Holfi Xandra MP player

Sir !

My original questions hold : ( Which I posted on the other thread where you first mentioned this brand )

1. Are you selling this product in India ?

2. How much ?

Ok, Bhagwan69 has answered one of the questions, on the other thread :

olfi in India :- http://www.holfi.com...f6-8ca7-ed93b536458c INDIA Nexus Audio Video Sea-Lord-A, No171. Cuffee Parade 400005 Mumbai Phon: +91 98 197 270 55 kjaudio@yahoo.com

So what price ?

Amp_Nut schrieb:

Ok, Bhagwan69 has answered one of the questions, on the other thread : olfi in India :- http://www.holfi.com...f6-8ca7-ed93b536458c INDIA Nexus Audio Video Sea-Lord-A, No171. Cuffee Parade 400005 Mumbai Phon: +91 98 197 270 55 kjaudio@yahoo.com So what price ?

The moneys are
The Holfi Xenia CD player retails for Rs:1,05,000/-
The Xenia DC Battery powered CDlayer Rs:1,30,000/-
The Xandra MP Battery powered Rs:3,15,000/-
Deaf.

I had a listen to the Holfi Xenia at Siva's place last week.

Nice player

square wave wrote :

I had a listen to the Holfi Xenia at Siva's place last week. Nice player

Can you please post a more detailed write up ?

What did you find as its particular strenghts ?

In what way was this player distinct from the others in this price category ?

Sonic Comparisions ?

Thanks

Amp_Nut schrieb:

square wave wrote : I had a listen to the Holfi Xenia at Siva's place last week. Nice player Can you please post a more detailed write up ? What did you find as its particular strenghts ? In what way was this player distinct from the others in this price category ? Sonic Comparisions ? Thanks

Dear ampnut,

Detailed comparison with other players will be a bit difficult because the system in which I heard is not mine.
I have heard different source equipment, separates as well as cd players in Siva’s system as his system evolved into what it is today. They include the reimyo dac, Arcam fmj among others. The system has evolved into a revealing and resolving machine now. Most mid-level players do not survive a test in his system. The holfi sounded quite nice and resolving in the setup. This is in direct comparison with Siva’s existing seperates which will cost a huge-bomb and then some if made commercially.
I don’t want to get into the various aspects of the sound reproduction as it may be very misleading and subjective. I feel it is better if you audition it yourself

Most CD players in Holfi's price range have the problem of "compressed" sound...not sounding quite open enough. I was suprised that Holfi did not have that limitation. It had lot of "air" and space between equipment, however it never sounded euphonic. I liked the player and the philosophy behind it (The philips transport used in this player can also be found in much more expensive player and it is the same as Arj's current transport).

You need to listen to it...but it is definetly worth that effort.

Compared to my current reference, where it lacked was in the nth degree of refinement required for a very dark background. However, It might be asking for too much @ this price point. My own DIY efforts cost almost twice as much as the cost of this player. Further, you cannot expect opamps to compete with tubes...can you ;).

square_wave schrieb:

I don’t want to get into the various aspects of the sound reproduction as it may be very misleading and subjective. I feel it is better if you audition it yourself :)

Must say that is a rather strange answer ! isnt that what an opinion is ie subjective !!

if all of us turn tht way doubt if we every will have a discussion on any particular component.

Arj schrieb:

square_wave schrieb: I don’t want to get into the various aspects of the sound reproduction as it may be very misleading and subjective. I feel it is better if you audition it yourself :) Must say that is a rather strange answer ! isnt that what an opinion is ie subjective !! if all of us turn tht way doubt if we every will have a discussion on any particular component.

Deciding on an audition based on somebody else’s dissection of the various typical audiophool terms is the worse thing one can do. Another person may hear different depending on his room, system, music taste, expectations, how he evaluates a system etc.. There are hundreds of variables involved.
I evaluate a system based on how it immerses me in the music. Music is the first thing for me. The player does a fine job for it’s price. That’s all I can say. A few of the plus and shortcomings have been cited by Siva. He is a better person to judge because he is intimately familiar with the system in question.

Btw: Discussions on most components on this forum are usually not very realistic. I don’t take it seriously nowadays. It is just an opinion based on the variables I have mentioned above.The rality may be far from it. So it is better for the listener to decide

square wave said:

I don’t want to get into the various aspects of the sound reproduction as it may be very misleading and subjective.

