that I have seen with experience with the new 48 series. I bought one of the last from the final batch of AQ Diamond HDMI and was wondering what the Thunderbird, Firebird, and Dragon 48’s would sound like.
Only other HDMI cables I’ve compared it to were the stock PS Audio cable and the Harmonic Technology Magic cable. The Thunderbird has better extension on the top and bottom end, it’s more dynamic, has a wider and deeper soundstage, along with greater clarity and detail.
Presently I am using Cable Creation’s HDMI eARC cable without any issues.
Is the eARC issue specific to AQ and PSAudio?
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I am currently auditioning a 1 meter Wireworld Silver Sphere HDMI cable vs. my current reference AQ Mocha (which became Coffee pretty much unchanged) between my Matrix X SPDIF 2 and DSD Sr. and, after settling in, it smokes (everything is relative) the Mocha which is excellent. Both are silver over copper. Lower noise floor with a much better soundstage, dynamics and vastly better bass. Only $300 retail (everything is relative). Oh yes, it will be mine.
Anyone want to buy a Mocha? It ain’t shabby by any means and I can hook you up…
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Any more experiences or comparisons from anyone using the WW Silver Sphere?
There’s a new WW Platinum Starlight 48 HDMI on the market. Maybe it would be competition for the AQ Dragon 48? Have anyone tried this cable yet?
0.6m $800, 1m $1000.
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@waymanchen11 Happy 
day!
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Thanks Serhan, I didn’t realize I’ve been on this forum so long. 
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This is a pretty easy place to hang out at so time goes fast. Happy Cake Day!
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I made a post about this a couple months ago and speculated it was competing with the AQ 48’s. Not too hard to figure that I guess :^ ) I don’t use HDMI anymore but if I did I’d be interested.
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I am using the WW Platinum Eclipse 8’s and WW Platinum Ethernet Starlight 8’s right now and they are among the best I’ve heard. There’s also WW Platinum Starlight 8 USB’s for $600 1m that might be something to look into for USB cables to compete with AQ Diamond USB. I find the series 8’s a pretty good improvement over the series 7, especially for the interconnects.
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