Nuprime Stream-9 Streamer

2.  Is the HDMI i2s output on the Stream-9 compatible with the following DACs: Holo Audio May,  PS Audio Directstream and SMSL VMV D2?

No, it Is not compatible

I can confirm that this works on the Holo May. You need to configure the i2s input to the "HOLO" configuration and disable the PLL.

Oh, should have mentioned the Pi2AES is made in the U.S. by Michael Kelly, and if you google it, you'll get info on how to order.

Rpi is just the Raspberry Pi, and I use a 3b, not the current 4 version (runs a bit cooler).  The Pi2AES just plugs into the top of the Rpi board, and provides a bunch of outputs (though not USB), such as I2S, AES, Toslink, and Spdif (RCA). I use MoOde operating system, and have to download some Roon Bridge code to get Roon to see the Rpi as an endpoint.  Let me know if you need more info.

@doni Hi, can you tell me the manufacturer name and brand of the RPi streamer?

Below are the response I received from Nuprime:

Stream-9 is able to work with Roon (we have Roon server in our lab), it is not Roon ready in that it won’t show up as a Roon end-point device, but performance wise these is no difference. Our firmware supplier is working on Roon ready integration but we can’t guarantee a release date.

2.  Is the HDMI i2s output on the Stream-9 compatible with the following DACs: Holo Audio May,  PS Audio Directstream and SMSL VMV D2?

I’ve found a cheap I2S solution, that being an RPi with a Pi2aes HAT which has an I2s output.  I run it into my PS Audio Directstream DAC via Hdmi and the sound is is great!  I think it sounds better than Usb personally.  I’m using the MoOde operating system and use the Rpi as a Roon endpoint with Qobuz.  

On another Audiogon thread, a user said he contacted Tim Connor at Holo Audio and this was Tim's reply:  "Personally I’m all about i2s. It’s the best all around. With a good Hdmi i2s cable it’s definitely a step up. The aes/eBu is as good as spdif gets bit imo Spdif is a bit dated. We have overcome a lot , if not all usb shortcoming and i2s is just beyond that. I personally use i2s always".  

Hi Carlsbad, I'm just interested in trying out the i2s interface.  Have followed many discussions with some saying it improves on usb, while others saying usb is better if done correctly.   I'd like to hear for myself which one I would prefer.  Paul McGowan at PS Audio says i2s is much better than usb, but perhaps he is pushing i2s because his DS Dac has that input.  Do you have experience with i2s and if so what's your opinion on i2s vs usb?  Thanks.

S.M.S.L is to wired the PS audio (the original) as do all Shenzhen products.

Thanks, that was kind of a weird post and thread. There are definitely other interesting streamer options available,  including g the Magna Mano Ultra. 

The I2S output on all Nuprime gear follows the PS Audio standard so yes to the May/Spring and Directstream don't know what standard SMSL follows. 

Roon will see just about any device that doesn't need drivers installed.  It may call it something wierd.  My core on a NUC is called 1730K1D.  So I"m not surprised by reports that the streamer works just fine.

I do have an old DAC that requried drivers be installed on the computer driving it and roon won't see it.

Just out of curiousity why do you need an I2S port?

Jerry

I found this:

"Whether Nuprime is on the list or not is simply marketing. We have Roon in our demo lab and it works with all Nuprime components.

How many of you are willing to pay more for us to be listed? It has nothing to do with compatibility."

All I know for sure is that Roon DOES play with a Magna Mano Ultra with compatible i2s output for less money.