Frankly, SW, I feel your reply is rather inappropriate for this forum !

and

Btw: Discussions on most components on this forum are usually not very realistic.

I guess that this implies that you have evolved to a different level ?

Amp_Nut schrieb:

Frankly, SW, I feel your reply is rather inappropriate for this forum !

i was thinking more like Sanctimonius

anayway, i always thought Sources were easy to evaluate with an A/B on any system since in most cases (i know there are exceptions) system synergy may not be as great an influencer as a amp- speaker or a speaker-room synergy

even speakers you can get an idea of but (for me) evaluating amps have been really complex

Amp_Nut schrieb:

square wave said: I don’t want to get into the various aspects of the sound reproduction as it may be very misleading and subjective. Frankly, SW, I feel your reply is rather inappropriate for this forum ! and Btw: Discussions on most components on this forum are usually not very realistic. I guess that this implies that you have evolved to a different level ? :D

Dear Ampnut,
I am not some magician to give you a detailed comparative analysis of cd players unless I hear and compare all of them in the same room with the same electronics with the same music preferably within a period of an hour. I am sorry
I still maintain that the player did fantastically well

Arj schrieb:

Amp_Nut schrieb: Frankly, SW, I feel your reply is rather inappropriate for this forum ! i was thinking more like Sanctimonius anayway, i always thought Sources were easy to evaluate with an A/B on any system since in most cases (i know there are exceptions) system synergy may not be as great an influencer as a amp- speaker or a speaker-room synergy even speakers you can get an idea of but (for me) evaluating amps have been really complex

Sanctimonious = Arj
Sorry sir, I reserve the right to decide what I write on a forum.

Amp Nut, are you still in lookout for a CDP ? how is the Revel+Gamut combination doing ?

YES, Arj. I am Seriously in search of a good CDP for my system.

My room is being done up ( Cosmetically and acoustically ) and should be ready mid next week.

Waiting to hear the results, then the disappointment or elation...

After that will get to listen to my system after almost 2 months...

Wish me luck !

Arj schrieb:

Amp Nut, are you still in lookout for a CDP ? how is the Revel+Gamut combination doing ?

IMHO - AN needs a 'good' DAC
The Remiyo DAC may be an option to consider.
Some 'forum member' has 1 for sale - I think......

Most of AN's music is on HDD so a CD Player may not be a product that he can use a lot. A good DAC - Audio Research - Theta Gen VIII - MK II etc would be good.

I recommended a Meridian G08.2 to him. List is 5500/- US $'s I Think....

Amp_Nut schrieb:

YES, Arj. I am Seriously in search of a good CDP for my system. My room is being done up ( Cosmetically and acoustically ) and should be ready mid next week. Waiting to hear the results, then the disappointment or elation... After that will get to listen to my system after almost 2 months... Wish me luck !

May the Luck be with you

if your requirement is a DAC then options are many but choices in the country few

i did see an ad for an accuphase DP-77 cd player in singapore. it is used though

http://www.hifi.com.sg/2ndhand/sview.asp?id=2626

is supposedly fantastic..can play SACDs and has a digital input a well. its transport section is supposed to be fantastic

Amp_Nut schrieb:

After that will get to listen to my system after almost 2 months... Wish me luck !

All the Best !

It sure will sound good.

Relax...

Superb SUggestion !!

i did see an ad for an accuphase DP-77 cd player in singapore. it is used though http://www.hifi.com.sg/2ndhand/sview.asp?id=2626

I love Accuphase;

Nice price too;

Must Consider.

Dear Ampnut,
Do get in touch with deaf and audition the Holfi when your room is ready. You may like it. It does most "audiophile" attributes quite well. Quite musical too. Try it out.

I have no idea what other players you have checked out and what you are looking for and how this player will work with your system in your room. Please audition yourself. Worth it.

Best of luck !

The Accuphase is a SUPERB alternate, however let me tell you where I am comming from.....

1. I currently use a Denon 2900 Universal player. hence I am spoilt with the options of SACD and DVD-Audio playback.

I have a few SACDs ( about 30 disks ) and only 2 DVD-A disks. Hence I am willing to throw in the towel for DVD-A but would prefer ( not too strongly) to have SACD playback.

2. On my current system Revel _+ Gamut MonoBlocks + AR LS-26 Pre, I find the Denon 2900 aenimic. Its faults are more in lack of excitement, lack in the frequency extremes and dynamics and punch. There are no "New Notesd" that I hear when listning to better CDPs, its just that the 2900 lacks balls and finesse...

3. When listning to music, I value:
i. Soundstage,
ii. A "Being There" feel { good Micro Dynamics, I guess } & iii. A bit of a a gusty presentation { Thats 'Balls' I guess }

4. My budget for a new CDP is approx 2 L ( would be happy to stop at 1 L though ! )


5. I have about 200 CDs, so in my books, I have an OK collection.

6. I have more than 300 GB of downloaded Hi Res music of audiophile labels ( XRCDs, MoFi, DCC etc ). I would love to use that.

7. However, I have NEVER ( actully only Once ) hear HDD playback provide the 'Being There" level that I have got even from my Humble Denon 2900.

The "Being There" was heard from an Empirical Audio USB-to-SPDIF Converter fed from a Laptop running Vista, and feeding a Theta Gen VII ( Before the Gen VIII Udpade.)

For a reality check, the Gen VII even pre owned on Audiogon is about US $ 6000. ( the Theta Gen VII has Erratic reliability... many Horror stories. It has a built in ANALOG volume control, and sounds DIVINE ).

The Empirical Audio giszmo cost US $ 1,000

The UD-10 can rpalce the Empirical gizmo for US $ 120 but sounds flat and lifeless to me, in the same audio chain.

8. I have heard the Benchmark DAC, & some others. They all sound techically correct, but lack the "Being There" that even my Denon 2900 provides

It seems to me that HDD palyback still has a way to go, to deliver, at a price i am willing to pay. That downloaded music will have to wait ...

9. Hence I would Love to have a CD player with a digital input, but am willing to sacrifice it, if a CDP can deliver i, ii & iii in point 3 above.

10. My Experience ( unjustified maybe, but its my STRONG belief ) that a CDP lens fades away in about 3 years. Any CDP / Transportoperating beyond that time frame, is on borrowed time...

Hence, while I am happy to buy pre-owned components in the rest of the chain, for the CDP, its got to be New or VERY sparingly used.


I would SINCERELY appreciate / welcome suggestions based on my above criteria.

Bhagwan's Cary 306 was a SUPERB option. Missed buying it, because my Audio Den is not ready, and I wanted to listen to it my ( new ) room. I did not know that someone else was making an offer for it. Another forum member has bought it. I envy him and wish him the best. Lucky Guy


Regarding the Meridian G08.2 I have read good reviewxs about it, but the ( unsaid ? ) message seems to be that its a placid and smooth player ... Lacks Balls !

Will try to get it home for a listen, but otrherwise, is an interesting option.

SNV has offered a Home demo of the Cyrus 2 Box CDP + DAC.

Its on my short list .

ANY other suggestions ?

I would love to listen to an Arye CD-5.

Thanks for reading this long post.

All Forum members, Do suggest.

Amp_Nut,

How can you drop ur DIY plans for the DAC...very disappointing...especially given ur skills with the soldering iron.

Regards
Siva.

Hi Siva,

I agree with you. A few years ago, buying instead of building would have been unthinkable.

That is my "Plan B"

The reason its my Plan B is :

1. I dont have much spare time on my hands.

2. I need a solution QUICK ...

3. I would prefer to listen before paying for it ....

I am willing to pay a premium for the above 3....

Hi Ampnut,
Want SACD playback? Try the Holfi Xandra MP. Battery powered and has just been chosen for Stereotimes Publishers award. It sounds great on a Gamut playback system especially on rock, and can be confirmed by a rock loving Gamut user who uses a Holfi phono stage.
Deaf.

Thanks, Deaf.

Would appreciate an audition next week ( once my room is ready )

Amp_Nut schrieb:

Hi Siva, 1. I dont have much spare time on my hands. ....

Where there is will .. there is time

I do my stuff late night, before going to sleep.....It really pays off .

Where there is will .. there is time

I TOTALLY agree with you.....

My wife tells me the same for putting aside time to Walk / Excersise

Amp_Nut schrieb:

10. My Experience ( unjustified maybe, but its my STRONG belief ) that a CDP lens fades away in about 3 years. Any CDP / Transportoperating beyond that time frame, is on borrowed time...

Amp Nut this is a very valid concern. I had bought used Classe transport which conked out.(I could get it repaired though..)

I now also have Sivas transport which is excellant at half the price!

Reagarding this, I am sure you can get an accuphase dealer to get the lens serviced. it may not be necessarily very complicated. I have dealt with AudioNote singapore and they are very good...and in the same building (adelphi) as most audio dealers.

Hi Arj,

The biggest pain ( and significant expense ) would be getting the 50 lbs player from Spore to India, and thru customs.

I would Hate a second To AND Fro trip if ( actually my belief is "when" not if ! ) the Laser dies.

I wrote to Audio Note yesterday, and they have replied VERY promptly... the player is 2.5 years old.....

Hmm.. its true but having now got my speakers, my amp and my transport shipped from different parts of the world, the cost of shipping would be around 150 USD at the max.
am sure they will be willing to invoice the order much much below

Amp_Nut schrieb:

10. My Experience ( unjustified maybe, but its my STRONG belief ) that a CDP lens fades away in about 3 years. Any CDP / Transportoperating beyond that time frame, is on borrowed time...

contrary to Arj's experience, my experience has been quite different & very good re. older CDPs & DVD players. I used to own a single-tray Harmon/Kardon for over 10 yrs & had it in my reference setup. I played it a lot over those 10 yrs & NOTHING happened to it. I never, ever, not even once had anything done to that piece!
These days I have a stock Sony DVP-7000 player manuf in 1998 in my bedroom system. I've owned it for nearly 2 yrs now. Bought it off EBay for a song. It used to be Sony's SOTA player back then. I was afraid of the lens & pickup mechanizm dying so I contacted Steve Nugent of Empirical audio w/ my concern & he told me to throw out the concern 'cuz in his vast experience lens & pickups rarely died. In fact, he was (is?) still modifying Sony DVP-9000ES units & those have been out-of-production for a while now.
Amp_Nut from my experience, I would say that your fears are unfounded.

Amp_Nut schrieb:

ANY other suggestions ? I would love to listen to an Arye CD-5. Thanks for reading this long post. All Forum members, Do suggest. :)

* My friend owns a Raysonic 168 that he absolutely loves. Bettered his Sim Audio Nova CDP by a long shot. Has a tube output stage.
* Steve Nugent modified Sony DVP-9000ES.
* CEC TL51X (I *think* that I'm remembering the model number correctly). My brother checked into this & found that one could get this in Singapore.

Hi Bombaywalla,

Thanks for your feedback.

My experience on Lens life... Odly has been that the Vanila units ( Like my Pioneer DVD Player) seem to run forever. I think mine is about 7 years old. The Drawer refuses to stay open, and imediately closes. But for this, it operates flawklessly.

Lasor lenses on my Denon CDP, and Sony CDP have died in 3+ years, and my Denon 2900 seems to need spectacles to read some discs

As the car adverts say " Your Milage May Vary. "

Tghanks also fotr your suggestions on the Raysonic. I have heard the 168 ( Orage glow ? ). I did not find it a Significant enough upgrade on the base model ( blue glow ? ) that I found good value and sound. Superb looks too !

Not familiar with the other 2 products U mention. Will look into. Thanks

Amp_Nut schrieb:

Hi Bombaywalla, Thanks for your feedback. My experience on Lens life... Odly has been that the Vanila units ( Like my Pioneer DVD Player) seem to run forever. I think mine is about 7 years old. The Drawer refuses to stay open, and imediately closes. But for this, it operates flawklessly. Lasor lenses on my Denon CDP, and Sony CDP have died in 3+ years, and my Denon 2900 seems to need spectacles to read some discs As the car adverts say " Your Milage May Vary. " Tghanks also fotr your suggestions on the Raysonic. I have heard the 168 ( Orage glow ? ). I did not find it a Significant enough upgrade on the base model ( blue glow ? ) that I found good value and sound. Superb looks too ! Not familiar with the other 2 products U mention. Will look into. Thanks :prost

I remember u telling me that your windows open to Sea. That could be the problem. I never had such bad luck with any lens...

Amp_Nut schrieb:

Not familiar with the other 2 products U mention. Will look into. Thanks :prost

the TL51X is a transport only . i believe the XR is the cdp.

this is a notch lower level that what you may be looking for as it will not give you that level of resolution which your speaker/amp may be capable of ie very musical but not the ultimate in resolution.

The TL53 is much better..but again not "there " yet.

you can find out more from Up Grand Audio who are the dealers in Hong Kong and even do international shipping.

To take off from where arj left off :-

http://www.panolux.com/CEC/DX71mk2/index.htm

This may be another option to consider !!
Ideal for you - just a DAC. Computer Audio - Music Server...

