AES/EBU cable length; CD to DAC- 1.5 m or very short?


I an running a 1.5 m cable between a CD transport and a DAC, however, because of a rearrangement of gear I can now us a .5 m cable between the CD transport and DAC. I am aware of the argument that a minimum of a 1.5 m cable should be used between transport and DAC, as propounded by Steve Nugent. I also have read that if you can go really short, that is not only OK too, but perhaps even better. 

Theory is fine, but wondering what peoples' actual experience has been. Keep the 1.5 meter length or go to .5 meter? I have been and will continue to be listening and comparing for myself, however, I am curious about other folks' experiences. 
128x128zavato

Showing 1 response by audioengr

CD transports tend to have slow rise-times, so in order to prevent more jitter being added due to reflections, go with 1.5m minimum.  See my white-paper:

https://positive-feedback.com/Issue14/spdif.htm

This has been verified by double-blind testing at Canadian hi-fi magazine.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio