2. cables
  3. 190701-188029

Which HDMI cable for I2S?

I'm currently using an inexpensive 12 inch long Monoprice cable to connect my dac to a Gustard U18 interface. Honestly, it sounds quite good.

I don't want to buy a pricey cable, but maybe something by DH Labs, etc. 

There are some deals on older cables that meet HDMI 1.3, 1.4, or 2.0 standards. I know these standards are for video. Would all of them work for I2S digital audio? Would the higher standard HDMI 2.1 be better? 

sls883
baylinor's avatar
baylinor
1,424 posts
 

@sls833

Yes, It connects the Gustard U18 to the Gustard X26 PRO. I placed it on my TV first which my wife runs 24/7 to do the break-in. Huge improvement after a couple weeks of that. Great value for I2s.

sls883 OP
382 posts
 

@baylinor

Interesting. I have a DH Labs cable ordered. I may give the Purist Audio cable a try. 

rajugsw
217 posts
 

I run Audioquest Cinnamon cause they are built well and look cool. Build quality is what counts WRT to HDMI cables. A $5 "Wal-Mart" cable will sound no different than $500 HDMI cable. But the $5 Dollar cable will fall apart over time. The $50 - $500 shouldn't !

big_greg
6,644 posts
 

I bought a DH Labs cable when I first got my DAC and server.  I then bought a Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy CryoSilver Reference cable.  Both my server and DAC have 2 i2s connections, so it was super easy to A/B them.  I'm a bit of a cable skeptic, but there was a noticeable difference in sound quality between the two with the RAL having a clear edge. 

baylinor's avatar
baylinor
1,424 posts
 

Every I2s cable I have has a different sound. More power to the people who can't hear a difference.

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