hi all!
just fiddling with the new setup and going between usb and i2s back and forth. what do you guys prefer and why? do you prefer the clock of the streamer or the dac?
peace.
I’m using I²S after testing different connections, and this is the one I prefer.
And in this type of connection, I believe only the RS130’s clock is used.
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I found that using the SFP is superior with AES/EBU being 2nd.
Since you have the same setup as me, you should try setting the RA180 to around 80-85% volume and using the RD160 as your preamp. Added benefit of getting usable subwoofer outs with the RD160 second output (RCA)
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For the best performance when connecting the RS130 to the RD160, HiFi ROSE recommends using an AES/EBU or I²S (via HDMI) connection.
Both options provide excellent digital signal transmission, with I²S offering superior jitter control and signal integrity—especially when both devices support the same I²S pin configuration.
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@ROSEHAN,
Please explain why i2s or AES/EBU is the best connection between the RS130 and RD160. I was advised at an audio show by a Hifi Rose team member that the best connection between the 130 and 160 was the sfp fibre connection.
I have both the 130 and 160 and use the fibre connection which I find to be far superior than the i2s and AES/EBU connection.
I look forward to your response, many thanks.
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Personally, after testing others, I prefer the I2S connection with the correct cable.
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Which cable do you use?
This one :
AudioQuest 0,6m Vodka 48 2.1 Câble HDMI - 8K/10K Ultra HD, Gaming, Haute Vitesse, 48Gbps, HDR, eARC
I suggest you test it and you will give us feedback.
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Both I²S / AES/EBU and SFP fiber connections are high-quality digital interfaces, but they serve slightly different purposes:
I²S and AES/EBU: These are direct digital audio interfaces designed for very low jitter and stable clock synchronization.
They are traditionally considered the most “pure” audio connections between a digital transport (RS130) and DAC (RD160), and this is why our team often recommends them in demonstrations.
SFP Fiber: The fiber connection is designed to completely isolate electrical noise between devices, and it also supports long-distance transmission without signal loss.
Many users find that this results in a quieter background and improved clarity in certain systems. Depending on the system environment and listener preference, the SFP fiber connection can indeed sound superior.
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Many thanks for your explanation ROSEHAN, much appreciated, thank you.
I guess it makes sense to use the premium streamer to synchronize the digital signal instead of sending it asynchronously to the DAC. I tried a regular HDMI cable for I2S from the RS130 to the RD160 and it didn’t sound great. I ordered an AudioQuest Carbon 48 from Amazon to test, so I can send it back if it doesn’t make it better. I’m still skeptical about spending $1000 on a cable, so we’ll see. Unfortunately I have my units horizontally aligned, RS130 → RA180 → RD160 so I need to get a 1.5-2m HDMI cable. Short-sightedly my speaker cables are perfect length to have the RA180 in the middle, so I cannot rearrange them.
Me too, I tried a regular HDMI cable for I²S from the RS130 to the RD160 and it didn’t sound great.
On the other hand the AudioQuest Vodka 48 cable in 0,6m is fantastic !
Try it !
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Hi gingerbread, after reading everyone’s comments regarding i2s connection between the 130 and 160 I thought I would go back and test the i2s versus the sfp fibre connection. Sfp fibre still wins for me, although a very subjective subject I am interested in your feedback using the AQ Vodka hdmi cable . Look forward to hearing your findings.
Many thanks.
Will do! I ended up buying the Carbon 48 and not the Vodka, as amazon didn’t have the length I needed in stock (and the price is extreme). Its arriving today, so eager to test it out.
I also bought a Nordost Blue Heaven HDMI that is arriving Monday. Last week I bought a Nordost Blue Heaven BNC for the Mutec Nano clock, but tried it between the RS130 and RD160, and was pleasantly surprised. I think it might even sound better than the SFP. Unfortunately I cannot really A/B very well since it takes about 5 minutes for the RS130 to find the RD160 over SFP. So I’d love to stop using SFP for that reason.
I received the Carbon 48, and all I’ll say for now is WOW. I was so skeptical, but its clearly much different. I’ll test over the next week and get back with more details.
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Ok, I’m sure it’s good.
Hey Gingerbeard, I must have missed your post on the Mutec Nanoclock. I have been doing a little research on it and am not finding a lot.Where did you purchase it and what did it do for your system? Thanks,Jay