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Post by MartinT on Mar 17, 2022 20:26:42 GMT
I thought I'd put my thoughts into a separate thread so that others who have ordered the cable can join in. The AVPlay is a pure silver HDMI cable designed for I2S transmission from a DDC (Digital to Digital Converter) to a DAC (Digital to Analogue Converter), which speaks the language of the DAC chipset directly and carries separate data and clock signals. Of all the inputs typically found in a DAC, it is the purest and most direct form of communication which doesn't require the clock to be stripped from the datastream. Another benefit is the symbiotic nature of the DDC and DAC, such that the clock is carried via the I2S cable and benefits both components from any external clock connected to the DDC. Mine is a 0.5m length. I only have early impressions of this cable so far as it has only had 24 hours of burn-in, which listening and experience suggests is not nearly enough for silver conductors. The typical 'new' sound is a bit clanky (discontinuous or non-fluid) and somewhat bright. This was how the AVplay sounded yesterday. Today, the cable has become smoother but has not yet lost its brightness. However, edge definition and attack are already at a different level from my Blue Jeans FE cable. This is very promising so far. I intend giving it a full 200 hours before judging one against the other. Feel free to add your thoughts once you have received your AVplay.  |
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Post by stellabagpuss on Mar 17, 2022 22:15:12 GMT
Nice write up Martin, l am really enjoying my AVPLAY cable, give it a week and it'll will balance out nicely.
Damien
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Post by brettj on Mar 18, 2022 9:13:28 GMT
Ordered an AVplay HD-300 yesterday.
Today they asked me what DDC/Dac I was using to make sure I get the right configuration.
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Post by MartinT on Mar 18, 2022 10:10:31 GMT
Today they asked me what DDC/Dac I was using to make sure I get the right configuration. They asked me the same question. Great attention to customer service as there are several configurations of I2S just to make things more interesting. |
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Post by MartinT on Mar 18, 2022 20:59:02 GMT
The AVplay cable is coming along nicely, now with 48 hours on it. I know that silver needs much longer, so I'll be patient and keep running it on 24/7 internet radio. Tonight it's Radio Paradise to give it superior quality burn-in!
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Post by MartinT on Mar 21, 2022 6:18:27 GMT
I've renamed this thread for reasons I'll make clear later on. Let's just say that the Blue Jeans FE is holding on tenaciously and both cables have merit in different ways.
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Post by stellabagpuss on Mar 21, 2022 7:48:36 GMT
So whats the differences between the two.
Damien
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Post by MartinT on Mar 21, 2022 8:02:48 GMT
The Blue Jeans FE is made from Belden YR52550 HDMI cable where four patented 28AWG (solid) bonded pairs are individually shielded for Clock & Data. It's certified to 5m for high speed applications and is an ideal I2S cable with very little loss at short lengths.
In summary, the AVplay uses expensive silver conductors in a hand-built construction that possibly pays little heed to the HDMI specifications and is all about conductor purity. The Blue Jeans / Belden follows the HDMI specifications tightly, using ordinary copper conductors but highly shielded for low loss and low crosstalk.
To my ears so far, with a good 100 hours on both cables, the AVplay makes a striking impact with its perceived detail, attack and dynamics. But it exhibits the known attributes of silver and plays hot with a bright sheen that I'm not always enjoying with my highly resolving system. On some tracks, it sounds fantastic while on others it is just too bright to fully enjoy.
Reverting to the Blue Jeans, the balance is more neutral and has no less attack or impact, but the sheen of the AVplay is not there and it's easier on the ear in my system. With very hot tracks it's easier to hear the detail and soundstage without the whole becoming ear bleeding.
I would say the AVplay is going to suit a warm/mellow system very well while the Blue Jeans suits a resolving or full-on system better.
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Post by julesd68 on Mar 21, 2022 12:44:35 GMT
Never liked the idea of trying to use cables as 'tone controls' - like Switzerland, I believe one should always strive for neutrality ...  I've been using pure silver USB cables for a while and don't find them bright as such, but when I get round to it I will be interested to put a standard cable back in the system to compare. |
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Post by MartinT on Mar 21, 2022 14:47:01 GMT
I've played with silver cables over the years, always hoping for that magical combination of filigree detail and slam. However, more often than not, they come with brightness or even harshness. This could well be partly down to the purity of the silver but, whatever the cause, I end up being disappointed and revert to copper again. This is more true of analogue cables than digital, but my findings above show that the HDMI digital cables fall into the same stereotypes.
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Post by stellabagpuss on Mar 21, 2022 16:41:13 GMT
l have used silver on and off for years, but like yourself Martin,now my setup is better,you can hear trates.
For myself it's recognising the problem tracks that grate on you, we all have few albums that you love,but they sound poor,or thin.
Damien
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Post by MartinT on Mar 21, 2022 17:19:53 GMT
For myself it's recognising the problem tracks that grate on you Or problem tracks that are superb, but recorded very 'hot'. This one, for instance. Love it - but on the wrong system, it'll take your head right off. open.qobuz.com/track/12097937 |
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Post by stellabagpuss on Mar 28, 2022 19:21:25 GMT
Having lived with the AVPLAY for 3 weeks,l can confirm, that not even run in,the Blue Jeans is a superior cable in my setup up, it just does everything better, soundstage, lower end, and no glare to mid and hi frequencies, yet it doesn't impact the those frequencies with glare,they sound clearer,not subtle at all!
Damien
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Post by MartinT on Mar 29, 2022 5:19:42 GMT
The Blue Jeans is a rather magnificent I2S cable.
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Post by brettj on Mar 29, 2022 9:10:57 GMT
Bugger. After I've bought the AVplay.
I see Afterdark makes an I2S cable.
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Post by MartinT on Mar 29, 2022 11:08:18 GMT
Bugger. After I've bought the AVplay. I see Afterdark makes an I2S cable. Careful. The HDMI standard is even tougher to meet than USB and bijou cable manufacturers are designing in the dark (!). This is where the Blue Jeans, using a tightly specified Belden HDMI cable with shielded pairs, is likely to outperform anything hand-made by a long margin. The BJ FE is really inexpensive, too. |
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Post by julesd68 on Mar 29, 2022 12:36:17 GMT
Having lived with the AVPLAY for 3 weeks,l can confirm, that not even run in,the Blue Jeans is a superior cable in my setup up Did you try AES as well? |
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Post by stellabagpuss on Mar 29, 2022 13:00:51 GMT
Having lived with the AVPLAY for 3 weeks,l can confirm, that not even run in,the Blue Jeans is a superior cable in my setup up Did you try AES as well? Sorry my DAC the SMSL M400 doesn't have AES input. |
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Post by julesd68 on Mar 29, 2022 13:37:47 GMT
Sorry my DAC the SMSL M400 doesn't have AES input. I'll give it a go with my Topping when the opportunity arises. |
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Post by brettj on Apr 19, 2022 11:48:50 GMT
Just ordered a Blue Jeans FE I2S Cable.
Funny that shipping is more expensive than the cable.
So got a short Cat6 ethernet cable to go between the modem and router as well.
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