HDMI cables for I2S


Are all HDMI cables compatible for I2S streaming on SACD transports? If not, what do I need to look for in an HDMI cable?

timyamasaki

All the standard HDMI cables are compatible.  That is why the users of I2S chose it.  The issue of compatibility comes into consideration in terms of the devices at either end of the cable.  There are several standards for those and one must insure that the source and target devices you choose are compatible with each other.

Thanx! I'm picking up a PS Audio PerfectWave SACD Player, and I have a Bryston BDA 3.14 D/A Converter.

No. Some are RJ45.

The onus is on you to verify compatible pins as there is NO standard.

@timyamasaki , congrats on the PST purchase. 

 

Please note that the I²S output of the PST over HDMI is not a typical multimedia HDMI port. It's I²S (Inter-IC Sound). It is not compatible with multimedia HDMI input found on the Bryston DAC / AVR. 

 

I²S has no industry standard. PSAudio is one of the first manufacturers adopted the use of I²S as the interconnection between transport/DAC. You may find I²S over HDMI and/or RJ45 connector. The voltage level of the I²S on the HDMI typically is LVDS; while I²S on the RJ45 is LVCMOS. 

 

You'd need a DAC that supports I²S input. An important note of I²S is that since it doesn't have an industry standard, you need to be sure of the compatibility. Naturally, the transport and the DAC from the same manufacturer will be compatible. 

 

Good article on I²S:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I²S
https://www.6moons.com/audioreviews2/i2s/1.html

 

Hope this helps!

 

Alvin Chee @ Vinshine Audio

 

Thanx for the info! That means I would have to purchase the PS Audio DirectStream DAC for 6k unless the PS Audio Stellar Strata or Gain Cell DAC has I2S compatibility. Since I2S uses gates in the active region for speed instead of saturation mode, I can see why LVDS is the logic level that is required. I vaguely remembered how all the different logic devices mathematically worked in my Digital Integrated Electronics class I took thirty-seven years ago.