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Dac and computer connections

Good afternoon. Looking at buying a Denafrips Terminator. I have read several articles where the person states they prefer the I2s /HDMI  connection, rather than USB.   My current DAC had no I2s/HDMI connect, so I use USB from DAC to Windows based laptop, sounds Great. I currently use a 20' 2.0 USB cable to my listening area.

If I were to get the Denafrips, could I use their I2s/HDMI connection from terminator to my laptop via a 20' HDMI cable, rather then the  USB? I'll have to look and see if there is an available HDMI port on my computer?   Thanks for the help before I pull the trigger. Robert TN  hope this all made some sense. Connection ally challenged.

robshaw
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,588 posts
 

i2s is not an hdmi connection it is a proprietary connection that uses an hdmi cable

 

as per usb it CAN SOUND GREAT HOWEVER YOU NEED A DEDICATED DEVICE NOT A LAPTOP

 

Dave  and TROY

Audio intellect nj

Streaming Specialists 

carlsbad's avatar
carlsbad
1,551 posts
 

Lots of great systems out there using USB.  I lean toward the camp of "usb is inferior" as mostly supported by those selling alternative technology.

debjit_g
247 posts
 

Denafrips Terminator works great with their DDC (Hermes, Gaia) and when connected over I2S, especially if you are using a laptop as a source. USB can sound great but it needs a lot more effort to get it right and quickly becomes very expensive.

gdnrbob
4,409 posts
 

Many very good Dac's use USB.

Ayre, Brinkmann, Meitner...

B

fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,496 posts
 

No. Don't even try it.

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