Eversolo T8 and I2S issues with Denafrips Pontus 15th DAC

Thanks. I’m really puzzled, because setting up either mode 5 or 6, when I play tests from Denafrips, I have not right channel, but if I play music, both channels play fine. I’m not sure if it is an eversolo or denafrips problem. I’ve researched more about I2S, and apparently, both channels play on the same pin/line. It actually decides if it is right or left based on another trigger. I’m considering buying a cheap DDC to directly test the dac to rule that out, or confirm it as the issue.

The funny thing is that I’m perfectly happy with USB sound quality. I’m just trying to sort out what is up with I2S on my system.

 

I seem to be in finger pointing mode. My problem is a bit odd in that with the T8 in mode 6 and the Denafrips in mode 1, it seems to play music fine, but the channel test within the T8 and when playing channel specific test tones, fails on the right channel. If this were correct, however, I’d hear nothing from the right channel playing music, but it seems to play fine. When I play dark side of the moon, the appropriate sounds come from each channel .

It could be the DAC or the streamer. Eversolo is pointing fingers at the DAC, but their solution is for me to find a store that sells eversolo and have them let me test the DAC there. That seems to be hard in this area. Denafrips is eventually going to take the DAC back and test it. Since Denafrips has been producing I2S product longer, I’m dubious that it is them, but we shall see.

After some research on I2S, I discovered that left and right PCM channels travel on the same wire. There is another indicator that flags what is right and left channels. It’s possible the physical connections are just wrong but I find it hard to believe I’d be the only one with this issue.

Good think I’m happy with USB, but its irritating thinking there is a flaw in one of the units.

 

I can’t imagine why anyone would even consider using a non standardised protocol, when asynchronous USB is the gold standard for transmission.
I suppose if you enjoy the hobby aspect of Hi-Fi.
Keith

 

When it comes to I2S there are many things that can be "buggy"... if you are happy with USB (and actually I see no reason why you shouldn't...) stick with it; both its protocol and immunity from noise are far superior.

 

Especially when both USB sides are fully isolated, like in my case, T8 and Holo Audio Cyan2.

 

Mostly because if I ever go to sell either unit, I’d like to know that neither has a defect. I agree that I am totally happy using USB in general.

 

I don't know what tracks you use to test L/R channels, but if you like I can send you a couple of FLACs I use. I can guarantee they work, so you just play them back while on I2S, and you hear "RIGHT" on the right speaker, and "LEFT" on the left one. Which is all that is needed...

 

In case anyone else runs into a similar problem to mine (I2S channel test fail, unclear if it is streamer or DAC), I figured out a way to isolate it. I bought a USB DDC, from SMSL the P0100 pro. Since I knew the USB from the eversolo was good (it passed the channel tests), I fed its usb into the Po1o0 pro, and connected the I2S. Then I ran the same tests. As before, music seemed to play fine, but it failed the right channel when I fed test files to left and right.

Now I just need to get Denafrips to swap/repair the DAC. It’s a very odd problem, but I’m glad I was able to isolated it.

I’m glad the problem is not with the T8. The cost of the DDC, by the way, was about $75. I’ll likely return it unless I can figure out a use for it.

 

I told you to not trust the test files. I offered you my files, proven to work. You probably blocked me, so go replace a most probably working device...

 

I did block you. Glad to see your cheery disposition has been maintained! I used both the channel testing built into the Eversolo T8 (which you would see if you had a T8). I also used the test files provided by denafrips for their dacs.

 

Just to close out my issue using I2S with Denafrips above, initially with the eversolo t8, It actually turned out to be a firmware problem with the Denafrips Ares 15th. Symptoms in PCM are that it plays music fine, but fails a right channel only test. Very odd. It plays DSD fine, but channels swap required.

I sorted out that it was not a T8 issue by buying a cheap reclocker that output I2S, cutting the eversolo out of the chain and feeding it from an iPad, and the problem continued, so not an Eversolo problem.

Denafrips is now working on the issue.

 

Strange, I also connected the Denafrips Pontus 15th to the T8 via an I2S (HDMI) cable. I had already downloaded tests from the Denafrips website. DSD testing on both the left and right channels was no problem at all. To my knowledge, no FPGA (firmware) updates have been released for the Pontus 15th. There is a good chance that our Pontus devices use the same firmware. I am curious to see what Denafrips' findings will be.

 

I would have thought so, but I’ve only seen this on the Ares 15th. My dealer tested on Pontus and the Enyo, and they were fine. It works fine on DSD. PCM is the issue, and even then it plays just fine. It’s only the right channel test that fails, which is kind of an artificial situation. If any sound is also coming from the left channel, it works fine.

 

Hi
this is the I2S configurator giving:
Recommended I²S Setting

Denafrips Pontus, all series. Configure mode ‘1’ (binary 000) and Eversolo T8 – Mode 5 or 6. Master Clock not used by Denafrips
https://www.magnahifi.com/de/i2s-compatibility-configuration-guide

 

on Eversolo T8 you have in the I2S menu the option to swap L/R , this setting is to tackle such issues.

 

Yes. I’m aware. Swapping channels did not resolve the issue.

I’ve actually bought an inexpensive reclocker, fed by an iPad, to cut the eversolo out of the loop, and was able to confirm it is the DAC that is the issue.

This is not a normal “not. Matching pins for I2S issue”. If it were, the right channel would just be out. It is not. It plays music fine. It only fails when only the right channel is fed a test, with no signal on the left. Not an eversolo problem. It’s a flaw in my specific DAC. Getting Denafrips to address it is a character building experience. Since it does not affect music playing, I’m only slightly irritated, but it should not be happening.

 

Glad you found the root cause. DAC should be fixed, "character building experience" with such manfacturers and an issue which is not easy do describe and address this is for sure a good one once finnaly resolved.