Experience with Audio Alchemy DDS pro transport

Yup, it's the one with the Pioneer Stable Platter. Since Pioneers with this mechanism are rather common I could pick one up secondhand to use for spare-parts. The reason I'm interested in the Audio Alchemy is that I can get it for a good price, while the Northstar, which I like, is rather expensive.

Dusty Vawter of Channel Island Audio repaired and modded AA gear for quite some time. Check to see if he can help you.

Thnx, but since I'm living in Europe (Holland) it might be wiser to look for someone on my side of the ocean ;).

Satch,
I really liked the I2S connection. I had some upgraded I2S cables that were excellent. I think they were made by Audio Magic but I'm not sure since it was quite a long time ago. If you decide to go with I2S I'd recommend searching these cables out as they will be worth the effort.

Hi everyone

I've got a lot of questions about I2S connections.

Are I2S cables siginificantly better in terms of sound quality than regular digital coax?

Does one have to have a very high end system to realize the difference in SQ when I2S cables are used?

Does it matter where the I2S cables are placed in your system? Does it matter more to use the I2S cable from your transport to the digital signal processor or from the digital signal processor to the DAC?

The reason I ask is that I can't find reasonably priced I2S cables. I've only found Revelation Audio who charge $250/cable or April Music Stello I2S cables $195 per cable. Are there any other makers of I2S cables that aren't so pricey?

I've also got an Audio Alchemy DTI Pro 32 going to an AA DDE v1.1 and everything sounds good to me right now.

Thanks and advise when you can. JD