SACD - Imported HDMI DAC RH-899X PCM or DIY DSD Board solution

[Bwmr]

Just in case you haven't read the 2 threads below. They deal with this similar subject, you might find the information you need.

Possible solution for DTS/Dolby/Atmos+eARC+HDCP to AES/EBU - via Dante? (for Okto DAC8PRO etc)

I've been trying to find something similar to the Arvus HDMI-2A or H2-4D. Ultimately to see if consumer multichannel sources like blu ray players, Apple TVs etc could be sent from HDMI-/+eARC into the XLR AES digital inputs of an Okto DAC8 Pro while not having to fret about HDCP, support eARC...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Audio extractor recommendations for SACD (DSD) via HDMI to RME DAC?

Hello All, I've been using the search function and reading as much as I can find on the topic and was hoping to ask for recommendations. I have a Sony Blu-Ray player BDP-S6500, which the web tells me, will play SACD and output DSD via its HDMI out (it only has HDMI and coax outputs, nothing...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[linuxfan]

Getting technical, but i could ground the DAC internally

I recommend against this. Modern unbalanced audio systems expect the source device(s) to have floating ground, and there should be a single ground at the amplifier via a cap/resistor. If you establish a ground on your source device(s) you run the risk of a ground loop.
If you are concerned about RFI shielding, correct practice is to connect the earth pin at your house power plug to your DAC chassis
... or an alternative approach is to run an earth cable from your DAC chassis to your SACD player chassis.

i need to check other things. The NE5532 op-amp

I expect that cheap DAC board would be provided with a Chinese clone of an NE5532. Don't bother changing to anything else - surely they have provided something that actually works.
And as @Roland68 mentioned, don't expect that DAC board to have decent performance, anyway.

SMSL SU-2 would likely be a great option to pair with an HDMI audio extractor board, especially since it supports DoP64

Yes, add this model to the list of potential DACs in post #24.

 

[hal9999]

I recommend against this. Modern unbalanced audio systems expect the source device(s) to have floating ground, and there should be a single ground at the amplifier via a cap/resistor. If you establish a ground on your source device(s) you run the risk of a ground loop.
If you are concerned about RFI shielding, correct practice is to connect the earth pin at your house power plug to your DAC chassis
... or an alternative approach is to run an earth cable from your DAC chassis to your SACD player chassis.


I expect that cheap DAC board would be provided with a Chinese clone of an NE5532. Don't bother changing to anything else - surely they have provided something that actually works.
And as @Roland68 mentioned, don't expect that DAC board to have decent performance, anyway.


Yes, add this model to the list of potential DACs in post #24.

Yea iv been looking at this more objectively for a while. And i take everything @Roland68 , and you have said. I havent taken the plunge on anything yet.

Of course, as I should have expected the DIY route would present difficulties, and there is a spot of mission creep here on my part. The sane, stable way to do this is the obvious one. Two devices, the extractor and the DAC. And with the SU1 (for PCM), and the SU2/PS200PRO (DoP64) being available with excellent performance; Really the DIY route is looking more and more like a novelty.

The only DIY routes im now entertaining would be the I-Sabre and Sabre Evo - and the Wishcolor Dual ES9038Q2M. Again, as before, on paper it looks good. But:
- Cant find enough info on the Wishcolor, which is more budget friendly for the board at least
- Power supply for the Wishcolor will push it toward I-Sabre price level
- The casing i had intended to use (which i own) - would be unsuitable for either board.
- The pricing at this level, for I-Sabre (or EVO) would begin to push toward the 400 euro level
- If i had the budget for that, i would throw an extra 100 odd euro at this project and just buy a SMSL DO300 wirth native I2S (over hdmi standard socket-external)

So its mission creep, versus budget. What ever way i spin it, the DIY route is looking pricey, and far more risky in terms of quality than i had accounted for. In reality a HDMI DOP extractor, connected to a DOP capable PS200PRO or SU-2, is better value, and i know it works.

im still reading around the topic. But yea, I hold my hands up. DIY maybe a non starter for this project. It would be fun, and the temptation is there especially with the SABRE-EVO - full streamer, raspberry pi, headless, etc - but i cant justify it for now

 

[linuxfan]

The only DIY routes im now entertaining would be the I-Sabre and Sabre Evo
...
The pricing at this level, for I-Sabre (or EVO) would begin to push toward the 400 euro level

Wow, your project started out being bargain basement, now you are talking about 400 Euro!
Also I'm hearing about the involvement of a Raspberry Pi for the first time. If you are seriously entertaining the idea of file-based playback, would that not be a good starting point to abandon the idea of spinning physical SACD's, and instead rip them to dsf files?

If you eventually decide to go down this path, please check out my rPi setup running Lyrion -
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...yrion-server-player-plus-network-share.71177/
As you will see, it's fully DSD-compatible.

 

[Gorgonzola]

There's been a lot of discussion here that I haven't the patience to read, however I had some discussion with Gemini on the subject.

