New HDMI I2S Input module!

Hmmmm, after looking into the transport, there indeed would be no advantage for the I2S module over the standard AES XLR. The strength of the I2S module is to add the DSD functionality. Thank you for the offer to help though!

Ok Daniel …. Thank you for looking into this.

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Just placed the order through dealer. Can’t wait!

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Daniel, so may I understand as that the Pro USB module is still better than I2S HDMI as the input solution, no matter which format of the music document will be transferred? Thanks.

The Interface coming from the Pro USB is always better. The software driving the Pro USB could be worse.

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@Dustin_Symanski , by software you meant the music sources? The music servers and streamers?

The software and drivers on the music server that communicate with the Pro USB on the USB side of the equation. These are variable in quality.

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And what are your preferred drivers? Alsa, windows or core audio?

To clarify, the performance of a theoretical perfect source will be best over the Pro USB. The kicker though, is Pro USB requires good USB Drivers. This is where servers can often fail to perform at the highest level. So, depending on the source and how it is developed, the I2S could perform better with certain products depending on implementation. This is something that will change over time and will be hard to pin down.

The ideal use is for SACD transports or other sources that don’t have Pro USB compatibility. This module can bring additional functionality.

Since USB drivers are a moving target, with constant updates and changes, our preferences are for whatever is currently sounding the best :wink:

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I can see this module has been included in the MSB website, does it mean the first batch will be shipped soon? :smiley:

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I haven’t seen it yet, thanks for sharing.

Me too, I’m anxious to give it a try with PS Audio PST and ready to order one as soon as possible @Daniel_Gullman,

You bet! Sending out the update today… y’all are quick on the uptake. Just wrapped the first build and worked out the kinks. We will be adding more sources as we get them in for testing, but PS Audio and Antipodes are working well.

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There is a lot more on these PCB’s, but we decided to keep the price the same as the base SPDIF. The DAC is the investment, these are just to make it work in new ways :wink:

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It’s here! We are excited to now offer a I2S HDMI input module bringing more SACD playback options for our DACs. This is a smart module that will allow us to add and support more protocols as we test and verify playback of new sources. Looking for a SACD transport? The PS Audio PerfectWave transport will now seamlessly output a true SACD signal directly to MSB DACs.

This module will be compatible with all current DAC models including:

  • The Sentinel DAC (Upcoming)
  • The Cascade DAC
  • The Select DAC
  • The Reference DAC
  • The Premier DAC
  • The Discrete DAC

Learn More > Click Here

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Any chance to makes this work with my Analog Dac? Otherwise, I guess I can see in my dealer will allow a trade in. I really appreciate that you folks made this SACD option available!

Yay, thanks team MSB!

This new module will likely spark demand for Universal transports equipped with an I2S output. However, they’re extremely scarce, limited to discontinued second hand models. Both the MSB universal transport, and the PS Audio PerfectWave SACD transport are no longer manufactured because of the dearth of Oppo BluRay mechanisms. Even Esoteric’s SACD players do not have an I2S output.

Therefore, attention will turn to music streamers with I2S outputs. What might those be?

Curious to find out whether synchronous I2S (which has the clock signal embedded in the digital data stream) will ultimately sound better than asynchronous USB (which slaves to the master clock via the ProUSB and ProISL modules)!

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Nice that we now have an option to connect streamers that offer an I2S output via HDMI.

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Can you recommend a DDC that can convert USB to I2S for the MSB I2S module? Thanks.

I have used a Denafrips Gaia for a few years to bypass the DAVE Amanero USB implementation:

about 1,800.00 usd

Thank you very much. I was thinking of the Denafrips Gaia, but also the Matrix Audio SPDIF 2 or 3. Currently have the Matrix SPDIF 2, and am considering getting the MSB I2S module for my MSB Discrete DAC. Not sure how the latter combination would sound, and whether one is not compromising the signal path with a DDC? And just like you @MarkusBarkus, I want to bypass the USB implementation from my streamer / server.