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Hermes DDC + Wandla DAC

I purchased a Denafrips Hermes DDC.  All of the digital outs work OK with my Ferrum Wandla DAC except the I2S.  The DAC reports no signal no matter which of the eight possible pin out combinations of the Hermes is used in combination with either of the Wandla I2S options.  The Denafrips Iris DDC works OK with the Wandla via I2S; the same pin out combination that works with the Iris does not work with the Hermes.  I am trying to determine if the Hermes is defective or if there is something I don't understand about I2S compatibility.  I am in contact with the support teams from Denafrips and Ferrum but nothing useful yet.  Any ideas or ways to test the Hermes I2S port apart from using the Wandla?  Thanks!

drkenl
soix
9,597 posts
 

It’s possible the pin connections for I2S are incompatible between Hermes and your DAC.  Unfortunately there currently is no standard I2S connection that hopefully will be reconciled soon.  AES/EBU is a good alternative if you can’t get I2S to work.  Best of luck. 

jastralfu's avatar
jastralfu
420 posts
 

You might need to cycle through the I2S pin settings.  See if this helps:

 

jastralfu's avatar
jastralfu
420 posts
 

Sorry just reread your post and saw that you did cycle through the Hermes pin settings.  Can you cycle thru the Wandla pin settings?  In the video I attached above Alvin said something about some hdmi cables not working at all with the Denafrips and I2S output so it might be your cable.

drkenl OP
1 posts
 

I've tried all the possible pin/options combinations for the Hermes/Wandla with no success.  The HDMI cable works Ok with the Iris/Wandla combination so it shouldn't be a problem, but maybe I will try a different HDMI cable to be sure.

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