I’ve not added a DDC yet. I’m actually now thinking of going with the Musica Pristina A Capella III. I’ve read a lot of great things about the unit and it uses I2S.......I’ll follow up when I pull the trigger. |
I use an Innuos Zen 3 into my Pontus via USB. Do I really need a Digital converter and use i2s instead? I heard that the sound would be leaner using the i2s? |
Hey snafujg,
Just following up to see if you've added the DDC to your setup? I'm awaiting the terminator and i'm interested to hear if the conversion to I2S is a noticeable improvement with the Node. I've got the Node2 as well and like it's functionality, stability and ease of use. Problem with looking at the Gaia or Aries now makes me think I should have gone for the T+ so I can get the benefit of the clock features. Whats a few more bucks!! :( |
I haven't made any moves yet as I was waiting for the Denafrips DDCs to come out. I'm still using a Bluesound Node 2i for a streamer so I'm looking at either the Hermes or GAIA since they accept Digital Coax input. If I had a USB streamer, the Iris would be all I needed. The Hermes and GAIA cover all streamer inputs so kind of future proof myself.
A DDC is my expected next move, though. |
The I2S is the best input for the Terminator. I improved the USB output of an Innuos Statement with the Denafrips Iris DDC and not by a little bit. |
snafujg, how is your Denafrips Terminator DAC working out? According to Psaudio the advantage IF streamer is connected through I2S interconnect vs other connection - the PCM(inter iC sound) audio data transport, bit clock line data, work select line(L or R channel) & data line is all matching between the network streamer and the DAC (with I2S). Therefore there is no need to take apart aforementioned data only to assemble the scrambled data again at the DAC level eliminating any chance of data loss. Engineers haven’t quantify this loss but some say 5-7%, audible? There are other factors at the network stream transport & DAC level that affects sound is: bigger internal space vs. cramped all in one unit, better internal/external linear power supply(possibly multiples if well executed) and magnetic shielding strategy, using shielded power cords etc. I’m a bit late to this discussion but I just bought Soundaware D300 network streamer, lowest price at $1900 usd that seem to meet these requirements. I was told that the user interface is not the greatest but as long as i use Roon it’ll be great. I will let you know as soon as it arrives in about a week. Cheers!
Stephen |
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Hi,
I just got the omnia S1 with my Terminator.
Cheers.
Richard
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I believe the Rockna Wavedream has I2S X2.
regards Bacardi |
2nd for Musical Pristina. While I haven't heard it, it's been at the top of my radar. They've built the whole streamer around i2s (HDMI).
I've got a Rockna Wavedream base model |
Thanks to all for the responses so far, and to rdoc for selling me the Terminator. Loving it thus far. Blows away the dac in my Node 2, as expected.
I ordered a Wireworld Gold starlight 7 digital coax cable. That should help. I’m hoping the suggestions appear at Axpona this year for me to check out. I’m really wanting to avoid the Matrix converter if possible but may end up there in the end..... |
@lxgreen What Bricasti model are you referring to? I found the M5 network player, but it didn't have I2S... |
I use a Magna Mano ULTRA streamer for exactly this reason. It uses the PS Audio spec for its I2S hdmi output. |
Musica Pristina A Capella has I2S HDMI with pin compatibility to Denafrips Terminator. |
Bricasti streamers with bridge uses I2S |
Having a streamer and dac with I2s does you no good if they are not pin compatible. The safest bet whether or not it is your preference is the Matrix as it is somewhat configurable. Audiotroy from what I understand about the Aqua version of I2S from owning a La Voce for four years is that at the present it is only compatible with their transport and uses an ethernet cable rather than the more common HDMI cable. The thousands of Directstream dac owners can only use the DMP with it via I2S direct. Any streamer requires the Matrix. |
My digital set-up includes an Antipodes DX server running Roon into a Metrum Ambre Roon endpoint. The Ambre has an I2S output and my Metrum Adagio has an I2S input in the same configuration. Metrum uses a regular Ethernet cable for their I2S so you may need a special cable with a compatible pin configuration. |
Cocktail audio has I2s also |
@snafujg Congratulations on your Denafrips Terminator. I recommend waiting for the Denafrips Digital to Digital Convertor. Release date unknown at this time.
USB Input is very good. I would use it until then.
FWIW, the Node and cabling being used are likely more of a limiting factor than the input choice. |
Very few companies use I2s as a digital interface, Rokna does, think that the Aqua Hifi streamer does and perhaps Sonore.
You would get great perfformance via USB and using an Innous server.
Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ |
