Snakeoil Forums - Computer to Accuphase via HS-Link

HS-Link (first digital input from the left) is a proprietary protocol by Accuphase:

In theory this should be the 'cleanest', 'unmolested' audio input feed for Accuphase products. Is it possible to by-pass the USB input and use this instead?

This is what I know about HS-Link. Absolutely nothing! [Image: confused.gif]

However, my collegue Steve has kindly provided the following graphic.

So here's the little we know so far about Accuphase's HS-Link:

It is a balanced I²S signal.
RJ-45 female input JACK (d'uh!)
Pin out are as follows:
Pin-1 to Pin-6 are balanced inputs (i.e. from player to DAC). These are the balanced I²S stuffs for long distance transmission.
Pin-7 and Pin-8 are outputs from DAC to player. Not entirely sure if this is balanced or not, but assuming it's balanced.
Ground is probably via STP's shield.
It sorta works with Denon Link (Audio cuts out every few seconds)

So the key is literally on point 5, key. We assume this key is an encryption key (token) sent by the Accuphase DAC to the Accuphase DP players, and the DP will not transmit the I2S packets unless a valid token is received. Big Grin

This in theory shouldn't be a problem with computers, because there is no DRM.

First thing to try is to send a balanced I2S feed with the 2 Key pins floated. This is the only thing I have on my hand at the moment, a Audio-Gd DI-2014:

What's a Digital Interface? It's a box that will reclock USB or S/PDIF and re-transmit the 'cleaned' audio signal in either I²S, balanced I²S and S/PDIF:

So the idea is to cut up a HDMI cable and a STP cable, and pin for pin match the output of the DI-2014 into the input of the HS-Link. Sounds easy enough I guess, but can be dangerous. (See the please note section above).

Hopefully in the next few weeks I can get to try and see what happens.... Hopefully nothing get's blown up as I probably wouldn't bother getting this fixed if that happens [Image: bird.gif]

. This input goes direct to the FPGA chip, so if that is blown, likely all inputs will no longer work.

The 'direct input' is one temptation that's hard to resist though, no conversion of audio signal should in theory yield better audio. Granted technically there is still a conversion happening with the DI-2014 (as it's converting USB data from the copmputer). This is just a 'proof of concept' for now.. If this works, we will have to look for a PC solution (i.e. an audio card with balanced I²S out, e.g. Pink Faun). AFAIK there is no Linux driver for the Pink Faun yet. I wonder if I'm good enough to write one. [Image: steal.gif]

Update: Got the cables. Will attempt to do this over the Christmas break. Watch this space :kiss: !!! Don't expect HS-Link will work, but hey, who knows really?

(14-Dec-2017, 10:09 AM)agent_kith Wrote: [ -> ]First thing to try is to send a balanced I2S feed with the 2 Key pins floated. This is the only thing I have on my hand at the moment, a Audio-Gd DI-2014:

What's a Digital Interface? It's a box that will reclock USB or S/PDIF and re-transmit the 'cleaned' audio signal in either I²S, balanced I²S and S/PDIF:

So the idea is to cut up a HDMI cable and a STP cable, and pin for pin match the output of the DI-2014 into the input of the HS-Link. Sounds easy enough I guess, but can be dangerous. (See the please note section above).

Hopefully in the next few weeks I can get to try and see what happens.... Hopefully nothing get's blown up as I probably wouldn't bother getting this fixed if that happens . This input goes direct to the FPGA chip, so if that is blown, likely all inputs will no longer work.

The 'direct input' is one temptation that's hard to resist though, no conversion of audio signal should in theory yield better audio. Granted technically there is still a conversion happening with the DI-2014 (as it's converting USB data from the copmputer). This is just a 'proof of concept' for now.. If this works, we will have to look for a PC solution (i.e. an audio card with balanced I²S out, e.g. Pink Faun). AFAIK there is no Linux driver for the Pink Faun yet. I wonder if I'm good enough to write one.

Update: Got the cables. Will attempt to do this over the Christmas break. Watch this space !!! Don't expect HS-Link will work, but hey, who knows really?

Hi AK,
Any update on getting the HS-link connection working.
Now I've gone to an Accuphase DP-560 it would be nice the use an IsS connection.

(13-Aug-2018, 04:19 PM)a.dent Wrote: [ -> ]Any update on getting the HS-link connection working.
Now I've gone to an Accuphase DP-560 it would be nice the use an IsS connection.

Congrats on the move to Accuphase... You can't go wrong with this brand really.

Havn't had a chance to look into this yet unfortunately. So many other things cropped up this is relagated to the back burner.. Sad

Seeing it has a USB input (with support up to 11.2896 MHz/1-bit DSD), the DP-560 might support native DSD. Have you tried the SoTM to this USB and see if it works? If not, maybe it's possible to get this working in Snakeoil OS. All I need is the diagnostics file (will probably need 1 or 2 goes to get it working though).

Note to self, need to get myself one of this one day:

(11-Sep-2018, 01:08 PM)agent_kith Wrote: [ -> ]Note to self, need to get myself one of this one day:

I think this would help you more:
http://www.twistedpearaudio.com/digital/teleporter.aspx

(13-Aug-2018, 04:32 PM)agent_kith Wrote: [ -> ]
(13-Aug-2018, 04:19 PM)a.dent Wrote: [ -> ]Any update on getting the HS-link connection working.
Now I've gone to an Accuphase DP-560 it would be nice the use an IsS connection.

Congrats on the move to Accuphase... You can't go wrong with this brand really.

Havn't had a chance to look into this yet unfortunately. So many other things cropped up this is relagated to the back burner..

Seeing it has a USB input (with support up to 11.2896 MHz/1-bit DSD), the DP-560 might support native DSD. Have you tried the SoTM to this USB and see if it works? If not, maybe it's possible to get this working in Snakeoil OS. All I need is the diagnostics file (will probably need 1 or 2 goes to get it working though).

Hi, I am also very interested in the possible opportunity of connecting Non-Accuphase devices via HS-link (I2S). Cool

Have you had a chance to give it a try? Cheers, Mark.

(30-Jan-2019, 06:39 PM)Markuzz Wrote: [ -> ]Hi, I am also very interested in the possible opportunity of connecting Non-Accuphase devices via HS-link (I2S). Have you had a chance to give it a try? Cheers, Mark.

What do you mean by non accuphase devices? As a source? Right now, even if I get this to work (a big if), the source will be a PC. Other hardware is beyond my capability unfortunately. Sad

This is the only post I found regarding this topic. I´d like to do the same with Denon Link, so if anyone ever finds a solution - let us know.

(07-Dec-2022, 05:53 PM)ozorfis Wrote: [ -> ]This is the only post I found regarding this topic. I´d like to do the same with Denon Link, so if anyone ever finds a solution - let us know.

A crazy friend of ours connect a player with DenonLink 3 to an Accuphase DAC. You can briefly hear music before the audio is cut off.. So the two are very close to being compatible, probably I2S. To be honest we havn't progressed any further than that.

Number 1 thing that I'm personally unsure about is the legalities moving forward. And even if it's legal, we need an electronics guru to decipher the comms and work out what is wrong.