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Looking to improve CD playback

Ok, currently I am using a Arcam DV137 DVD player as a transport into a Bryston BDA-1 DAC via SPDIF coax.

I am considering the purchase of the Mirror Audio Tubador III DAC and the NuPrime CDT-8 dedicated CD transport. I have been keeping up with the threads regarding the Tubador DAC.

The Tubador can be purchased with I2S output via HDMI I believe this is an additional $400 cost to a $1500 DAC. The CDT-8 has I2S output via HDMI. I believe the general consensus is that I2S is the best interlink between digital components however have no personal experience using I2S. I know there are different connection types other than HDMI for I2S however lack knowledge about the benefits of any of the different types. I am looking for feedback on this DAC/Transport combination regarding benefits of the I2S connection provided.  

Obviously, I have options regarding timing of purchases. I could buy a the transport 1st and use SPDIF into my BDA-1 to explore the benefits of the CD only transport over my DVD player. I could purchase the Tubador without I2S at a later date. The Tubador could be updated with I2S at a later date if desired.  There are other transports available.

Any thoughts on this rather open ended question?  

  
mesch
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
I2S output via HDMI is the I2S format using an HDMI cable as opposed to a dedicated I2S cable. Same quality signal, some of the pins in the HDMI cable aren’t used. This is different than the HDMI format.
I2S is superior IME, the reason may be that power is separated from data. I had a PS Audio setup and preferred I2S.


mesch OP
3,481 posts
 
Thanks for the quick response lowrider. Yes, I figured that given HDMI was designed to transfer audio and video that all cables within were not needed. This would require that the same pins in transport and DAC be used for the digital data. I wonder how standard is this? I agree that there are likely benefits from separating power from audio data, as with USB, however there must be benefits to the removal of SPDIF/I2S conversion at the DAC. Not sure how that works from the transport. As I understand it, I2S is the way a digital signal is handled within the DAC process, 

I am one who tries to gain knowledge regarding the 'objective' aspects of putting together an audio system understanding full well that one must ultimately make and adhere to 'subjective' decisions toward that goal. Given that, I am motivated by the thinking that use of a NOS R2R DAC with CD playback might prove best and wanting a tube output stage in the DAC. Just wondering how much 'icing on the cake' is provided by I2S.     
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islandmandan
1,260 posts
 
I recently acquired an outboard DAC to use with my Arcam DV 139. I bought a Benchmark DAC 1 Pre for $500, and it just sounds killer.

It's all the DAC I'll ever need. Like you, I was wanting I2S, but wanting to spend less than it would take to get one. I'm very happy with the DAC 1.

Best of luck, regards,
Dan
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
i2s over HDMI is not an industry standard.  There are several vendors that use HDMI cable to transfer i2s, but that doesn't mean that any transport can be connected to any DAC using HDMI/i2s. 

For example, both Wyred4Sound and PS Audio have solutions that transfer i2s over an HDMI cable.  However, the pin configurations are completely different, which means that you cannot just connect a PS Audio transport to a Wyred4Sound DAC using i2 over HDMI.

Some companies also transfer i2s over an RJ45 cable (same as ethernet).  Their pin configurations may be different as well.

If you're really interested, I would check with the vendors on those products and ask them about their i2s/HDMI pin configurations to see if they are compatible.

You can always upgrade to different digital COAX cables and that will have a significant improvement as well.
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