[sajunky]

Would a Fiber Optic HDMI cable work with the DI-24? If not- why not? It weither transfers the signal- or does not. WOrls for network cabke and usb- all in digital domain so should work here also.

Is not optical the lowest noise lowest distortion option?

Q. Do fiber module (1) act as a repeater according to the HDMI protocol or (2) transmit logic transitions while not interpreting protocol? I don't know. Case:

1. It won't work, as I2S is not HDMI, just use the same cable/connectors.

2. It might work with 10Gbps fiber, but it will add jitter and modulation noise. I wouldn't bother.

 

[rsbrsvp]

Q. Do fiber module (1) act as a repeater according to the HDMI protocol or (2) transmit logic transitions while not interpreting protocol? I don't know. Case:

1. It won't work, as I2S is not HDMI, just use the same cable/connectors.

2. It might work with 10Gbps fiber, but it will add jitter and modulation noise. I wouldn't bother.

THis is what I understood. I2s is not HDMI; and HDMI optical does not support i2s. HDMI non optical does support I2s.

I wonder why someone doesnt make an optical HDMI that supports i2s?

 

[sajunky]

I was referring more to the 768kHz that was all. I've had enough of all this anyway getting I2S to work as I want.

Your original problem was of not being able to play anything faster than DSD128 with HQPlayer on some Linux source. Once you have learnt with examples it is possible, you are trying to bring things you don't understand and should not be your concern.

You are trolling, people are not interested whether you had enough. Get better music, you can relax with. Here is how your original problem looks like:

Sorry for all the questions just struggling to get HDMI-IIS to output any higher than DSD128.

 

[sajunky]

I wonder why someone doesnt make an optical HDMI that supports i2s?

Hehehe. Audio industry is so fragmented... LOL

 

[naynay]

Your original problem was of not being able to play anything faster than DSD128 with HQPlayer on some Linux source. Once you have learnt with examples it is possible, you are trying to bring things which should not be your concern.

You are trolling, people are not interested whether you had enough. Get better music, you can relax with. Here is how your original problem looks like:

768kHz is my concern as I would also like to play to the maximum sample rate of what the Dac is capable of using I2S which in Laiv Harmony Dac on I2S is 768kHz so clearly the bottle neck is the DI-24HE as I am only getting 384kHz.

 

[Jake2]

Interesting explanation of the PCM & DSD rate limits of the DI-24HE thanks @sajunky . Clearly a complex area with some catches that are not that intuitively obvious to a new or prospective user like me with limited knowledge of OS/driver compatibility limitations.

As a matter of interest does the stated PCM limit of 384KHz also apply to Mac OS (which I use currently as HQP/Roon server) given its different USB drivers etc?

Actually does the DI-20HE have the same PCM & DSD USB protocols/limits as DI-24HE? If so I can test this myself whilst I still have the former on loan.

 

[sajunky]

Interesting explanation of the PCM & DSD rate limits of the DI-24HE thanks @sajunky . Clearly a complex area with some catches that are not that intuitively obvious to a new or prospective user like me with limited knowledge of OS/driver compatibility limitations.

As a matter of interest does the stated PCM limit of 384KHz also apply to Mac OS (which I use currently as HQP/Roon server) given its different USB drivers etc?

Actually does the DI-20HE have the same PCM & DSD USB protocols/limits as DI-24HE? If so I can test this myself whilst I still have the former on loan.

PCM 384kHz limit is related to the Amanero I2S interface limit. It is not USB limit, not drivers, as DSD512 demonstrate it clearly. A weakest part impose restriction to the entire chain.

With DI-20 nothing you can do as Amanero interface is integrated with the motherboard. DI-24 is different. Now Amanero is back on the module (like in all DACs), user replaceable. Why Kingwa made such backward move? I was wondering why, now is clear. Simply because Amanero brings an upgraded version soon, it is expected to be released next month. It is called Combo768. I don't know when will be available for DI-24 (and DACs - which DAC?), as Kingwa has to produce an OEM version. Keep enquiring Audio GD by mail if it is important to you.

