Streamer > AQ Diamond USB > Matrix > AQ Dragon HDMI > MK II
I prefer 1) a lot. More body and full sound, better bass, voice more real, same wide wide soundstage. I’m liking the way the music is represented, less digital and more analog, warmer but unveiled and detailed too. It’s a question of taste and naturalness and engagement, no doubts! Pass me the silly example but I know you can better comprehend the difference: USB sounds like the M1 vs the other connection that sounds like the Purple, so to speak!
I don’t know if the reason is really USB over I2S in general or simply the Pink Faun cable in the equation, so this comparison is not really apple vs apple.
I would like (it would be a fair comparison) to try
Streamer > USB Pink Faun > Matrix > AQ Dragon HDMI > MK II
unfortunately the Matrix doesn’t like the Pink Faun USB anymore. Ni ways to let the Matrix turn on with this cable (and it was working untile last week).
I emailed Jord of Pink Faun to ask his help.
What I consider surprising is how better the USB input is working on the MK II compared to MK II
The MK1 had a weak USB input. The MK2 doesn’t. It is as simple as that. People who think USB is flawed are believing what they wish to believe. In my world view it is just as valid an interface as any of others.
The MK1 had a weak USB interface. It was the MK1, not USB that was the problem. I have used USB on other DACs with zero downside. The MK2 joins the others I have used in not having a problem.
But, USB is a Universal Serial Bus, designed for a plethora of computer peripheral. Its designated communication protocol is synchronous utilizing handshakes and data integrity checks.
USB was never designed for asynchronous transfer of high data content for Audio, omitting integrity checks.
Furthermore soldering a 20 mm OD tangled cable bundle to a tiny 12 mm connector, which counterpart socket is soldered on much smaller solder pads to a fraction of a mm thick copper layer is not changing that. On the contrary it does inflict too much mechanical stress on the tiny and fragile connections.
Whereas for HDMI, TOSLINK, SPDIF and AES EBU: the source, cable and receiver as well as the connectors are designed dedicated for Audio Video devices to work together. Ie. A synergetic well working interlink.
Whenever you need a conditioner (jitterbug) or the likes, it indicates that the interconnection is not synergetic.
It is the HDMI I2S interface that renders the PS Audio front end components to a high quality synergetic system.
You are probably right as I’m having an issue with the Pink Faun USB cable no more able to turn on the Matrix in my system, while it is working from streamer to MK II.
Anyhow in my modest experience my ears are liking the sound so much.
Until the AirLens will be launched we can only wait, then I’ll give you my final opinion.
I tend to share here just my thoughts about the gear I’m using, call it empirical approach, not enough experience to add comments based on knowledge outside my little boundaries.
I still feel an external LPS for matrix would help even the score for better HDMI performance compared to USB. I realize it is another box but my experience powering of HDPLEX 30 with great Ghent DC cables is night and day. When I pull the mstrix external DC and power comes from USB via ultraRendu it is much thinner sounding.
Luca, I just love your analysis, and it is not just one. My little Summus streamer does not have a USB output and I am dying to try my new USB cable. But reading yours I have a clear picture of understanding their difference. You have top cables to go with Metrax too, so I thought it could be the weak link, but vmax does not think so.
In any case, I am adding a few streamers with USBs to my future list. Thanks for another great post!
The AirLens time is so close that probably it’s wiser pondering the opportunity to exclude the Matrix from the chain, definitely.
I think that soon I will be able to decide if my final route might be:
Ethernet = Streamer (RJ45) PhoenixNET (RJ45) AirLens (I2S) MK II
One decision at a time. I have a so long burning in time ahead (Statement+MK II not beta unit) that the AirLens launch seems to coincidentally be even closer. Not to mention my room project refurbishment scheduled in march (since last summer each night I’m adding a little piece to this picture that are driving crazy my carpenter and electrician, I’m literally frying for this project considering it the biggest upgrade ever!).
If the AirLens experiment failed I would reconsider the Matrix/I2S vs USB dilemma, and in that case a good LPS in the chain too eventually, in a new room with more room on the rack.
Your health priority might be the chance for you to take your time for a wiser decision.
I’m not saying it’s a good thing, of course. Just that you can consider your next upgrade in a clearer scenario: beta testers and reviews of the AirLens will be able to provide you more useful informations to take whatever decision related to your next switch/streamer purchase.
See the glass half full, not half empty (don’t know if the expression exists also in english language!). Anyhow good luck!
Couple of weeks ago I had chance to try Gustard U18 DDC in my system vs Matrix x-spdif-2. Based on differences we heard I know Matrix can be the weak link. Gustard sounded much better in every area and when switched back to Matrix it was a hard landing. Everything sounded congested.
Something was off when we played dsd material though. First channels were reversed on mode 4 and we swapped mode3 and it was back to normal, but still not so engaging and we just enjoyed Qobuz streaming and hi-rez files after that. Later I learned that Gustard recommend mode 2 with PS Audio dac. Maybe someone with Gustard U18 can verify?
Anyway based on that experience and if they actually work correctly with DSD dac with mode 2 I highly suggest anyone thinking of good sounding DDC to give a try for Gustard U18.
Here I found i2s pinouts…maybe @tedsmith or someone can verify if they match?
I would bet the fine folks at Blue Jeans Cable would build an HDMI / i2s cable with the DSD L-R swapped en route if that would help. You would of course want to keep it marked as such.
Always had real issues with subwoofers and wife. Oil and water. Now she’s happy. REL S/812 on Townshend bars. I had to change the springs, but it’s now decoupled from the floor.
That confirms what we heard,thanks Ted. Now why they did such unusable modes beats me Anyway pcm stuff sounded really nice so there is potential if they correct those modes to work with PS Audio pinouts.
So it´s byebye Gustard unless someone listens only pcm.
An upcoming software update for the DS Mk II will allow swapping the DSD channels and setting their polarity vs PCM which should allow using mode 4 for both PCM and DSD.
Any chance you can send a good picture of the isolation bars. They look awesome! Going to consider for my new S/510s as opposed to maple platforms. Thanks!!!
Anyway pcm stuff sounded really nice so there is potential if they correct those modes to work with PS Audio pinouts.