HDMI Switch for I2S signals between DAC and Network streamer or CD-player ?

[nUUK25]

Hello,

I have a network player: SMSL SD-9 with I2S HDMI outlet and a Topping DAC: D90SE with I2S HDMI inlet. I can playback DSF files nicely from a Harddisk in a HDD Docking station. I plan to buy a CD player: Shanling ET3, with I2S out, so...... I am one I2S inlet short on the DAC. I need a switch box with HDMI inlets and outlets that can do the job. Does any of you know about such a HDMI switch box ? I take it that all 19 wires/pins in the HDMI box must me connected evenly through out the switch.
There are lots of HDMI switch boxes for Video/audio on the market, but the two (one without external PSU and one with) I have tried so far do not work in this I2S context !!

 

[AnalogSteph]

I'm not exactly surprised. I2S over HDMI doesn't even have a standardized pinout, and I bet an HDMI switch does a lot more than just being a dumb switch (it might contain an IC like this). I2S seems to be using differential signalling with 3V-CMOS-alike levels, which seems kind of similar to TMDS electrically but obviously wouldn't be using the same encoding and data format.

In a DIY design you could probably get away with using a bunch of 74HC4052s (or 53s) for switching, the signals aren't exactly particularly fast. That would never work for actual TMDS video (well, maybe at very low resolutions).

 

[nUUK25]

Thanks Analogsteph,
I though it would be up-hill !!
I might resort to an extension HDMI (Male/Female) 50 cm so all the tear will be there when I change input unit and not directly on the HDMI inlet on the DAC. It's also the leaset expensive solution.

 

[phofman]

@nUUK25 : Your DAC supports UAC2 USB input and SPDIF/AES input. Your network player has USB output and the linux running inside has alsa UAC2 drivers (the best choice, DAC is the clock master). Your CD player has SPDIF/AES output (the differential-line AES being a very good choice). Why the hassle with suboptimal I2S, offered as a hype for audiophiles? Just switch the inputs on your DAC.

 

[nUUK25]

Thanks phofman,
I'll test all the obtions for outlet / inlet and see what it will bring along - thanks !