Sorry, don’t have any further recommendations for an HDMI cable, but what are your impressions of using the U18 with your R26 DAC so far as I think you just recently added it?
Which HDMI cable for I2S?
I'm currently using an inexpensive 12 inch long Monoprice cable to connect my dac to a Gustard U18 interface. Honestly, it sounds quite good.
I don't want to buy a pricey cable, but maybe something by DH Labs, etc.
There are some deals on older cables that meet HDMI 1.3, 1.4, or 2.0 standards. I know these standards are for video. Would all of them work for I2S digital audio? Would the higher standard HDMI 2.1 be better?
@soix I'm very pleased with the addition. I'm hearing a little more detail/clarity and realism. I've been listening to my familiar music and I'm hearing more of the quiet subtle instruments. There's no additional harshness or edginess that you sometimes get with additional detail like I've experienced with certain cables. I suck at describing sound. Lol. It was a worthwhile addition to my Gustard R26 dac. |
I have found that the Audioquest HDMI cables perform very well and have quality connectors that fit snug and make good contact. Mine are all employed as video, but in my opinion, audio or video, it’s all digital. So I doubt it makes any difference, although I am sure there will be opposition to my statement, I am just expressing my opinion based on experience and what I learned at seminars at audio shows. Most dealers will let you take home a cable to try, that would allow you to hear for yourself. |
I use AFTERDARK. BLACK MAGIC MKII CARBON FIBER SHIELDING (CFS) I2S HDMI CABLE between my DAC and transport. Designed specifically for digital audio. Hand made in Asia somewhere. I think it sounds better than an off the shelf do everything HDMI cable but my experience is limited. About $230.00 USD. Lawrence From MI |
I bought a DH Labs cable when I first got my DAC and server. I then bought a Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy CryoSilver Reference cable. Both my server and DAC have 2 i2s connections, so it was super easy to A/B them. I'm a bit of a cable skeptic, but there was a noticeable difference in sound quality between the two with the RAL having a clear edge. |
I use an HDMI cable with the I2S connection between my DAC and CD transport. Except for speaker cables, I’ve found that no other cable changes the sound more than digital cables. (Same was true between my DAC and streamer as well, but the streamer does not offer an I2S connection.) I really did not expect digital cables to make as significant a difference as they actually do… I must have tried about half a dozen various cables until I landed on the cheapest of the bunch - WireWorld Chroma. About $60 for a meter length. Other cables included more expensive WireWorld and AudioQuest models. Of course much depends upon individual system synergies, but the Chroma just has more moxie to my ears. More dynamic and engaging. Makes my ears perk up. I have not tried DH Labs HDMI cables, but have used their interconnects elsewhere in my system. Definitely a company worth a try and curious about your observations. Happy listening, all.
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I did this for giggles the other night and could not tell much, if any, difference. The same happened when I did A/B with the DH Labs vs. Revelation Audio Labs cable. I currently have some rather laid back speakers in my system, so it could be that it's a matter of the system not being revealing enough at the moment to clearly delineate the differences, that my ears weren't up to the task, or that when I first bought the Revelation Audio Labs cable, confirmation bias kicked in. What fun hobby! If there's anything you might be able to takeaway, it's that your system needs to be pretty revealing for differences like that to be noticeable. With my KEF Reference 1 speakers in the system, the difference between the DH Labs and Revelation Audio Labs cables was clearly noticeable, and I did the comparison on more than one occasion. |
@big_greg Interesting. Thanks for sharing the results of your experiment. I'm still waiting on the DH Labs cable to arrive. I think my system is revealing enough, but it won't surprise me if I don't hear a difference. I'm not one to like something just to validate my purchase. I've got a box full of cables that I purchased and didn't like. |