I2S between ifi neo stream and topping dx9?

[jpmomo]

I am trying to use the ifi neo stream as just a streamer. I want to use it's I2S output to my topping dx9 dac (via it's I2S).
The ifi neo doesn't seem to have any adjustments to the I2S interface. The topping does but I couldn't get any combo to work.
I tried a few standard hdmi cables. I also ordered an hdmi that was listed as I2S LVDS and will see if I have any better luck with that cable.

Another option would be the matrix audio element S. That streamer does have some settings for it's I2S interface so I might have more luck with that combo.
The only issue is I am not sure where I can purchase and return if it doesn't work without having to pay any restocking type fees.

I am only looking to steam tidal into the dx9 which has a nice dac and good headphone amp but no streamer.

any suggestions much appreciated!

 

[staticV3]

Hi @jpmomo! Welcome to ASR.

I'm afraid there's nothing to gain by using the iFi's i2s output instead of USB or SPDIF, to connect the DX9.

All that you're doing is disabling the DX9's excellent internal clocking and forcing yourself to troubleshoot a finicky i2s connection.

It's all the headaches, with no benefits whatsoever.

Even if you succeed in creating an i2s connection between the streamer and your DX9, the sound quality will not change.

 

[jpmomo]

Thanks for the quick reply and advice! only 10148 more messages and I will be caught up to you!

I was originally trying to just add a streamer as the dx9 does not have any nor wifi or lan. I assumed that the path of least "monkeying" with the signal would be the I2S. The SPDIF would potentially limit the resolution of some signals. The usb should have the same limits with regards to sampling/frequency as the I2S but was told that the usb would do an additional conversion to the "bits" vs the I2S.

If the I2S would force the clocking back onto the streamer (ifi), would the usb use the clocking of the dx9?

If that is the case, do you have any recommendations for a streamer to pair with the dx9?
thanks again for the warm welcome!

 

[dlovesmusic]

Thanks for the quick reply and advice! only 10148 more messages and I will be caught up to you!

I was originally trying to just add a streamer as the dx9 does not have any nor wifi or lan. I assumed that the path of least "monkeying" with the signal would be the I2S. The SPDIF would potentially limit the resolution of some signals. The usb should have the same limits with regards to sampling/frequency as the I2S but was told that the usb would do an additional conversion to the "bits" vs the I2S.

If the I2S would force the clocking back onto the streamer (ifi), would the usb use the clocking of the dx9?

If that is the case, do you have any recommendations for a streamer to pair with the dx9?
thanks again for the warm welcome!

If you already have the neo stream, just use the usb output to your dac and you are done

 

[jpmomo]

Just in case anyone else needs to go down this path, I was able to get the I2S interface working with a standard hdmi cable.

The trick was to set the source on the ifi to digit (as opposed to dx9 for the usb) and in some cases set the IIS filter to either off or low.

On my system there was no perceivable difference. I am considering a hifirose rs130 which would add some useability in addition to some potential sonic improvement.

 

[phofman]

but was told that the usb would do an additional conversion to the "bits" vs the I2S.

Well then what you were told was not correct.

That streamer runs linux (android?) on RK3328 SoC, exactly https://en.t-firefly.com/product/coreboard/core_3328_jd4. I2S output is taken directly from the SoC through a simple LVDS driver. That means the I2S is clocked from some PLL-ed clock inside RK3328.

USB UAC2 will pass the exactly same data/bits as I2S, the bitstream pace dictated by a clock of the XMOS receiver in DX9. XMOS will output I2S, just like the I2S of the Ifi.

Then this I2S will enter the digital-filter part of the AK4499EQ combo, and that chip will asynchronously resample the incoming stream to the pace of the precise master clock by the DAC. The async resampling does mitigate the incoming jitter effect to some extent, but by principle cannot eliminate 100% of the effect. I would guess the local XMOS I2S jitter being considerably lower than that of the SoC-generated I2S transported through the long cable via LVDS. But in the end most likely an inaudible difference though.

 

[LETRA]

One streamer that is 100% I2S compatible with Topping DX9 is the Eversolo A8.

 

[rs172]

I am trying to use the ifi neo stream as just a streamer. I want to use it's I2S output to my topping dx9 dac (via it's I2S).
The ifi neo doesn't seem to have any adjustments to the I2S interface. The topping does but I couldn't get any combo to work.
I tried a few standard hdmi cables. I also ordered an hdmi that was listed as I2S LVDS and will see if I have any better luck with that cable.

Another option would be the matrix audio element S. That streamer does have some settings for it's I2S interface so I might have more luck with that combo.
The only issue is I am not sure where I can purchase and return if it doesn't work without having to pay any restocking type fees.

I am only looking to steam tidal into the dx9 which has a nice dac and good headphone amp but no streamer.

any suggestions much appreciated!

When using headphones, I usually connect my DX9 to my PC
So I bought a small DDC (60 dollars) from smsl named: PO100 pro.
I don't know why, but using I2S into the Topping DX9 sounds a bit more refined, meaning, less grainy in the treble (maybe the USB implementation is not perfect on the topping since there shouldn't have been any difference)
In order to be sure I tested it in a blind test and could distinguish 10/10 times using headphones. In my loudspeakers stereo setup I use a Singxer SU-6 DDC

 

[BDWoody]

I don't know why, but using I2S into the Topping DX9 sounds a bit more refined, meaning, less grainy in the treble (maybe the USB implementation is not perfect on the topping since there shouldn't have been any difference)
In order to be sure I tested it in a blind test

Can you describe your methodology, particularly how you matched levels and did the switching?

 

[rs172]

Can you describe your methodology, particularly how you matched levels and did the switching?

First of all I verified there is no volume difference between the inputs by measuring decibels with a microphone connected to my headphones (although I know its not 100% accurate but pretty close.
Then, I requested my daughter to randomly change inputs on the fly while listening to a track (some times remaining in the same input)
The difference is not huge by any means but through USB, the treble is a bit less refined, a bit more grainy though still sounds great in my opinion.

 

[phofman]

but through USB, the treble is a bit less refined, a bit more grainy

Absolutely no statement, just a suggestion of thought - maybe a bit of jitter from long-distance I2S may "smooth out" the trebles compared to lower-jitter I2S from the local USB receiver...

 

[rs172]

Absolutely no statement, just a suggestion of thought - maybe a bit of jitter from long-distance I2S may "smooth out" the trebles compared to lower-jitter I2S from the local USB receiver...

The hdmi cable is 0.5 meters long.
By the way, never heard of long distance jitter smoothing the treble, never knew that phenomena can occur.
I'm sure that there is an explanation out there, but at the end of the day, what matters to me is the sound output which is gorgeous while using USB and I2S