Another convert to I2S, this seems to be picking up. My hope is all manufacturers offer I2S option for dacs, this or give me highest quality OXCO clock and power supply to this clock in dac. For those looking for highest optimization of I2S, DDC with OXCO clock and superior power supply for this clock, optimization of input into DDC, this will usually be usb, and I2S cable vs HDMI cable, I advocate for Tubulus cables out of the Netherlands, Ximius is their top cable.
My Focal Twin Setup and I2s Journey
After months of fine-tuning my audio setup, experimenting with cables, and chasing the elusive synergy between components, I’ve finally found an HDMI cable that feels like the missing piece of the puzzle
The Starting Point My system started with a WiiM Ultra feeding digital audio via USB to a Topping D90 III Discrete DAC, connected through XLR to a pair of Focal Shape Twin monitors. Early upgrades like the Supra Excalibur USB cable and PS800AS power cable gave clear improvements in resolution and dynamic flow, but something still felt unsettled — especially in terms of imaging depth and midrange smoothness.
The Coax vs USB Phase I first explored Coax output via the WiiM Ultra and quickly noted its limitations: the sound was more glued together, lacking the separation and air I was aiming for. USB remained my preferred connection, but jitter and grounding issues became points of concern as my setup grew more revealing.
Enter the HDMI DDC Stage When I introduced the Gustard U18 DDC, things opened up. I began testing I2S over HDMI to the Topping D90 III, starting with a basic Ugreen cable. To my surprise, the sound was immediately a vast improvement from my non-I2S connections. It had depth, clarity, and brought a new sense of vibrancy. At first, I felt great — finally, a solid step forward.
Testing the Radius 48 But curiosity drove me further, and I tried the AudioQuest Radius 48. It opened up a new dimension in terms of micro-detail and spatial precision. The transients were incredibly fast, and the clarity was undeniably sharp. However, the musicality took a hit. The sound signature turned cold — almost clinical. For some genres, this might have been a good fit, but for emotional, vocal-driven tracks like Norah Jones, it lacked warmth and the chest-felt resonance I crave.
The Blueberry Revelation That’s when I turned to the AudioQuest Blueberry. The transformation was immediate and clear. The sound became more fluid, the midrange warmer and more present, and the extension of instruments felt more natural. The transient response smoothed out without dulling detail, and I found myself finally satisfied with the chest-thumping resonance I had been missing. While it didn’t have the surgical separation of the Radius, it offered a more musical, emotionally engaging experience — exactly what my system had been craving.
Final Thoughts In hindsight, the Blueberry was not the most expensive or hyped option, but in my setup, it was simply the best. It completed the system’s sonic signature in a way that felt balanced and satisfying. It was the product of deliberate, incremental experimentation — and for now, the journey feels complete.
I hope this helps others who are navigating the cable rabbit hole. Trust your ears, and don’t overlook the importance of syne
rgy over specs.
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- 4 posts total
- 4 posts total