Down below is pretty good for an optical cable too. Reasonable amounts of weight conveyed and overall, rhythmically secure.
That said, the Lifatec / optical link trades away bass articulation and drama when compared to the I2S link (Blue Jean, CAT7). The 1704Ks' way with dramatic, unmitigated bass definition and 'sonic architecture' comes more to the fore with the I2S link.
I have some Belden 8042 coming soon, and can compare that alongside on the same DAC for more insight. I should also note that the I2S upsamples the signal to 96kHz to the DAC, which (to my mind) adds complexity and could make it worse (although easier on the digital filter, presumably).
Big J
"... only a very few individuals understand as yet that personal salvation is a contradiction in terms."
