Hi, welcome to the forum @Jaytor! Congrats on the Gaia purchase. I prefer i2S input with both of my Denafrips DAC's but of course experiment and see what you think. There are no rules and we all hear differently and have our own sonic preferences. I think I2S sounds more open and airy with a larger, more well-defined sound stage. Of course this could be system dependent.
HDMI cables can be a bit finicky. My Gaia has worked with all HDMI cables (audiophile and generic) but my Iris DDC only seems to work with a generic HDMI. My Tubulus Argentus and Blue Jeans HDMI's work for a little bit between the Iris and Venus 2, then noise takes over. I am still trying to figure out why. The Argentus is very full-bodied while still having good detail. I think it balances nicely with the Denafrips DAC's in OS mode, slow filter.
I do like the Argentus. I had a Revelation Audio Labs HDMI which was defective, sent back for a replacement and I have been waiting for the replacement cable for around 3 months. Supposedly the Revelation is exceptionally detailed, but not as full bodied, but right now, I'd just say it is very silent sounding, like there is no cable, because, there is no Revelation cable in my system.
If the Revelation never shows up, I'm quite happy with the Argentus and don't plan to do any more experimenting.
Edited to add further detail.
HDMI cables can be a bit finicky. My Gaia has worked with all HDMI cables (audiophile and generic) but my Iris DDC only seems to work with a generic HDMI. My Tubulus Argentus and Blue Jeans HDMI's work for a little bit between the Iris and Venus 2, then noise takes over. I am still trying to figure out why. The Argentus is very full-bodied while still having good detail. I think it balances nicely with the Denafrips DAC's in OS mode, slow filter.
I do like the Argentus. I had a Revelation Audio Labs HDMI which was defective, sent back for a replacement and I have been waiting for the replacement cable for around 3 months. Supposedly the Revelation is exceptionally detailed, but not as full bodied, but right now, I'd just say it is very silent sounding, like there is no cable, because, there is no Revelation cable in my system.
If the Revelation never shows up, I'm quite happy with the Argentus and don't plan to do any more experimenting.
Edited to add further detail.
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