DX71mkII Limited Edition
is 24-bit ultra-high performance D/A converter with pre-amplifier.
Newer Amplification circuit and good quality capacitors are selected

List is under 10 K HKD
Worth a 'blind' gamble !
They will ship 'international'

Besides, if it works - you can sell your AR off & actually 'save' money !!!

Hi Bhagwan,

Interesting product.

Are you recommending this based on an Actual audition by you ? Most DAC have immaculate specifications, but sound Very different.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating....

Ideal for you - just a DAC. Computer Audio - Music Server...

Sadly, .... No USB input, which is Essential for Laptop playback.

Ampnut

I too face the same with my pioneer....lens no problem but for the tray that slips out and in quickly. Btw there is a small green spring loaded trigger on the right hand side of the transport which is the culprit(if your dvd is the dv-366). Clean that and will work for a few months until the next time. You will have to open the unit, remove the metal flap on the trnasport and clean. Otherwise the thing runs just fine(touch wood).

Manek

Thanks, Manek.

It will be my weekend project tonight. I have promised to open up the player, for a loooong time. ( BTW its a Pioneer DV-535 DVD Player, with 24 Bit / 96 KHz ... Sounds Awful... so much for DAC Specs )

Hi ampnut

Most welcome.
Mine is from the same stock in think just a model down, same specs but sounds decent for a dvd player.

Btw open the cover, then the transport flap, then get the tray out, shut the mains so that the tray stays out, you will see a "light blue" small pointed button on the right hand side, that gets dirty I think. A shot of wd 40 does the trick.

Since you have opened the cover if you wanna tinker with the laser pot let me know, I know a trick there too.

Try putting some weight just over the top of the front panel corners, and then some near the rear corners. Don't know why but the highs clear up a bit.

Manek

Ampnut

Sorry your model is not from the same family as mine. Mine is far far more plebian :-)

The transport may be the same though.

Manek

I have only listened to CEC Transports.
Never heard their DAC ever - so I am sorry !!

Interesting product. Are you recommending this based on an Actual audition by you ? Most DAC have immaculate specifications, but sound Very different.

I had heard the CEC with a Zanden DAC. Zanden never had a transport back then.

I am not so sure about this, but is USB in a DAC a 'good thing' ?
Siva, maybe you could shed some light on this... Please..

Sadly, .... No USB input, which is Essential for Laptop playback.

I know that dcS & EMM Labs have a usb input on their stand alone DAC's
Any other players [DAC's] offer this feature ?

many do offer it these days including Benchmark as well as wavelength audio i believe it is just a matter of time.

But as far as USB to SPDIF goes i believe empirical audio is the best out there

i do have the trends UD10. its nice ..but not quite "there" as a good transport. but i think the future for HDD playback is very much near in the future

bhagwan69 schrieb:

I know that dcS & EMM Labs have a usb input on their stand alone DAC's Any other players [DAC's] offer this feature ?

Dear Bhagwan,

As far as I know EMM does not offer a USB input on their DAC.

With regard to dCS, they have an upsampler with USB interface for any PC/MAC/SERVER to be used as a source.

Regards
SNV

Thanks for the dcS follow up;

I am not so sure about my facts - but I am under the impression that EMM Dac 2 has usb. Will have to check.

As far as I know EMM does not offer a USB input on their DAC.

The USB connection was in use between Laptop & EMM @ RMAF 2008. Just some picture I found.

bhagwan69 schrieb:

Thanks for the dcS follow up; I am not so sure about my facts - but I am under the impression that EMM Dac 2 has usb. Will have to chack. As far as I know EMM does not offer a USB input on their DAC.

Dear Bhagwan,

You are correct. The Dac 2 does have a usb input.

Regards
SNV

http://img252.imageshack.us/my.php?image=usblaptopemmlabsxy2.jpg

I do not know if this will show - big picture i.e.
Sorry, but I am trying...

Bhagwan69 said:

I am not so sure about this, but is USB in a DAC a 'good thing' ? Siva, maybe you could shed some light on this... Please..

Since Siva has not responded, I am taking the liberty to give my take on the matter :

I2S ( I Squared S )
I2S (Inter-IC Sound) is a 3 wire serial bus design for carrying digital audio signals INSIDE THE CD PLAYER, to the DAC (Digital To Analog Converter) Integrated Circuit (IC).

