Why are there no DACs with hdmi input ?

[wwenze]

Im not saying that’s wrong. But if it’s the case, how come we see so many cheap HDMI extractors? They’re a hugely niche product, so I can’t believe they sell in large quantities. And, given their low price, you’d have to sell a lot to pay back the fees and make them viable.

Do you see the cheap ones from well-known brands, or from somewhere in China where laws can't touch?

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

Do you see the cheap ones from well-known brands, or from somewhere in China where laws can't touch?

Well...on sale at Amazon UK.

 

[MaxBuck]

The Bluesound NODE has HDMI input. It works beautifully to take digital audio from my TV and send it to my amp and speakers.

I understand that this won't be a good solution for someone not looking also to add streaming, but it's been very useful for my purposes.

 

[Berwhale]

The T+A Solitaire HA 200 Headphone Amplifier has 3 HDMI inputs (2 stereo and 1 ARC) and is a snip at only £6,600...

T+A Solitaire HA 200 Headphone Amplifier

T + A's first headphone amplifier is a new and ground-breaking development in which the analogue amplifier section, the converter section and also the case mechanics operate to perfection.

petertyson.co.uk

 

[Michael1977]

Save your money, buy a decent Class-D amp as digital is and has been the way forward for quite a while now.

 

[bobrapoport]

Essence Audio has one also.

Yes, Essence For Hi Res Audio manufactures 2 HDMI DACs, one for stereo, the other for multichannel sources. The HDACC II-4K sells for $649, includes 4 HDMI 4K inputs and one 4K HDMI output that sends the video signal to your 4K TV. The XLR and RCA analog outputs feed your audio system. It also includes USB in, Optical and Coaxial in/outs, one analog input with built-in ADC for vinyl or tape sources. Essence uses genuine Silicon Image HDMI chips for the highest reliability, includes remote control and a useful OLED display with sample rate detector for sources. For more info, click to learn more: https://www.essenceelectrostatic.co...-preamp-headphone-amp-for-4k-sources-and-tvs/

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

The upcoming WiiM Ultra has an HDMI in. It’s likely to have a very good DAC, almost certainly transparent, as well as digital out(s).

On top of that you’ll be getting one of the best streamers on the market, 10-band PEQ, room correction, and a sub out with bass management.

Might not be what you’re looking for, but it’s an option.

 

[mcdonalk]

Fortunately or unfortunately (depending on one's point of view), there's only one product that will meet my DAC preferences. These preferences are:

1) >/= 2 optical "toslink" inputs
2) HDMI for SACD playback from external transport
3) native DSD processing with no DoP transport layer
4) decent warranty from an established stable company
5) home audition period with "no questions" return policy
6) direct access to technical staff

The only product that I have been able to find so far is the DAC included in the Bryston BR-20 streaming preamp.

(The Bryston BDA-3 DAC, although much less expensive, has HDMI inputs but has only one optical input.)

The solution to my requirements does not come cheap, unfortunately. My feature preferences aside, I have had disappointing experiences with cheap commodity products (e.g. Topping D90 DAC), and I just don't care to expose myself to any more frustration with disposable non-repairable products from non-responsive or inaccessible companies. I like products that function reliably, and I like dealing with companies with available articulate technical support that make sure the product functions reliably, and I like getting exactly what I want (who doesn't?). If I go for the BR-20, it will be the first Bryston product that I have ever owned, and it will be integrated into my system, some of the components of which are 30 years old. A wise person once advised me that buying "the best" usually ends up being an economical option in the long run. The BR-20 could be the last preamp/DAC that I ever buy, if I buy it. I have yet to audition one. But it shouldn't sound any worse than any DAC I've heard so far, right?

Why no DoP? My only experience with DoP was with an Hegel integrated amp that I had for a few days a few years back, which I returned. When using the DAC, there was an audible pop in DSD playback under some conditions that could not be ignored. I reviewed the formal DoP specification, which included a warning of this phenomenon for potential developers, but which Hegel evidently overlooked. If you're interested, you can read that story here:

H390 DSD/DoP *POP*

Short Version: It appears that the DAC in my new H390 may not correctly implement preventative recommendations on page 2 of the DoP standard, resulting in an audible, and not inconsequential, "POP" sound when starting and stopping DSD64 and DSD128 playback. DSD256 playback is just fine. But the...

www.audioshark.org

 

[Petrushka]

I should have mentioned - "reasonably priced" dacs. (under $500)

Wiim Ultra and Amp Pro. Not dedicated DACs, but competent.

 

[Vieux]

Or conversely, are there any ?
All the standalone DACs I have come across have spdif and usb but no hdmi. Why is that ?
Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't hdmi offer a mode of transmission (something similar to asynchronous usb) that allows to eliminate or significantly reduce jitter ? In that case wouldn't it be much prefered over spdif ?

Shanling EH3, i2s/hdmi

 

[Kal Rubinson]

Shanling EH3, i2s/hdmi

Not HDMI input, just an HDMI connector for I2S.

 

[Vieux]

Not HDMI input, just an HDMI connector for I2S.

5 choices of pinning for input!
Read somewhere, some use it others device!
Will post question onhead-fi!

 

[Kal Rubinson]

5 choices of pinning for input!
Read somewhere, some use it others device!
Will post question onhead-fi!

????

 

[Vieux]

????

 

[Kal Rubinson]

Yes and none of them are compatible with HDMI signals.

 

[Vieux]

Soorry to read that

 

[welwynnick]

Or conversely, are there any ?
All the standalone DACs I have come across have spdif and usb but no hdmi. Why is that ?
Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't hdmi offer a mode of transmission (something similar to asynchronous usb) that allows to eliminate or significantly reduce jitter ? In that case wouldn't it be much prefered over spdif ?

Most people ignored this, but you're quite right, HDMI does have an asynchronous mode. It's called Audio Rate Control, and it was introduced in HDMI V1.3, and is not to be confused with Audio Return Channel. A few manufacturers like Sony and Pioneer already had jitterless i-Link connections, called HATS and PQLS respectively. They adopted HDMI ARC and continued to call it HATS & PQLS, but it was quietly dropped some time ago (like Denon Link).

7.11
Audio Rate Control Overview
The Audio Rate Control feature allows a Sink to slightly and continuously adjust the audio clock rate of the Source in order to match the Sink’s crystal-based audio clock. The Sink controls the
Source’s audio clock rate with the CEC <Set Audio Rate> command. See CEC Supplement section CEC 13.16 for details.
Source ACR behavior is not affected by Audio Rate Control. When Audio Rate Control is enabled the Source shall continue to generate correct ACR packets that accurately reflect the current
(possibly adjusted) audio clock rate.

For the same reasons that asynchronous USB is successful, HDMI ARC made a big difference to jitter and sound quality at the time. However, re-clocking, PLLs and ASRC have become more effective since then, and I presume manufacturers think there's no more need. When you look at Amir's jitter charts for high performing DACs, you see virtually no difference between SPDIF and Async USB, so it must be a solved problem. As in so many other ways, many AVRs still trip over it, though.

 

[turbotuff]

Just made a post looking for the same thing

Elac HDX21 HDMI eARC-to-stereo analog audio converter with variable output

This seems like a pretty neat device assuming it tests well that I feel like a lot of people could be interested in! Do you know of any other affordable devices that will allow you to use a modern TVs eARC volume control with any powered studio monitors? A lot of great studio monitors out there...

www.audiosciencereview.com