EDIT Re: The last question. You can flash Amanero firmware on both models. It is the same hardware. A downstream I2S link use the same maximum frequency.

 

[naynay]

PCM 384kHz limit is related to the Amanero I2S interface limit. It is not USB limit, not drivers, as DSD512 demonstrate it clearly. A weakest part impose restriction to the entire chain.

With DI-20 nothing you can do as Amanero interface is integrated with the motherboard. DI-24 is different. Now Amanero is back on the module (like in all DACs), user replaceable. Why Kingwa made such backward move? I was wondering why, now is clear. Simply because Amanero brings an upgraded version soon, it is expected to be released next month. It is called Combo768. I don't know when will be available for DI-24 (and DACs - which DAC?), as Kingwa has to produce an OEM version. Keep enquiring Audio GD by mail if it is important to you.

I need this clearing as I'm getting lost with all these different Amanero versions. So to get the DI-24HE to output on I2S at 512DSD and PCM768 it would need Amanero Combo768?

 

[sajunky]

I need this clearing as I'm getting lost with all these different Amanero versions. So to get the DI-24HE to output on I2S at 512DSD and PCM768 it would need Amanero Combo768?

For DSD512 you only need to flash firmware optimised for Linux. With no hardware upgrades.

For PCM 768kHz wait for an announcement of upgrading DI-24 with Amanero Combo768. I can't guarantee it will happen. Current restriction are specified on the website.

 

[Jake2]

I really don't get how you deducted it from the Ian post.

Apologies before blurring the distinction between drivers and firmware - was reading too early before my morning coffee.

Ian does say the Amanero Combo384 firmware he used supported both DSD512 and PCM768, noting the focus of his post was on getting DSD512 working. His Roon screenshot shows PCM768 being selectable in Roon. This back in 2020.

Incidentally I just tried connecting the DI-20HE I’ve been loaned to my Mac Mini M1 - max PCM384 as expected and no selectable direct DSD option. Latter I understand means the Windows optimised Amanero firmware is installed, would need to Install the Linux one to get DSD direct working. Would that firmware work OK with Mac OS? (Sorry a little OT for this DI-24HE thread, but sorta related)

 

[sajunky]

Ian does say the Amanero Combo384 firmware he used supported both DSD512 and PCM768, noting the focus of his post was on getting DSD512 working. His Roon screenshot shows PCM768 being selectable in Roon. This back in 2020.

It was back in 2020 Ian wrote, it was an assumption. He made it during first experiments based on a general knowledge that USB frame native DSD512 timing is the same as PCM 768kHz. In a consequence after flashing Linux optimised firmware Amanero should support PCM 768kHz too.

Wrong! A maximum PCM rate is still 384kHz. I think being now an authorised Amanero dealer he will correct this statement. Speak to him, bring Ian to head-fiers.

A reason I explained inside the spoiler. While Amanero is capable receiving USB frames with a timing corresponding to PCM 768kHz, it is useless for PCM, as a real limit is in the internal conversion speed and clock synchronisation which is 384kHz. A slowest component in a chain limits capability. DSD512 is possible, as it use two data lines as opposed to PCM using only a single line.

I can't comment on a necessity of selecting PCM 768kHz option in Roon. It can be result of the above assumption (incorrect) or peculiarities in Roon to get DSD512 working, I don't know. A final comment is that it won't go above 384kHz, period.

 

[Jake2]

It was back in 2020 Ian wrote, it was an assumption. He made it during first experiments based on a general knowledge that USB frame native DSD512 timing is the same as PCM 768kHz. In a consequence after flashing Linux optimised firmware Amanero should support PCM 768kHz too.

Wrong! A maximum PCM rate is still 384kHz. I think being now an authorised Amanero dealer he will correct this statement. Speak to him, bring Ian to head-fiers.

