Description
Designed and handcrafted using a proprietary combination of 5N OCC Silver conductors and Duelund Tinned Copper wires, meticulously tuned to achieve exceptional sonic performance.
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 ~ Flagship Series
Key Features
- Enhanced Design: Revised cable construction for improved overall sonic performance.
- Premium Conductors: Utilizes seven solid-core 5N OCC Silver conductors (24AWG, 26AWG, 28AWG, 29AWG, 29AWG, 32AWG, 32AWG) combined with 20AWG Duelund Tinned Copper wire across DATA+/-, DATA-/-, BCLK+/-, BCLK-/-, LRCK+/-, LRCK-/-, MCLK+/-, MCLK-/-, SCL, SDA, and grounding connections.
- Audiophile Construction: Built using premium-grade solder with carefully optimized grounding architecture.
- Advanced Shielding: Multiple layers of specialized shielding materials help minimize noise, RFI, and EMI interference.
- Vibration Control: Proprietary damping design incorporating multiple anti-vibration and isolation materials.
- Custom Lengths Available: Standard length is 1.0m, with other lengths available upon request.
Sound Signature
The Flagship Series is designed to combine the musical warmth and natural tonality associated with classic Western Electric-inspired sound characteristics delivered by Duelund Tinned Copper, together with the speed, transparency, detail, and dynamics of 5N OCC Silver.
The result is a highly balanced presentation featuring:
- Natural and realistic tonal balance
- Smooth and musical character
- Excellent detail retrieval
- Powerful dynamics
- Exceptional transparency
- Quiet background and low noise floor
Created for ultra-high-end audio systems, the Flagship Series is intended for listeners seeking the highest level of performance from an HDMI I2S/IIS connection.
Design Philosophy
The Flagship Series combines the foundation of the Audiolund Xtreme Series with the performance of the Ultimate Silver Series, incorporating seven solid-core 5N OCC Silver conductors alongside Duelund Tinned Copper conductors.
We believe the Flagship Series and Ultimate Silver Series represent Audiolund’s two highest-performance HDMI I2S cable designs, engineered without compromise for demanding audiophiles.
Recommendation
For listeners who appreciate both the rich musicality of Duelund Tinned Copper and the speed and resolution of pure OCC Silver, the Flagship Series is the ideal choice.
For those who prefer the ultimate purity, transparency, and dynamic performance of an all-silver design, the Ultimate Silver Series may be more suitable.
Both the Flagship Series and Ultimate Silver Series are our highest recommended HDMI I2S cable offerings for reference-grade systems.
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:
Installation 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.
OPTION: Select Cable Sleeve Color:
1) Default: Gold Foil + Black Stripe on Black Background
- Elegant appearance
- Gold foil finish requires careful handling due to lower wear resistance
2) Gold Foil + Transparent Stripe on White Background
- Premium aesthetic
- Gold foil finish requires careful handling due to lower wear resistance
3) Red Copper + White Stripe on Black Background
- Improved durability
- Better wear resistance compared to gold foil finishes
4) Black + Grey Stripe on White Background
- Clean contemporary appearance
- Excellent wear resistance
Cable Run-In
Most Audiolund cables utilize complex multi-core conductor architectures and therefore require an extended burn-in period to achieve optimal performance.
The solid-core 5N OCC silver conductors used in the Flagship Series generally require longer run-in times than Duelund’s multi-strand tinned copper conductors.
Recommended Run-In Period
- General Audiolund cables: 100-200 hours
- Flagship Series: 200-400 hours
Actual run-in time may vary depending on system configuration, listening conditions, and usage patterns.
Below my take on Audiolund flagship hdmi cable.
Going from eversolo T8 to denafrips Terminator gen 1.
5hrs usage
– the mid, so much more micro detail, it make vocal seems even more real, maybe because the separation is much better
– The soundstage also become more precise, although not as wide, but I can hear deeper, the reverb is more pronounce, the decay is much longer, echo more easier to hear, more 3D, better separation.
– The bass, less boomy, more precise, faster, I actually need to lower sub volume some db down.
– Less digital sounding but still some glaring, maybe it need more run in.
About 35hrs later
– Become smoother, what little glaring also gone
– Bass become less mechanical, now very musical.
– soundstage become wider now.
– and the fun of hearing sound appear beside and behind me. Wow
– Dynamic improve too!
That’s comparing to Mad scientist audio black magic ultra usb and this usb already very good, and about same pricing. For fun and to know it isn’t a i2s thing, I also try a $10+ dollar hdmi and yeah, cheap hdmi is also very good, it can hold its own comparing to mad USB with just little less refinement but compare to Audiolund hdmi, it lack refinement on all front and very obvious. It odd to be with the price I paid, but it does proof to all those naysayers, it’s not just 1&0, it make a difference.
Below my take on Dunland flagship hdmi cable.
Going from eversolo T8 to denafrips Terminator gen 1.
5hrs usage
– the mid, so much more micro detail, it make vocal seems even more real, maybe because the separation is much better
– The soundstage also become more precise, although not as wide, but I can hear deeper, the reverb is more pronounce, the decay is much longer, echo more easier to hear, more 3D, better separation.
– The bass, less boomy, more precise, faster, I actually need to lower sub volume some db down.
– Less digital sounding but still some glaring, maybe it need more run in.
About 35hrs later
– Become smoother, what little glaring also gone
– Bass become less mechanical, now very musical.
That’s comparing to Mad scientist audio black magic ultra usb and this usb already very good, about same pricing. For fun and to know it isn’t a i2s thing, I also try a $10+ dollar hdmi and yeah, cheap hdmi is also very good, it can hold its own comparing to mad USB with just little less refinement but compare to Audiolund hdmi, it lack refinement on all front and very obvious. It odd to be with the price I paid, but it does proof to all those naysayers, it’s not just 1&0, it make a difference.
A quick look back at the i2s Flagship HDMI cable: it’s validated on my system, everything is there, the voices are sublime, beautiful cut of presence, density and speed. The sound is very analog.
On the other hand, it took a good month and a half for it to deliver its full potential. You have to be very patient and be wary of hasty conclusions.
Good choice for me.
https://forum-hifi.fr/thread-38035-post-859391.html#pid859391