I’m very impressed with my Eversolo T8. Isolation, linear, features, app, Roon.
It is my first fore-ray into I2s and I am very satisfied with the simple implementation as apposed to early adopters of I2s.
–MD
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In Roon, we group the T8, the Eversolo Play and two rooms of the WiiM speaker. We use the T8 with USB with the Denafrips Terminator+.
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I’ve had the ps audio airlens for a year now and the only reason I got this is for the i2s output. Also, the i2s output is galvanized. I also think i2s is the best interface to a dac.
The airlens allows me to use Roon or Qobuz connect, which sounds better than Roon or audirvana.
If you are thinking about the airlens, make sure the i2s output is compatible with your dac. I have 2 ps audio dacs and it works beautifully with both of them
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Yes … this is the most important thing …
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Eversolo T8 is working/sounding great for me. I2S works flawlessly with LAIV Harmony DAC. There were no issues in plug and go. I switched to the USB output through LAIV ddc, so Shanling SACD output I2S also into ddc. My ears can’t hear the difference in music. High quality Audioquest USB and HDMI cables help.
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Hutchp, thank you for confirming that LAiV DAC works well with Eversolo T8. I could not find info on that. Appreciate it. I am using various high quality cables, but have not yet bought a short high quality HDMI cable for I2S - that will be next.
Could be a Fiio SR11
While the SR11 is a very nice, inexpensive network streamer, especially when used with Roon, it does not have an I2S output.
Denafrips Arce is a great choice if you’ve got Roon and you don’t need any other extra software. It’s barebones like the Halo Audio Red but built with higher quality parts like the Volumio Rivo Plus.
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Thank you, I did actually look at the Denafrips Arce, and you are right, it would be a great choice for Roon. But I use various streaming services, and Arce is just too limiting. I am going to go with Volumio Rivo Plus if I can find one in USA despite the lack of a display. It seems to offer great audio quality (when you add a good linear PS) and great software.
If anyone has a Volumio Rivo Plus for sale, please let me know. Thank you!
I use Volumio sometimes instead of Roon - it crashes and locks up often so keep the packaging and receipt
Hi @rfarassat,
My Matrix TT1 streamer has a display and a configurable I2S output port over HDMI.
If I2S is really a must (i prefer mostly USB), then a good option can also be to use e.g. a RPi together with a DDC (ok, the Holo Audio is more or less such a bundle), which has good isolation and reclocking integrated.
With my Holo Audio May (has only one USB in, but two I2S) I’ve compared with PLL enabled:
- Hifi Rose RS150 I2S directly through DVI → HDMI → May
- Hifi Rose RS150 USB → Matrix Audio X-SPDIF3 → HDMI → May
Locking (take care about PLL on in the May) tooks in the first case much longer, than in the second case, which indicates a worser signal.
Owning in the Singxer SU-2 also a cheaper DDC (also isolated). The very cheap SMSL PO100 I’ve also tested, but wasn’t here very satisfied.
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Maybe look into the Fiio SR15.
The Sonnet/Metrum Hermes is a Roon endpoint with I2S output as an option. This device uses a UTP cable instead of HDMI.
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Here’s what I use that (sounds like it) might fit your needs. Music direct is a good outfit.
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Have a look at a Sonnet Hermes. It has a perfunctory display, but it has I2S and it sounds very very good
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Might be worth looking at the Gustard S26 Music Server.
Its users seem to be impressed.
I2S kinda is, or is not a thing. I have the Holo RED with the May. I have tried both I2S and USB. 10 out of 10 visitors preferred the USB. It’s something you have to listen for yourself, and it depends a bit on the HDMI cable too. The quality and length matters. The shorter the better. In most modern digital setup, the DAC controls the timing of the stream. I2S came from a time when the transport and DAC were in the same closed system. Asynchronous vs Synchronous respectively, when you think about it USB makes more sense.
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