That AI confirmed that THIS device available on AliExpress will do the extraction from HDMI and output the audio signal via I2S. It appears to use a similar board the OP mentioned in his initial post ...

 

[hal9999]

Wow, your project started out being bargain basement, now you are talking about 400 Euro!
Also I'm hearing about the involvement of a Raspberry Pi for the first time. If you are seriously entertaining the idea of file-based playback, would that not be a good starting point to abandon the idea of spinning physical SACD's, and instead rip them to dsf files?

If you eventually decide to go down this path, please check out my rPi setup running Lyrion -
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...yrion-server-player-plus-network-share.71177/
As you will see, it's fully DSD-compatible.

Well thats the reason i have stepped back from the DIY route. Certainly it was well intentioned to start with; as issues became apparent RE DAC boards and such, i began looking for more capable DAC boards for integration into a single box solution. This become more and more complicated, and expensive.

As to the 400 euro tag - its a hypothetical in my mind. If i wanted to build a unit that was a streamer, file playback vehicle, and DAC for use with my BDP player for SACD - that would be the way to go. It would be the Sabre Evo with integrated HDMI-I2S Extractor connected internally.

The obvious reason im not jumping on; I dont need most of that, i already have it

• My Majority Fitzwilliam 3 is a basic streamer, and connected to the ZD3 it sounds fantastic. Despite complaints by other users, it works for me as a radio, MP3 playback transport via USB Stick, and spotify interface.
• The ZD3 gives me bluetooth.
• My Fanless Dell 3050 MFF (upgraded CPU, underclocked, with beefier Copper Heatsink, 2 SSDs) is a perfect playback vehicle for DSD files. Ultimately i expect it to replace the Fitzy- Fullfills all the same functions, but with DSD (Dsf, WV, DFF) playback via the ZD3 over USB. The ZD3 setup was tedious at first, but it now plays cleanly, and the ZD3 correctly displays the source format; If its DSF, DFF, or WV, it displays DSD 64. I can and likely will replace the OS (MINT XFCE Stripped down) with a headless system at some stage. Control it via smartphone etc
• The investigation and planning for this project was entirely for the purpose of getting my Sony BluRay connected to my HiFi for SACD playback (TV HDMI-HDMI ARC wont work) - I have the Sony player that supports SACD but has no analogue Output

If you eventually decide to go down this path, please check out my rPi setup running Lyrion -
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...yrion-server-player-plus-network-share.71177/
As you will see, it's fully DSD-compatible.

Epic stuff. Looks great and iv heard wonderful reports on the PI side of DIY Audio. Love to see more, if you have documented the project elsewhere, maybe give me a link!

The entire project morphed into mission creep. Thats how we got from 80 euro for an extractor and DAC board - to possibly 400 euro - madness on my part, but its part of the hobby i guess.

There's been a lot of discussion here that I haven't the patience to read, however I had some discussion with Gemini on the subject.

That AI confirmed that THIS device available on AliExpress will do the extraction from HDMI and output the audio signal via I2S. It appears to use a similar board the OP mentioned in his initial post ...

Yea there are the two versions of the that board. Keeping it simple, the DOP and NON DOP versions. Non Dop is cheaper, and available in europe, while DOP requires shipping from china so.

Sorry you lost patience, i dont blame you. It turned into a thought experiment, and fairly interesting discussion, to me at least. But not for everyone i guess

 

[Roland68]

Yea iv been looking at this more objectively for a while. And i take everything @Roland68 , and you have said. I havent taken the plunge on anything yet.

Of course, as I should have expected the DIY route would present difficulties, and there is a spot of mission creep here on my part. The sane, stable way to do this is the obvious one. Two devices, the extractor and the DAC. And with the SU1 (for PCM), and the SU2/PS200PRO (DoP64) being available with excellent performance; Really the DIY route is looking more and more like a novelty.

The only DIY routes im now entertaining would be the I-Sabre and Sabre Evo - and the Wishcolor Dual ES9038Q2M. Again, as before, on paper it looks good. But:
- Cant find enough info on the Wishcolor, which is more budget friendly for the board at least
- Power supply for the Wishcolor will push it toward I-Sabre price level
- The casing i had intended to use (which i own) - would be unsuitable for either board.
- The pricing at this level, for I-Sabre (or EVO) would begin to push toward the 400 euro level
- If i had the budget for that, i would throw an extra 100 odd euro at this project and just buy a SMSL DO300 wirth native I2S (over hdmi standard socket-external)

So its mission creep, versus budget. What ever way i spin it, the DIY route is looking pricey, and far more risky in terms of quality than i had accounted for. In reality a HDMI DOP extractor, connected to a DOP capable PS200PRO or SU-2, is better value, and i know it works.

