@richardbrand, totally agree with using I2S with HDMI. I2S is really LVDS with so many different pinouts, far better to use an RJ45 instead of the crappy and temperamental HDMI connector, let alone the cable properties with so many cores and cross talk.
SACD Player/Transport Choices
I am planning to acquire a McIntosh MCT500 to go with my C53 (proprietary MCT connection). But I am wondering if there are other good SACD transport choices that will send a true DSD stream to an external DAC on a non-proprietary basis, either through USB or I2S. I’m trying to research this, but it’s difficult to find definitive answers regarding the actual digital stream from SACD - often I discover that the stream is converted to PCM. I do know PSAudio has a scheme similar to McIntosh.
I realize simply purchasing DSD and streaming from an SSD is probably more practical these days. But I am sort of fixated on a physical disc player. Budget-wise, most interested in transports around or below that of the MCT500 (~$5K). Thanks for your thoughts and advice.
- ...
- 73 posts total
I’ve excerpt this from Onix’s literature easily obtainable with a simple search or https://onixhiend.co.uk/introducing-onix-zenith-xst20/ I have underlined statements here you should take note of... "FPGA-Assisted I2S Output While many audiophiles are looking for a reliable I2S transport for their High-End DACs, the lack of standardization in this part of market would previously cause many compatibility issues. However, our Zenith XST20 features special hardware that allows switching between 10 I2S pinout modes, significantly expanding its compatibility to virtually all I2S DACs on the market." Seems to imply with the use of their Field Programable Gate Array are able in some cases configure the output to circumvent Sony’s copyright protection and scheme and possibly make the XST20 compatible with other DAC’s. There may be some wrinkle in copyright law that lets them attempt that but we’ll see if Sony tries to intervene or not. |
I use my Esoteric X-05 as transport to my external dac except when playing sacd. When playing sacd the Esoteric uses its own dac. Esoteric has both single end and balanced outputs so its easy to switch source. Used a Krell KPS 30i as transport before Esoteric but the advantages of beeing able to play sacds without another "box" in the main setup won. The Krell serves as transport in my second setup now and does it very well (recapped and serviced 1 and 1/2 year ago). Conclusion: I can recommend both Esoteric and Krell as transports. Neither of them will play sacds when used "only" as transports. |
- 73 posts total