New denafrips DDC (Iris and Gaia)

[Roasty]

has anyone tried the Gaia with Holo/Rockna dacs? spoke to Alvin and he said there is a chance the Gaia may not work with these two dacs using the i2s interface.

 

[johnzz4]

has anyone tried the Gaia with Holo/Rockna dacs? spoke to Alvin and he said there is a chance the Gaia may not work with these two dacs using the i2s interface.

Perhaps ask the manufacturers for their i2s pinout and compare it to the pinout in the Gaia manual. Unfortunately, the Gaia pinout isn’t user selectable like it is on the Terminator input. I would check with Alvin, but I think reversed polarities for the same signal type on the pinout would still work, but not the wrong signal type altogether. Good luck!

 

[jazzbug]

The Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy CryoSilver Reference HDMI showed up today. Let the burn-in begin. I was planning to burn it in on my television for a couple of weeks, then install it in my audio system but it won't work. Apparently it is audio only. Just like my Tubulus Argentus HDMI.

Hope you enjoy the new toy, any impression to share?

 

[jazzbug]

Lol coincidence, my tubulus argentus arrived yesterday too. Looks well made, and not as stiff as I thought it was. Have placed it in my system (phasure lush^2 out) and am running it in 24/7.

Hope you enjoy the new toy, any impression to share?

 

[Roasty]

Hope you enjoy the new toy, any impression to share?

I decided to keep it in the system. I preferred the highs and less forward presentation of the tubulus i2s cable. Phasure has better clarity and transparency though. I'm actually waiting on BlakeT's RAL impressions too!

 

[jazzbug]

I decided to keep it in the system. I preferred the highs and less forward presentation of the tubulus i2s cable. Phasure has better clarity and transparency though. I'm actually waiting on BlakeT's RAL impressions too!

Thanks mate for that, I totally understand the 'less forward presentation', esp with some audiophile vocal recordings.
Now can't wait for RAL impression

 

[BlakeT]

Just a quick update.. my RAL had a manufacturing defect and RAL ageed to replace it. I am waiting for my replacement to arrive.

 

[Roasty]

Thanks mate for that, I totally understand the 'less forward presentation', esp with some audiophile vocal recordings.
Now can't wait for RAL impression

i think there are only a few of these boutique i2s cable manufacturers out there?

Phasure
RAL
Tubulus
Pink Faun

other i2s options are the usual hdmi cables from audioquest, wireworld etc or even the generic hdmi cables u can get anywhere.
now that @BlakeT will be getting a replacement RAL (and can compare it to Tubulus), and since i prefer the Tubulus over the Phasure, and assuming we all have exactly the same ears and listening tastes (LOL), the next logical step is you should get the Tubulus and Pink Faun and let us know which you prefer. then we can have a ranking of the four listed above!

 

[BlakeT]

i think there are only a few of these boutique i2s cable manufacturers out there?

Phasure
RAL
Tubulus
Pink Faun

other i2s options are the usual hdmi cables from audioquest, wireworld etc or even the generic hdmi cables u can get anywhere.
now that @BlakeT will be getting a replacement RAL (and can compare it to Tubulus), and since i prefer the Tubulus over the Phasure, and assuming we all have exactly the same ears and listening tastes (LOL), the next logical step is you should get the Tubulus and Pink Faun and let us know which you prefer. then we can have a ranking of the four listed above!

Great plan, then we will have them all covered!

 

[Roasty]

Actually, sorry. He should get the Pink Faun and RAL. Then we will get a better overall answer!

 

[jazzbug]

Some google search got me to below online reviews with more I talked to forumners:

"The RAL looks distinctively handmade (i.e. not finished like a high end cable). It is extremely detailed - moreso than even my AES cable from AudioSens. Great upper mids and up. Lots of air. Huge soundstage and great imaging. Clean clean clean sounding cable. However - it's light on the bottom end, and not the most dense/full sound. More.of an introspective/cinematic listen than a toe tapping.
The Tubulus is the opposite. Well built. Not as detailed as my AES cable (3rd place) but great full sounding lower mid range and bass is extremely clean and powerful. Upper mids and highs lack detail and sheen compared to the other 2. Very little air. This cable is still breaking in but generally you can tell the overall sound of the cable early.
Long story short - 2 different cables. If I could combine them both they'd be perfect but as things stand I'm not 100% satisfied with either however the detail on the RAL is addicting."

"I can recommend both RAL and Tubulus. See my post above. RAL for more detail, Tubulus for more bottom end and fullness."

"If I had to pick, the RAL is the winner. The lack of reverb/air/trails around instruments on the Tubulus was a deal breaker for me. I can live with quieter, albeit ultra clean bass, on the RAL in exchange for top notch detail.
Unless your system is already too lean/quick and needs some body, I think the RAL is the best choice."

 

[jazzbug]

Another HongKong forum about Phasure and Pink Faun with google translate help:

User reckons Phasure "most truthful sounding", better than WWP 7 and AIM silver (1st gen).

Then user ordered Pink Faun, initially sounds quieter, darker background, denser sound than Phasure.

 

[cglin222]

So is the Iris better than the SU-6 in sound ? Is deciding between the two.. read somewhere on the forum that some say DI20 is better than SU6 and that Iris is equal and better than DI20?

 

[Roasty]

So is the Iris better than the SU-6 in sound ? Is deciding between the two.. read somewhere on the forum that some say DI20 is better than SU6 and that Iris is equal and better than DI20?

Wish I could try the denafrips ddc but at the moment it's not compatible with my dac. What dac are u using?

 

[cglin222]

Wish I could try the denafrips ddc but at the moment it's not compatible with my dac. What dac are u using?

I have ares2 and d90 not sure if the iris i2s works with d90?
Alvin told me he prefer coax to ares2 tho..
Forgot to ask him if i2s works with d90