2. digital
  3. 125438-2935

Is an I2S cable a Cat 5, 6 or 7 Ethernet cable, or are they two different beasts?

This may be a silly question, I don't know.  If they're the same, why do they use the term I2S instead of Ethernet?  If they're different, what's the difference? 

I'm talking about using it between my NAS --> router --> Lumin Network Music Player. 

Thanks!
illuminator
ahendler
416 posts
 
But of course you can use  CAT 5/6/7 cables for I2S connection 
Alan
pmotz
413 posts
 
Ahendler, if the manufacturer uses an RJ45 connector for outputting/inputting their I2S data, then yes you can use a CAT 5/6/7 cable. Otherwise, no you can't, the connectors are incompatible.  Could you use CAT 5/6/7 wire with an HDMI connector?  Maybe.  CAT 5/6/7 has 8 conducting wires, and HDMI cable has 19, but when used in the I2S application I don't think they use anywhere near 19 wires to transmit the data.  Not sure why someone would do this, but it could be done.
ahendler
416 posts
 
I2S uses 2 wires for data and 2 wires for power. My Audio-GD Master 7 can come with I2S using HDMI connectors or J45. The problem with a HDMI cable is it has to be wire in a certain way to work with the dac. The J45 connector does not have that problem.
Alan
Post removed 
pmotz
413 posts
 
Ahendler, I stand corrected!  Never heard of using an RJ45 connector for that purpose, but now I know at least one does.  Not sure what source uses the RJ45, didn't see one on the Audio GD site, but must be at least one.  I will say a lot of people get confused by the HDMI connector thinking it is an HDMI connection when it is not.  Same problem with an RJ45 and computer networks, hopefully no damage occurs when improperly hooked up.    

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