A reason I explained inside the spoiler. While Amanero is capable receiving USB frames with a timing corresponding to PCM 768kHz, it is useless for PCM, as a real limit is in the internal conversion speed and clock synchronisation which is 384kHz. A slowest component in a chain limits capability. DSD512 is possible, as it use two data lines as opposed to PCM using only a single line.

I can't comment on a necessity of selecting PCM 768kHz option in Roon. It can be result of the above assumption (incorrect) or peculiarities in Roon to get DSD512 working, I don't know. A final comment is that it won't go above 384kHz, period.

OK I’ll defer to your (much) greater knowledge here. I guess I was just asking as a) he made that statement re PCM768 support and b) on my Mac Min Roon with the DI-20HE only PCM384 and below rates were selectable as options (presumably based on USB comms between the Amanero 384Combo board which advised Roon the supported PCM rates as expected limited to PCM384), versus on Ian’s 2020 computer/Roon instance PCM768 was selectable per the screenshot. But perhaps as you say, PCM768 is not currently technically possible so even if selectable and selected in Roon it would not play.

 

[naynay]

I emailed Audio-gd
The reply was they are waiting for the Amanero engineers to come out with firmware that supports 768Khz, and when the firmware is released, this can be tested on there DAC products.
So they are not sure about the release date.

I did find this while looking on the internet searching Amanero combo768 shown on the Amanero Technologies website.

Amanero COMBO768 USB TO I2S DSD CONVERTER

The Combo768 is an USB audio device adapter designed for OEM applications. USB PCM audio
data (2 channels) accepted as input are converted into an I2S stream or a native DSD stream.
Supported PCM sampling frequencies range from 44.1kHz to 1536kHz. The maximum sample
rate can be limited to 192kHz, 384kHz, or 768kHz.
The DSD format is decoded both in DoP format (FA05 token) and in native format. In DoP
format, the maximum sample rate is DSD512, while in native DSD format, the maximum
sample rate is DSD1024.

 

[sajunky]

I emailed Audio-gd
The reply was they are waiting for the Amanero engineers to come out with firmware that supports 768Khz, and when the firmware is released, this can be tested on there DAC products.
So they are not sure about the release date.

It sounds like an announcement.

Reading between lines, they have hardware ready for shipment, just waiting for a firmware to be finalised. IanCanada is promising release next month, I expect there will be similar timeline, except with extensive product line it takes more time for testing.

 

[rsbrsvp]

In my system, with my ears- like many of you- I can hear the difference every single small change makes.

On example is I have always found my usb cables from my fanless linear power driven PC to the DI-24HE make a difference.



Now- I just tested the following two noise isolators which I placed together on the output of my PC:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100...o.order_list.order_list_main.5.2aa218021XnuJF

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100....order_list.order_list_main.27.ce2f1802ri9OgS

The second one, according to the claim of the company,- when powered by an outside PS--- completely disables the power of the PC's USB output leaving zero footprint from any noise coming from the PC.


So I got this PS: https://www.ebay.com/itm/174916750687?var=474066697019 It measures .02uv ripple;- less than any linear PS I ever found.

I replaced the PS fuse with an audiophile fuse as well and got a Ghent Audio DC cable made of OCC copper by Neotech.

To my shock, I can barely tell the difference between a $2000 USB cabe and a $2 Greentech cable. I actually think I prefer the Greentech- but the difference is hairsplitting.

I am forced to conclude that when the power is cleaned up really really well, the USB cable does not make a difference, or option two- my hearing is going bad.


For those who have experience with these little usb isolators- I ask you to please recommend other options. I considered the LHY USB isolator, but I dont think the OXCO input will help much if I already have an external clock on the DI-24HE, and on my DAC. Also- although the LHY PS is probobly very good, I doubt it is as good as the .2uV ripple one I bought on ebay.