@frank7036 This will require a Kernal update. This is in fact coming in an upcoming update, however we can resolve this ahead of that for you. Please send me a message with your systems serial number and the firmware version you're running.
Digital Output Modules & I2S
- Thread starter Stephen Healy
- Start date
Hi Dan,
Thank you and that is good news. I will look up the information and provide it tomorrow. I look forward to be able to play DSD256 via NativeDSD.
Regards. Frank.
After experimentation with Innuos we have confirmed that i2s module pin out setting of #6 (with kernel update) works with the PS Audio DirectStream DAC and should also work with other DACs that use the PS Audio i2s pin out configuration. Using #6 results in the correct L/R channel assignment for PCM/DSD-DoP & Native DSD. For DirectStream mk1 i2s upto Native DSD256 (with Sunlight FW) is playable.
Hi Innuos,
My understanding is that the Zenith NG is usb “native” and converts to i2s format, However, the usb signal that is being converted isn’t as accurate as the usb signal being output from the “Phoenix usb lite” board (or the standalone PhoenixUSB ) - is that correct?
It would be appreciated if you could help me understand how Innuos creates the i2s signal and where it “sits” in the output signal hierarchy for quality.
My understanding is that the Zenith NG is usb “native” and converts to i2s format, However, the usb signal that is being converted isn’t as accurate as the usb signal being output from the “Phoenix usb lite” board (or the standalone PhoenixUSB ) - is that correct?
It would be appreciated if you could help me understand how Innuos creates the i2s signal and where it “sits” in the output signal hierarchy for quality.
In terms of hierarchy, it is not quite as linear as that; the process is essentially always USB -> I2S -> D/A conversion, the question is whether more of that process happens on the source end, or happens on the DAC end. Which is better? It completely depends on the source and DAC components involved, so we cannot categorically rank one connection type over another because it very much is system dependant. We are offering our own very high-quality take on I2S transmission, but this might not strictly be better if you have a DAC with an already excellent USB input stage.
The two modules are relatively equal from our point of view, so if unsure which way to go then it can be worth contacting the DAC manufacturer themselves to see if they have a strong preference concerning their own devices.
The two modules are relatively equal from our point of view, so if unsure which way to go then it can be worth contacting the DAC manufacturer themselves to see if they have a strong preference concerning their own devices.
Hi Stephen,
Let’s forget the DAC end. To many variables there. Would having the usb signal processed through PhoenixUSB lite (or the standalone PhoenixUSB ) before going to the i2s module make any difference to the quality of the output of the i2s module?
Hi Frank, apologies as 3.2 has really eclipsed things.
I have not tested/heard this for myself but yes, my estimation is that there would be a further benefit.
I have not tested/heard this for myself but yes, my estimation is that there would be a further benefit.
@DanCollier @Stephen Healy
I updated the NG to 3.2.1 and thought everything had gone smoothly , however today I tried playing a DSD file through the system and no sound.
I checked the settings and everything was as it had been prior to the update when DSD was playing happily through i2s and set to NativeDSD.
I have completed a hard power down and restart of both the ZenithNG and the DAC.
Powered back up and checked again, no sound via NativeDSD, music plays via DSD over PCM.
I wonder if the latest update didn’t include the kernel update that was previously made to my Innuos to enable the NativeDSD option to work?
Let me know what you want me to test.
Regards. Frank
I updated the NG to 3.2.1 and thought everything had gone smoothly , however today I tried playing a DSD file through the system and no sound.
I checked the settings and everything was as it had been prior to the update when DSD was playing happily through i2s and set to NativeDSD.
I have completed a hard power down and restart of both the ZenithNG and the DAC.
Powered back up and checked again, no sound via NativeDSD, music plays via DSD over PCM.
I wonder if the latest update didn’t include the kernel update that was previously made to my Innuos to enable the NativeDSD option to work?
Let me know what you want me to test.
Regards. Frank
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