im still reading around the topic. But yea, I hold my hands up. DIY maybe a non starter for this project. It would be fun, and the temptation is there especially with the SABRE-EVO - full streamer, raspberry pi, headless, etc - but i cant justify it for now

Then just take the plunge and get a Loxjie D40 Pro; at the current sale price of €224, it’s an absolute bargain.
It boasts excellent reviews and measurements, an ES9039MS Pro flagship DAC, and 9 x OPA1612 op-amps. Digital inputs include AES, I2S over LVDS/HDMI, Toslink, SPDIF, and Bluetooth. It features the latest XMOS XU316 USB interface (supporting up to 32-bit/768 kHz and DSD512), DoP64 support for optical and coaxial connections, a balanced output, and a powerful, high-quality headphone amplifier (including balanced output)—plus a remote control and volume control.
That offer likely won't last much longer.

If you want to play your music via a Raspberry Pi, all you need is a Zero 2 WH for €20 connected via USB.

 

[linuxfan]

My Fanless Dell 3050 MFF

A very good choice of hardware for a music server.

if you have documented the project elsewhere, maybe give me a link!

https://craigsaudio.blogspot.com/2026/04/raspberry-pi-5-lyrion-01.html

 

[bigLP]

There are very capable Sony disc players with analog outs that do SACD. I just sold a bdp h1 for 70 bucks on eBay. It sounded just like my 999es to me. Your pre amp has analog inputs. This seems much easier than what is being discussed. How about an old playstation1? I was an early adopter of SACD. I abandoned SACD early. 24/96 or 192 files sounded better to me and FLAC easier to deal with.

 

[Rockin'Rosie]

'SUPER SACD HACK'

I wanted to donate a working blueprint to the community for anyone trying to extract native DSD/I2S from a budget Blu-ray transport into a desktop DAC. I’m calling this the SUPER SACD HACK.

Full Disclosure: I am not an engineer, and I don't have measuring equipment. This project was a mix of early research (contacting the board manufacturer about pinouts) and a massive stroke of good luck that I got it right early on. I won't be able to answer highly technical questions about jitter boundaries, charts, or alternative transport compatibility—I just wanted to document a definitive, verified chain that works flawlessly and sounds incredible to my ears.

Here is the exact plug-and-play blueprint:

[COMPONENT CHAIN] 1. Transport: Sony UBP-X800 Blu-ray Player 2. Interconnect 1: 18-inch Quad-Shielded OFC Copper Cable (Sony to Converter Box) 3. Converter Box: "HDMI/MHL Interface Separate Extract I2S/Optic Fiber/Coaxial HDMI To I2S/IIS xr#" 4. Power Supply: iFi iPower SilentPower AC/DC Adapter (5V 2.5A) 5. Interconnect 2: 18-inch Quad-Shielded OFC Copper Cable (Carrying the I2S signal to DAC) 6. DAC: SMSL DO200 MKII (Dual ES9068AS / XMOS XU316) 7. Analog Out: RCA Interconnects

I hope someone duplicates my Franken-player and comments on my triumph or failing.

 

[linuxfan]

I wanted to donate a working blueprint to the community for anyone trying to extract native DSD/I2S from a budget Blu-ray transport into a desktop DAC.

That's commendable, but for the record the system chain that you describe, and which is under discussion in this forum thread, was tested and confirmed working on the PS Audio forum as far back as 2017 -
https://www.psaudio.com/pages/commu...o-dsd-output-to-the-direct-stream-dac/2744/53

 

[Roland68]

'SUPER SACD HACK'

I wanted to donate a working blueprint to the community for anyone trying to extract native DSD/I2S from a budget Blu-ray transport into a desktop DAC. I’m calling this the SUPER SACD HACK.

Full Disclosure: I am not an engineer, and I don't have measuring equipment. This project was a mix of early research (contacting the board manufacturer about pinouts) and a massive stroke of good luck that I got it right early on. I won't be able to answer highly technical questions about jitter boundaries, charts, or alternative transport compatibility—I just wanted to document a definitive, verified chain that works flawlessly and sounds incredible to my ears.

Here is the exact plug-and-play blueprint:

[COMPONENT CHAIN] 1. Transport: Sony UBP-X800 Blu-ray Player 2. Interconnect 1: 18-inch Quad-Shielded OFC Copper Cable (Sony to Converter Box) 3. Converter Box: "HDMI/MHL Interface Separate Extract I2S/Optic Fiber/Coaxial HDMI To I2S/IIS xr#" 4. Power Supply: iFi iPower SilentPower AC/DC Adapter (5V 2.5A) 5. Interconnect 2: 18-inch Quad-Shielded OFC Copper Cable (Carrying the I2S signal to DAC) 6. DAC: SMSL DO200 MKII (Dual ES9068AS / XMOS XU316) 7. Analog Out: RCA Interconnects

I hope someone duplicates my Franken-player and comments on my triumph or failing.

Old topic; for years, there have been countless posts and many threads regarding HDMI-to-I2S converters.