[CAJames]

Hi,
My dac is nagra HD dac, which has a i2s (rj45) but I cant find any more information about it, other than the manual says the i2s is “nagra standard”.
The Gaia has i2s rj45 LVCMOS standard.
Anyone pls advise if Gaia i2s is compatible to the Nagara?

My advice would be to contact Vinshine Audio. I know you can change the pinout of the HDMI I2S interface, but not sure if it works the same for RJ45.

 

[sajunky]

I2S over RJ45 is typically LVCMOS which is similar to TTL. Therefore it is safe to try. Pin-out can be different (like with HDMI) and it is always wise to get more information before trying.

 

[BlakeT]

@sajunky is correct (edit: I see @Jacky5555 also noted this). The I2S over RJ45 for the Denafrips DDC's is LVCMOS. I2S over HDMI is LVDS (low voltage differential signaling).

LVCMOS is very sensitive to noise and the RJ45 cable must be extremely short or you will encounter static-like noise. We are talking 30 cm or less. Ask me how I know Of course, no harm in giving it a try.

LVCMOS sounded very nice to me, until the noise crept in. Just go with HDMI. No noise and also sounds very good- a slightly different sound than LVCMOS, but it would be down to personal preferences and system matching.

 

[Jacky5555]

Thank you all for your advices. I have tried to contact Vinshines audio and been waiting what they say. If short cable is a must, I may give it up.

 

[BlakeT]

@Jacky5555 I will be interested to hear what Alvin at Vinshine says. My experience was Denafrips Gaia to Denafrips Terminator Plus. It is possible you may not encounter issues going from Gaia to your Nagra DAC.

The other thing I forgot to mention- I was using a 1-meter Sablon 2020 Ethernet cable. It worked fine for some period of time (I think it was at least a week or so?), and then the static noise crept in and went from subtle to louder. I didn't experiment much after that and went with HDMI. I probably should have experimented a bit but because HDMI was a possibility I didn't.

I have encountered some similar (minor) static issues with using "audiophile" HDMI cables in my other audio system. No issues at all when using a generic HDMI.

Later I experimented more with my audiophile HDMI cables and eventually I solved the static problem. Once by playing with pinout settings and one other time by just powering off the DAC and DDC. Some "audiophile" HDMI cables are more prone to issues than generic ones.

 

[sajunky]

In addition to what @BlakeT says, I want to add that there are I2S to HDMI converters like this and in reverse. I can't comment on this particular device, I think it should draw a power from somewhere, otherwise a passive conversion is useless. If you find a device with an active conversion, it will allow a longer HDMI cable. Still a distance is an issue, the optimal HDMI cable lenght is 0.5m. If your system is a high transparency, you should target such lenght. It also matches an optimum placement of a DDC, it should be as close as possible to a DAC.

If your source is at a distance, I would suggest a network streamer. With a good streamer (taking care of ground loops noise) you don't really need DDC. Feed your DAC from USB, it feature asynchronous USB transfers (a custom design based on the Amanero chip).

 

[shafat777]

Does anyone know if its possible to connect two dacs to the Hermes simultaneously? Right now I have the hermes hooked up to my Pontus 2 using I2S and was wondering if i can use then AES output of the Hermes to connect to another dac like BF2 or Yggy?

Thanks

 

[alvin1118]

Absolutely.
The digital outputs are active simultaneously. You may connect multiple DACs to the DENAFRIPS DDC.

 

[ShaolinGrump]

Absolutely.
The digital outputs are active simultaneously. You may connect multiple DACs to the DENAFRIPS DDC.

I was using my IRIS today to feed two DACs: XLR to AudioByte BlackDragon to MartinLogan 700 subwoofer, and Coax adapted to BNC to Emperical Sychro-Mesh to Audial Aya 3 to Emerald Physics EP-100.2 SE to Dahlquist DQ-20i phased array speakers. It was loud and engaging and resolved.

 

[simon740]

Absolutely.
The digital outputs are active simultaneously. You may connect multiple DACs to the DENAFRIPS DDC.

I have a Node 2021...so I must buy Hermes for spdif INPUT and than go from Hermes to Spdif input on my Ares II ? Hmm...
Maybe Node 2021 will be updated soon, so I can try USB out ...then Iris will be enough.

regards,
Simon

 

[CAJames]

I have a Node 2021...so I must buy Hermes for spdif INPUT and than go from Hermes to Spdif input on my Ares II ? Hmm...
Maybe Node 2021 will be updated soon, so I can try USB out ...then Iris will be enough.

regards,
Simon

JMO but I would consider upgrading your DAC to one with I2S input before spending money on a DDC.

 

[shafat777]

Absolutely.
The digital outputs are active simultaneously. You may connect multiple DACs to the DENAFRIPS DDC.

Thanks @alvin1118 for the clarification. For future reference, if i want to connnect another dac besides my pontus II (I2S) to the Hermes, such as a YGGDRASIL using the AES, you think it would work? Does the Hermes add any coloration to the sound? Its magical when i use it with my Pontus II but was wondering if it would modify the sound anymore other than just making everything clean and clear.

Thank you

 

[Symbiose]

Hi guys

Does Gaia I²S HDMI output compatible with Gustard X16 I²S HDMI input?

 

[ShaolinGrump]

Hi guys

Does Gaia I²S HDMI output compatible with Gustard X16 I²S HDMI input?

https://www.denafrips.com/single-post/2020/08/01/denafrips-gaia-ddc-terminator-plus-dac

terminator plus has a setup mode to re-configure the i2S pinout. I don’t know if there is a way to adjust the Gaia in the same way. Gustard has opposite polarity on HDMI pins 1, 3, 7 and 9, I think.

 

[koso]

https://www.denafrips.com/single-post/2020/08/01/denafrips-gaia-ddc-terminator-plus-dac

terminator plus has a setup mode to re-configure the i2S pinout. I don’t know if there is a way to adjust the Gaia in the same way. Gustard has opposite polarity on HDMI pins 1, 3, 7 and 9, I think.

On newest firmware you can setup I2S pinout on Gaia too.