Description
Designed and handcrafted using a carefully selected combination of 5N OCC silver conductors, meticulously fine-tuned to maximize signal integrity and deliver exceptional sound quality.
Important: Please provide the I2S pinout configuration and HDMI connector orientation of your devices. Alternatively, provide the brand and model of each device, together with their placement configuration, either side-by-side or stacked vertically (top-down).
Audiolund HDMI I2S/IIS/AV Cable ~ Ultimate Silver Series
Key Features
- Improved design: Revised HDMI cable construction for enhanced sonic performance.
- Handcrafted using European-made 5N OCC silver conductors, with extensive shielding, damping, and isolation.
- Features 7 solid-core conductors in a combination of 24GA + 26GA + 28GA + 29GA + 29GA + 32GA + 32GA 5N OCC silver for the DATA+/-, BCLK+/-, LRCK+/-, MCLK+/-, SCL, and SDA connections.
- Constructed using audiophile-grade solder, with carefully optimized connections and comprehensive grounding.
- Multiple types and layers of shielding materials help minimize noise and RFI/EMI interference.
- Unique damping construction incorporates multiple anti-vibration and isolation materials to minimize mechanical vibration.
- Standard length: 1.0 m, with additional lengths available upon request.
Ultimate Silver Series Sound Character
The Ultimate Silver Series HDMI I2S Cable represents Audiolund’s most advanced pure-silver HDMI I2S design, created to deliver a highly refined, natural, and engaging presentation.
Building on the True Silver Series, the Ultimate Silver Series upgrades the conductor architecture from a single 24AWG OCC silver solid core to seven solid cores of 24GA + 26GA + 28GA + 29GA + 29GA + 32GA + 32GA 5N OCC silver.
It retains the sweet, delicate character and fast, powerful dynamics of the True Silver Series while offering a stronger tonal presence, improved bass authority, greater refinement, and a richer, fuller-bodied presentation.
Both the Ultimate Silver Series and True Silver Series HDMI I2S cables use 5N OCC silver conductors and share a similar pure-silver sonic character. The Ultimate Silver Series, however, provides a subtly stronger tonal foundation, improved bass performance, greater refinement, and fuller body through its multi-core silver conductor design.
These differences are subtle and are most apparent during critical listening with highly resolving audio systems.
Due to its complex seven-solid-core silver conductor architecture, the Ultimate Silver Series may require a longer run-in period before reaching a stable sonic presentation.
The Ultimate Silver Series represents Audiolund’s reference-level HDMI I2S/AV cable design, developed for highly resolving high-end audio systems.
Recommendation
For most high-quality audiophile systems, the True Silver Series HDMI I2S Cable already provides excellent performance and represents a highly capable solution.
The Ultimate Silver Series is designed for reference-level systems and discerning audiophiles seeking the highest level of performance available within the Audiolund HDMI I2S range.
About I²S
I²S (Inter-IC Sound) is a serial bus interface used for transmitting digital PCM audio data between integrated circuits.
Unlike interfaces that combine clocking and data transmission, I²S separates the clock and serial data signals. This architecture can simplify signal handling and potentially provide excellent detail and sound quality when properly implemented.
Compared with S/PDIF or AES/EBU (AES3), I²S carries clock and data over separate signals rather than combining them into a single data stream.
An I²S interface typically incorporates several signal lines:
- Bit Clock: Serial Clock (SCK) or Bit Clock (BCLK)
- Word Clock: Word Select (WS) or Left/Right Clock (LRCLK)
- Serial Data: SD, SDATA, SDIN, SDOUT, DACDAT, ADCDAT, etc.
- Master Clock: Typically 256 × LRCLK, depending on the implementation
Important: I²S Pinout Compatibility
There is no universal standard for HDMI-based I²S pin assignments. Different audio equipment manufacturers may use different pin configurations.
For this reason, the I²S pinout configuration of both the source and receiving device must be confirmed before the cable is built.
A-Definition vs B-Definition:
HDMI I2S A Definition: Pink Faun, Wyred4Sound, Audiobyte, Wadia, Rockna, SMSL, LKS, Gustard, JAVS, Singxer
HDMI I2S B Definition: Sonore, PS Audio, Mola Mola, M2 Tech, Aune, Holo Audio, Empirical Audio, K&K Audio, Channel Islands Audio, Musica Pristina, Stahl~Tek, Matrix, DiDiT, HiFime, X-Sabre, Soundaware, Audio-gd, Denafrips, Jay’s Audio
Compatibility
For an I²S cable to operate correctly, the I²S source and playback device must use compatible signal configurations. We therefore recommend confirming the pin configuration of your CD player, transport, streamer, DDC, or other digital source, as well as your DAC, before ordering.
When the signal configuration is correctly matched, an Audiolund HDMI I2S cable can deliver its intended level of performance.
Note: Audiolund generally recommends HDMI I²S over RJ45 I²S where compatible HDMI I²S connections are available. If the I²S cable does not function correctly in your system, the cause may be an incompatible I²S pin configuration. Customers may request a full refund if the cable is incompatible with their equipment.
HDMI AV (HDMI 2.0):
For standard audio-video applications, the cable is built according to HDMI 2.0 specifications.
Features include:
- Compatible with HDMI 2.0, HDMI 1.4, and HDMI 1.3 devices
- Supports video resolutions up to 4K
- Full 18Gbps bandwidth in accordance with HDMI 2.0b specifications
Note: This cable does not support 8K resolution, as 8K transmission requires HDMI 2.1 hardware and specifications.
HDMI Plug Orientations:
Please provide the orientation of the HDMI sockets on your equipment when ordering. This enables us to determine the preferred connector orientation so that the cable can be installed with minimal twisting or mechanical stress.
If your equipment is positioned side-by-side or vertically stacked, please provide this information as well.
Example:
Precautions
Important Handling Notice
Please insert the HDMI connector gently, slowly, and in the correct orientation. Never force the connector into the HDMI socket.
HDMI connectors require careful handling due to their compact 19-pin construction. In addition, Audiolund I2S cables are relatively thick and heavy because of their conductor, shielding, damping, and insulation construction.
To minimize mechanical stress on the HDMI connector and equipment socket, we strongly recommend using a suitable cable support or wooden support block beneath the HDMI connector, particularly when using heavier Audiolund HDMI I2S cables.
1) Default: Gold Foil + Black Stripe on Black Background
- Provides better wear resistance for the red copper and plastic decorative strips.
2) Silver Foil + Transparent Strip on Black Background
- The silver foil has lower wear resistance and should therefore be handled with greater care.
Cable Run-In
Most Audiolund cables use multi-core designs incorporating multiple conductor types and gauges. As a result, sufficient run-in time is recommended before making a final assessment of their sound.
The relatively thick solid-core OCC silver conductors may require a longer run-in period than Duelund tinned copper conductors, which use multiple parallel thin strands.
As a general guideline:
- Most Audiolund cables: approximately 100–200 hours
- Ultimate Silver Series: approximately 200–400 hours
The Ultimate Silver Series uses a particularly complex combination of multiple solid-core OCC silver conductors and Duelund tinned copper conductors and may therefore require additional run-in time before reaching a stable sonic presentation.
Very good musical feel
Excellent cable. One of the best I have come across in terms of sound quality. Very natural sounding cable. Very high-end built quality and they use thick cable and connectors that makes the cable a little heavy. Service level support from the Audiolund team is amazing. I2s connection is non standard and Audiolund even get into the equipment details (to understand pin outs) and the position of the I2s/ HDMI sockets and tailor the cable for specific needs. They even provided support a year later – way beyond the warranty expiry.