Thread: Help! Connecting Sony XA9000ES via iLink to Theta Casablanca III Pre/Proc - Need iLink Converter

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Post by hirezsqwave February 21, 2011 (11 of 15)
The Seventh Taylor said:

Well, HDMI uses HDCP, i.Link has DTCP. It is conceivable to have a converter box that accepts DSD via copy-protected i.Link and outputs it on a copy-protected HDMI port but it's not the sort of device you could solder in your den. It would involve these licenses plus significant software and hardware development. I don't think it exists and wouldn't count on it ever appearing, considering the faded popularity of IEEE1394 aka FireWire.
Is there a product available that converts iLink 1394 to the EMM Labs Optilink, or to SDIF3 devices?
Post by Kal Rubinson February 21, 2011 (12 of 15)
Try:
Computer Audiophile (for example: http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/Firewire-SPDIF-converter)

Try:
Weiss Engineering (for example: http://www.weiss.ch/gambit.html)

OTOH, why bother? Almost any conversion device will cost more than and be less reliable than getting the right combination of player and processor.

Kal
Post by auroraaudio February 9, 2014 (13 of 15)
Hi everyone. I thought I would contribute my two cents worth to the discussion regarding SACD over iLink / HDMI. I'm a big fan of SACD, particularly mulit-channel classical recordings, and for the past several years have been listening to them using an Oppo BDP-95, usually via the multi-channel analog outputs. I've also done some listening using HDMI which, depending on the receiver or amplifier, allows for the transmission of a pure unconverted DSD signal.

Recently I acquired a Yamaha RX-Z9 receiver mainly for its prodigious power output (170 wpc) but also because I'm a fan of Yamaha's DSP technology. While the RX-Z9 lacks HDMI capability, this isn't a big deal for me, since I don't use it for video. However, what the RX-Z9 does have is two iLink jacks which, similar to HDMI, allows it to receive an unconverted DSD signal. Intrigued by this somewhat "antique" technology, I went searching for a compatible player, and recently acquired a Pioneer Elite DV-79AVi.

I have been blown away by the sound of SACD over the iLink connection between the Yamaha and Pioneer. I think it is better sounding than using the multi-channel analog outputs or, if my memory serves be well, even better than HDMI. I'm wondering if any other forum members have had experience using iLink technology for SACD playback and, if so, what have been their impressions.
Post by Disbeliever February 9, 2014 (14 of 15)
auroraaudio: I can well understand why you did not care for the sound via HDMI using the Oppo BDP-95, I did not like it either when using the Oppo 93. All Oppos sound same via HDMI, confirmed by Oppo support.
Post by Claude February 10, 2014 (15 of 15)
auroraaudio said:

I have been blown away by the sound of SACD over the iLink connection between the Yamaha and Pioneer. I think it is better sounding than using the multi-channel analog outputs or, if my memory serves be well, even better than HDMI.
How can you compare iLink and HDMI when the Yamaha receiver does not have a HDMI input? If the HDMI connection was made with another receiver, you are comparing different DACs, not only different connections.
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