I2S Cable

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George Hincapie
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I2S Cable

Unread post by George Hincapie »

Have any of you any experience with I2S cables?

Is there much difference between them? Thinking about the AudioQuest Carbon 1m which seems to be reasonably priced. That said, I've read of people being perfectly happy with an Amazon generic cable, so I'm not sure.
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Re: I2S Cable

Unread post by Fretless »

Isn't it just an HDMI cable?
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George Hincapie (Tue Nov 29, 2022 2:04 pm)

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Re: I2S Cable

Unread post by Nearlymusical »

I am using an Audioquest carbon HDMI - between a DDC and DAC - I chose it due to the good result I had with the Audioquest carbon USB cable, but I'm afraid I cant offer comparison over generic. However I can say it seemed to be good value to me.
Just to mention one thing I have come across . There is a potential compatibility issue - not due to the HDMI cable choice - but due to the way the I2S connections are configured in the boxes that are to be connected. I had to ensure that my Audio DG DI-20 I2S output pin configuration was the same as the receiving I2S input pin allocation on the PS audio DAC. This is due to there not being an agreed standard for I2S implementation. Probably not an issue between boxes of the same manufacturer - but a potential pitfall for mix and match. So worth checking - thats if you if you havent already clocked this as a potential issue. All the best NM
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George Hincapie (Tue Nov 29, 2022 2:23 pm)
Aurender N100H > SoTM USB cable > Audio DG DI-20 (I2s out ) > Audioquest Carbon 48 HDMI cable > PS audio Directstream DAC > Cardas Golden Cross XLR > Modwright 36.5 Pre > Cardas Golden Cross XLR > PS Audio M1200 Monoblocks > Cardas Golden Cross Speaker Cable > Meadowlark Kestrel Hotrod speakers

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Re: I2S Cable

Unread post by Hemmo1969 »

Fretless wrote: Tue Nov 29, 2022 1:27 pm Isn't it just an HDMI cable?
Uses the same end plugs ...I2s only needs 6 wires where as HDMI has 23 wired..... but yes you can use a HDMI cable.
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George Hincapie (Tue Nov 29, 2022 2:07 pm)

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Re: I2S Cable

Unread post by George Hincapie »

Fretless wrote: Tue Nov 29, 2022 1:27 pm Isn't it just an HDMI cable?
It absolutely is just an HDMI cable. In the same way that a USB cable is just a USB cable and RCA cables are just RCA cables :grin:
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Re: I2S Cable

Unread post by CN211276 »

I am using AQ Carbon HDMI cable between my Sky box and TV. It is a night and day improvement over Sky's supplied cable in terms of picture clarity. Even my wife thinks it is and she has never made such comments about audio cable upgrades. :lol:
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George Hincapie (Tue Nov 29, 2022 2:25 pm)
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George Hincapie
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Re: I2S Cable

Unread post by George Hincapie »

Nearlymusical wrote: Tue Nov 29, 2022 1:35 pm I am using an Audioquest carbon HDMI - between a DDC and DAC - I chose it due to the good result I had with the Audioquest carbon USB cable, but I'm afraid I cant offer comparison over generic. However I can say it seemed to be good value to me.
Just to mention one thing I have come across . There is a potential compatibility issue - not due to the HDMI cable choice - but due to the way the I2S connections are configured in the boxes that are to be connected. I had to ensure that my Audio DG DI-20 I2S output pin configuration was the same as the receiving I2S input pin allocation on the PS audio DAC. This is due to there not being an agreed standard for I2S implementation. Probably not an issue between boxes of the same manufacturer - but a potential pitfall for mix and match. So worth checking - thats if you if you havent already clocked this as a potential issue. All the best NM
That's interesting, thanks. Fortunately my DDC and DAC are from the same manufacturer, so hopefully it should be as seamless as just plugging it in...
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George Hincapie
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Re: I2S Cable

Unread post by George Hincapie »

CN211276 wrote: Tue Nov 29, 2022 2:19 pm I am using AQ Carbon HDMI cable between my Sky box and TV. It is a night and day improvement over Sky's supplied cable in terms of picture clarity. Even my wife thinks it is and she has never made such comments about audio cable upgrades. :lol:
You almost had me believing you for a moment, but the comment about your wife just tipped your hat - brilliant :guiness;
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Re: I2S Cable

Unread post by Fretless »

George Hincapie wrote: Tue Nov 29, 2022 2:06 pm
Fretless wrote: Tue Nov 29, 2022 1:27 pm Isn't it just an HDMI cable?
It absolutely is just an HDMI cable. In the same way that a USB cable is just a USB cable and RCA cables are just RCA cables :grin:
Excuse my ignorance. ;)
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George Hincapie (Tue Nov 29, 2022 3:55 pm)

Upstairs:
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Pro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: P50sa - Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a (x2)
Downstairs:
Vinyl
Logic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
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George Hincapie
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Re: I2S Cable

Unread post by George Hincapie »

Fretless wrote: Tue Nov 29, 2022 3:53 pm
George Hincapie wrote: Tue Nov 29, 2022 2:06 pm
Fretless wrote: Tue Nov 29, 2022 1:27 pm Isn't it just an HDMI cable?
It absolutely is just an HDMI cable. In the same way that a USB cable is just a USB cable and RCA cables are just RCA cables :grin:
Excuse my ignorance. ;)
Nah, you're good mate. Metrum/Sonnet I2S is RJ45. Suspect a few other manufacturers use that format too. Incidentally, you can swap the USB module in your Musette for an I2S module if you ever see an Ambre or Hermes going cheap.

I've ordered a 1m £10 'Amazon Recommended' cable for now. Let's see what the SQ is like with that before I spend 17 times that much on an AQ one 😉
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Linear Tube Audio MZ3

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HifiMan Sundara • HiFiMan Arya Stealth Edition • ZMF Vérité Closed Ltd (Stabilised) • ZMF Atrium Open Ltd (Hawaiian Koa) • ZMF Aeolus Ltd (Mexican Bocote)

Digital
Audial S5 • Pi2AES 2.0

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Forza Audio Works • Blue Jeans • DH Labs • Periapt

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