Add I2s to Oppo players?

I read through the replies and hopefully I'm not replicating a post. The OP won't be using the HDMI out from the OPPO as it is setup from the factory. The Oppomod adds a card to the PCB which includes it's own seperate I2S output using the HDMI cable. I believe you have to cut an opening in the housing for the new port.

I'm thinking about this mod also myself.

HTH.

    Thanks for the link Unsound., bookmarked.    My headphone stack is an OPPO 83 (not on the listed players).  It's using an HDMI external breakout box for I2s, and the Pontus DAC has a high end clock in it.  The nice power supplies are tempting but guess none for the 83.  I also have a 203 in my full HT system that might benefit from some of the mods...don't care about I2s out of it.

click here:

OPPOMOD

I'm just going to repost this from a similar discussion last month, and will add my setup is still working perfectly and the I2s is very noticeably the best SACD sound for my ears:  (ps, the DSD light is ON on the Pontus 2)

old_ears

33 posts

11-22-2023 at 05:51pm 

Wow, some good info on this thread but mostly a lot of confusion and false information.

   For a couple of years now I've been enjoying my small collection, <12 SACDs via: a standalone headphone reference system..

OPPO 83-(with 2channel SACD layer output selected)-small HDMI breakout box ($50 E-bay Chinese order)- I2s (all HDMI cables) into a Pontus 2 DAC-balanced cables-Jot2 amp-Aria headphones.  No problem, the cheap box also sends full HDMI to a small monitor to easily access the player controls via remote.

I realize I'm skirting DRM but I don't record or copy anything.

Most SACD I see for sale are Hybrids with that 2nd or third layer of 2 ch PCM.  I think there Japanese DSD only versions, expensive.  Usually the SACD layers do sound notably better than PCM or regular Red Book cd versions...not always.  It does no good to remix a final PCM file to DSD, then back again for play.

Of course if the OPPO gives up I do have a 105 in my AV system that is going strong but doesn't do HDCD decoding like the 83.

I didn't discover this on my own here's a link to the article that got me started:

https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/reviews/at-long-last-listen-to-your-physical-sacds-through-an-outboard-dac-r971/

I2S can work.  However, every manufacturer does it differently because it isn't standardized.  There are $$25K DACs out there that don't support I2S.

We have a lot of fools choosing equipment by whether is has I2S or not, rather than the reissues that affect sound and performance.  I think that's a pretty good example of a fool's errand.

Keep reading and you'll eventually see that I don't say foolish things.  Been to a lot of rodeos.

Jerry

Some of my DVD-A do sound better thru optical. And again, Optical does not pass DSD, so I need HDMI to I2s.

Sorry, but you’re completely lost and out in the weeds here and I’m done.  Listen to Alvin — he’ll set you straight. 

Agreed its not recommended to go direct to the Denafrips from OPPO. One HDMI channel can be set to digital audio onlly, no video. I will message Alvin at Denafrips again for more clarification. He has been most helpful. Better than any other company rep except maybe Birgir at Mojnir Audio. I was disappointed with my contact at P.S. Audio- not Paul. As I have stated, I am hardcore disk listener. Some of my DVD-A do sound better thru optical. And again, Optical does not pass DSD, so I need HDMI to I2s. My leftover budget is for 4 powercords, and XLR to go between them.

Denafrips told me not to do this, but I might try this, as I can do the same.

You’ll most likely break your DAC if you try to connect the HDMI output of the Oppo to the I2S input of the Denafrips.

Just because they use the same connector doesn’t mean the wires are carrying the same signal.

I2S pinouts using the HDMI connector are different for each manufacturer. There’s no single agreed upon standard.

I2S is not a “fool’s errand,” and that’s just a stupid and uninformed thing to say.

Carlsbad,

You mentioned "I2S is mostly a fools errand in my opinion."

Can you explain further? I have had experiences where I2S was the best connection (by far) in both my current BS Node to Iris to Pontus set up, and the Jay's CDT-2 MKIII to Pontus. I can also see that a well constructed streamer or CD transport topology will reduce the need for an I2S connection.....because they do such a good job with their other topologyies.

I am NOT trying to say anything negative, but just curious what your experience has been

Oppo seems to be geared toward HT, reading DVDs.  So 2 channel sound is probably a low priority.

I2S is mostly a fools errand in my opinion.

Is USB an option?

Maybe you just need a 2 channel CD transport.  My CD transport is 5x as costly as my HT DVD player.

Jerry

Denafrips told me not to do this, but I might try this, as I can do the same.

Thanks, I had been thinking about trying this.

My BrystonDAC3 has HDMI inputs and I output the Oppo 105 DSD from SACD into it

I’m really trying to help here, but A’gon keeps kicking out my responses so right now I’m beyond pissed off.  You should not be using optical connections to your Venus.  You should not be worrying about converting HDMI from your Oppo to anything.  Your priorities are all messed up and you need to totally rethink what you’re doing here.

Sorry I am not clear. The only source is the OPPO. So far.  I use the optical to the DAC and the #1 OPPO HDMI output to a cheap box that extracts digital from SACD's ,because DSD will not come through optical. The extracted signal from the black box goes into the Venus II I2s input

You have multiple very bad issues going on here.  My initial more thorough response got kicked out once so I’m not gonna go into more detail here now again, but you’re very confused and not getting near the best from your excellent DAC.  You have some work to do.

My frame of reference for SACD players was one of the best ever built, the SONY SCD-1 which was modded my Vaccuum State to 5+ level. The D.BOB I mentioned is better in many ways to the SONY but the modded SONY still had a magical sound that could compete with new DACs. The SCD-1 died after 20+ years.

The fact that a $700 D.BOB and a $200 used OPPO, that I was not even using, can compete with the Sony is shocking to me. I had plans to get a SACD transport option for the DAC upgrade I had in mind. However, after the D.BOB I will use the OPPO as my transport and save the money.

My fav sonic disk is the SACD pressing of DSOTM, Love the fact that I can hear this disk again in it’s true glory. The OPPO also plays some SACD’s that the SONY had trouble tracking.

The OPPO has optical, co-ax, digital outputs. It has a USB input only. The HDMI will pass digital. I will keep this player until someone else makes a quality Blu Ray Audio/ Video, SACD, DVD=Audio, and for my large collection of cd's a buit in HDCD decoder, that only MEGA BUCKS Berkely Audio has in a DAC. NO player out there does all of those. To me this OPPO is priceless. I love owning disks.

Stonyb3165,

I am not familiar with the Oppo connections and formats, so I'll be of no use there. As Soix mentioned I use a Denafrips Iris DDC ($550)  to convert USB from my streamer to I2S to the Pontus II DAC.....the Iris only accepts USB. Using I2S is a game changer in SQ, worth every penny. Does the Oppo output USB? Is it even worth it going this route with a decade old player?

The only CD transports that I know with I2S outputs are the Pro-Ject CD box RS2T, Nuprime (CDT 8 Pro, CDT 9, CDT 10), and the Jay's Audio units. I've tested the CDT2 MKIII connected I2S to the Pontus, and it was glorious......eventually what I'll end up with. I'd look at this as an option knowing you're up to date with current technology.

Sorry I am not clear. The only source is the OPPO. So far.  I use the optical to the DAC and the #1 OPPO HDMI output to a cheap box that extracts digital from SACD's ,because DSD will not come through optical. The extracted signal from the black box goes into the Venus II I2s input. I don't like extra step.I also can play Blu Ray or DVD-A through the HDMI into I2s.  But suggestions from other answers have me thinking like the DOB. Regardless the detailed, non fatiguing sound, is amazing. I should leave be and concentrate on some XLR cables as the system is balanced from the Venus to my Schiit Loki Max to my Mojilnor STAX Headamp then his modded STAX Earspeaker. No speakers here. Any suggestions for 1-3 foot XLR  below $500?

I’m honestly having a hard time following what you’re doing as the info of your system has come in piecemeal, but if I’m reading right you’re still using a computer as a source into your very nice Venus DAC.  If that’s the case that should be the first thing you should address and add a dedicated streamer that’ll up your performance significantly.  Likewise, adding a DDC and converting to i2S is another area for significant sonic improvements, and I’ll call on @vthokie83 yet again as he can tell you his experience upgrading to i2S with his Denafrips Pontus II.  FWIW.

 As DSD from SACD only 64, I will just use the optical input and get rid of the cheap box. The Venus II is far beyond my expectations for DAC for the cost. Sitting in the middle of Denafrips line it has all I want and nothing I don't. {except 2 optical inputs.The impressive construction, and design along with price is what I settled on after months of looking. SACD is nice, but some BLU-RAY's  and DVD-A are incredible as well. No Regrets.

I do not like the idea of using a box to convert the HDMI from the OPPO to I2s…I just don’t like the idea of a $40 Chinese box between the Oppo and Venus II.

If the Oppo doesn’t output i2S, which it likely does not, you don’t wanna use its HDMI output for audio anyway, period (unless if it’s for the limited use case of passing a native DSD signal if the Oppo even has that capability). For audio in general you’re better off using the USB, SPDIF, AES/EBU outs to a DDC like the Hermes I mentioned above and let that do the conversion to i2S.

HDMI video and HDMI audio are 2 different things- I don’t know how well the $40 converter you’re referring to will handle audio reproduction either. The DOB unit that @yyzsantabarbara mentions has been highly recommended- but I’ve never tried one with my Oppo unit.

I believe the Bryston BDA 3.14 dac will do what you’re asking for. I’ve read that it has the ability to process audio via HDMI and a pass the audio out. You’d need to confirm that for SACD as I read about this some time ago.

I use the D.BOB to convert DSD from my OPPO (a real cheap one).  The DSD goes into my Schitt Yggi+ DAC via SPDIF. It sounds amazing.

GeerFab Audio D.BOB digital breakout box | Stereophile.com

The Yggi DAC is way better than what is in the OPPO. The Venus DAC is better than the OPPOs. However, I am not sure if the Venus will work with the D.BOB. It works with my Benchmark DAC3B and the Yggi.

I am not sure if you can take HDMI and get the pure DSD out of I2S. 

I do not like the idea of using a box to convert the HDMI from the OPPO to I2s. And it does not lite the DSD on the Venus II. Denafrips says there is a problem with the conversion. I cant go HDMI straight from OPPO to Denafrips, I am told I may damage the Venus II . The I2s lite does illuminate, but not DSD. It sounds great, but if I ever want to stream at the higher rates from a computer I will use USB of course. I just don't like the idea of a $40 Chinese box between the Oppo and Venus II. As OPPO does not makes the universal players anymore something might wear out. As good as it is, and my player was N.O.S. when I bought 2 years ago I pray it will be ok. It gets its AC from a PS Audio Power Plant 15.

I don’t get it.  You’ve already got a “China box” in the Venus but don’t want another one to convert to i2S?  Seems pretty hypocritical to me.  I’d say just get a Denafrips Hermes and be done with it. I use an Iris to get i2S to my DAC and it was a significant improvement, and the Hermes should be better still.  Plus, trying to retrofit i2S to an Oppo could end up being fraught with problems/compatibility issues if it’s even possible.  Take the easy route that’s already been provided for you by the manufacturer of your DAC.

There used to be a company offering multi-channel S/PDIF outputs from Oppo players, but I have no idea if they are still in business.  Don't remember I2S being an option however.