How are you comparing the USB and I2S may I ask. Do you have a source that has both outputs, or are you using a converter to I2S to make this comparison. Just wondering.
Great question!
i2S Path: Fiber → Sonore Signature Rendu SE → USB (WW Platinum) → Kitsune KTE SU-2 → i2S (PSA HDMI 10 currently but did try a AudioQuest Vodka and heard no difference) → DS
USB Path: Fiber → Sonore Signature Rendu SE → USB (WW Platinum) → DS
Clearly the difference is the SU-2. On specs alone, the SU-2 is a very capable unit. Before I started using it for this purpose I used it to send audio from a ShieldTV Pro to a Sony TA-ZH1ES Headphone Amp via Coax. I originally had an SU-1 and the difference between the SU-1 and SU-2 was startling. Listening with a pair of MDR-Z!R’s it was very obvious to me that everything we like about audio got better instantly.
This of course doesn’t address if the i2S output is as good as it can be. I don’t have another convertor to compare it to.
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I don’t think that in your specific setup that there is a big difference between USB and i2S. You already have a perfectly galvanic isolated USB solution with Fiber to the Sonore. The USB output of the Sonore is near to perfect. So the additional USB-to-i2S converter will not improve much, it is in my eyes only one component more that adds complexity. In worst case, it introduces electric noise again… (I don’t think it does in this case, but it does also not improve the situation). I have asked the guys at Sonore some while ago and they replied that the Fiber-to-Sonore solution will not be improved by adding a i2S converter. Simplicity is King.
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@alexreusch - You and I are on the same page. I feel like the KTE SU-2 in this case is merely converting a really good USB data stream to a I2S format with no additional value. I’m going to take the KTE out of the mix permanently tonight.
The good news for me is that when the USB output of the ShieldTV Pro is connected to the KTE, the Coax output of the KTE sounds better on my headphone amp then the direct optical output of the TV to the Headphone amp. So, I’ll put that back into service tonight as well. Win!
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Makes totally sense. The ShieldTV Pro might not be really optimized for audio and I bet that it has many noisy components inside the powerful box. So in this case, the KTE is a great way to improve the audio signal.
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I agree that audio servers can impact sound quality, they’re got a lot better over the last 13 years I’ve been using them.
I use the same one PS Audio recently purchased from Innuos and it’s connected to my streamer/DAC by both usb and CAT6a. The usb should be terrible as it carries 5v and the CAT6a excellent as it is galvanically isolated. I can hear no difference. The Innuos has a superbly implemented usb output with a dedicated LPS. My usb cable cost $5 (that was the cost of the magazine, the cable was a give-away).
On another site the other day someone with a Linn streamer (I owned one) was asking for affordable upgrade advice and someone recommended a $1,500 usb cable. I suggested that was rather a lot of money to spend. He was offended. I pointed out the Linn streamer does not have usb input. He didn’t reply. dCS don’t like usb either. Hardly anyone uses I2S. Most provide optical, which is excellent, but few use it. Some now have fibre inputs. I used to use wireless. Don’t think there is one best way.
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