I2S transmits audio data SEPARATELY from clock signals. A SEPARATE WIRE IS DEDICATED FOR THE CLOCK SIGNAL, AND 2 WIRES FOR THE DATA ( MUSIC).

Signals are transferred Synchronously, i.e. under control of a "Master Clock."

By separating the data and clock signals, time-related errors that cause jitter do not occur, thereby eliminating the need for anti-jitter devices.

The I2S interface can handle upto 28 bit depth of audio data.

Almost all DAC ICs use this as the standard interface for receiving their digital data.

This is the best format for carriage of digital signals, unfortunately, the lengths of the 3 wires is to be kept short, as I2S was designed for carriage of digital audio, within the CD player / DAT ( same box ). Typically, the I2S wire lenght is kept to 20 cms or less, though I have come accross the 2 box ZERO-ONE HDD Player + DAC which runs the I2S bus from the HDD Box to the DAC Box.

I2S is a Digital Audio ONLY interface, so is not used / compatible with PCs, HDD etc.



SPDIF ( SONY PHILIPS DIGITAL INTERFACE)
S/PDIF is used to transmit digital signals of a number of formats, the most common being the 48 kHz sample rate format used in DAT, and the 44.1 kHz format used in CD audio. In order to support both systems, as well as others that might be needed, THE FORMAT HAS NO DEFINED DATA RATE. Instead the data is sent using Biphase mark code, which has either one or two transitions for every bit, allowing the original word clock to be extracted from the signal itself.

The SPDIF does not have a separate Clock ! The Data ( music) and embedded clock signals are carried on just 2 wires,providing a mix of music and clock, carried similtanously. THAT makes it prone to a lot of jitter.

The I2S interface can handle upto 20 bit depth of audio data, and can be adapted to 24 bits.

The USB ( Universal Serial Bus)
The USB ( Universal Serial Bus) serial interface is a general purpose, univesal COMPUTER interface.

Data is transmitted Asynchronous ( NO MASTER CLOCK !) between devices. Data is transferred at three different rates over a maximum cable length of 4 meters ~ over 4 wires, BUT ONLY 2 WIRES carry the data. ( the other 2 wire are the power supply.

Each exchange contains 3 packets; A token packet which holds the address, a data packet which holds the data, and a handshake packet which terminate the exchange.

CONCLUSION
As is apparent from the above, the I2S bus is the ideal bus for Digital audio.

SPDIF is worse, since it uses only 2 wires to carry the signal with a embedded ( but not explicit) clock signal. It can be run over longer lengths, but is prone to jitter.

The USB is worst of all, since it has nothing to do with Audio, to begin with, but the audio is masked as a computer interface signal and transmitted in a computer universal format, over 2 wires.


DACs provide an external USB interface, due to POPULARITY of the USB and the fact that most HDD storage & playback is based on Computer hardware and systems, and USB provides a universally available interface from such systems.... USB is just an evil that needs to be catered to for wide compatibility.

Frankly, even the SPDIF is a compromise....

That was a very well put obeservation. i had arraived at the same conclusion ..and reading the above made it sound nore logical

Amp_Nut schrieb:

... though I have come accross the 2 box ZERO-ONE HDD Player + DAC which runs the I2S bus from the HDD Box to the DAC Box. .... Frankly, even the SPDIF is a compromise....

BTW.. The North Star CDT and DAC has a I2S out and In . they are supposedly amazingly built.

I too have put my HDD based transport plans on hold for serious listening for some time untill it makes more sense to do so...

Amp_Nut schrieb:

The USB ( Universal Serial Bus) The USB ( Universal Serial Bus) serial interface is a general purpose, univesal COMPUTER interface. Data is transmitted Asynchronous ( NO MASTER CLOCK !) between devices. Data is transferred at three different rates over a maximum cable length of 4 meters ~ over 4 wires, BUT ONLY 2 WIRES carry the data. ( the other 2 wire are the power supply.

wasnt the Firewire used in DCS components ? does that provide for better sonic information ?

Arj,

(Based on my limited knowledge) the firewire has similar limitations as the USB ( Compared to the I2S) because the Firewire also is a serial interface.

It is asynchronous ( No Master Clock ) and a serial interface ( same wires carry the data and all other signals )

The Firewire is faster than the USB-1 ( therefore a Better alternate ) and rubs shoulders with USB-2.....

Nothing to match the I2S with its separate wires for data & clock, and a dedicated Master Clock