AES/EBU balanced XLR digital transmission vs. coax and I2S


Is AES/EBU better sounding than SPDIF coax and if so why? Also, how does I2S HDMI compare? With my headphone system I prefer I2S by a small margin, but I am interested in what others have found. Interface: Denafrips Iris DDC to Denafrips Terminator II DAC.

ambr1600

Showing 1 response by carlsbad2

What @soix said.  It also depends on your cables.  One advantage to AES/EBU is that quality cables are availble.  Machine made cables like I2S and USB are less available in high quality. 

There is no difference in sould based just on the connector.  It is the implementation by the OEM and the cable.

My Grimm streamer has only AES/EBU output so I'm sure they focused on that.

My Innous has only USB so I'm sure they focused on that.

Both sound excellent.

Jerry