Opinions on lower priced digital that can compete

I have heard and Owned numerous digital cables. Several that you mention above. The Stereovox does reside on the lean side of things and is very analytical sounding to me. Kind of like the D-60 can be in the wrong setup. I do not know what DAC you have but paired with something like a Benchmark DAC-1, it will make you teeth hurt.. LOL..

I would advise you to consider following. Purchase a nicer cable used here on Audiogon and make the most of your money.

One of the best bang for the buck Digital Cables I have used period is the Original XLO Reference 1 Digital Cable. They can be found for $100.00 and are amazingly good on a variation of gear. Transpareny, Dynamics, Huge Soundstage, and Musicality in Spades.

The Current Reference 4A is a new an improved version of the orginal and is very similiar sounding but will cost you a little more. Also, the Signature and Signature 2 are also excellent and yes, even a bigger step up but well worth it if you can swing the extra coin. I would keep my eyes pealed for one of these cables to pop up on E-bay, Fatwyre.com, or here on Audiogon.

If you need something to get you by until you find one. I would suggest just picking up an Apogee Wyde Eye or a Canare Digiflex Gold as they are great for the money and you can usually sell them for almost what you pay for them here on Audiogon.

There is more information on the XLO stuff here: www.xloelectric.com

Good luck,

Chris

"12-15-06: Sbrtoy
In response to the "make your teeth hurt" comment...I run a DAC-1 with a Stereovox HDXV and have found it a great match. Kid, if your setup causes such discomfort I think there are some issues elsewhere in your system. The Stereovox is not a tone control, I have found it to be extremely neutral overall and the price is attractive."

Sbrtoy,

I did not mean to take a dig, I was just stating my opinion and experience as I heard the combination locally and it was unfornately very thin and analytical sounding. We switched sources to a YBA Blue Laser CDP and the sound improved dramatically. It was not in my system and no, there are no issues with my setup. LOL.

From what I have heard they updated the newer Benchmark DACs so maybe it is a better match with the Stereovox cable as you are experiencing. Again, it all boils down to system synergy and it sounds like you have it.

As far as using cables as tone controls, that is not the case for me. Digital cables do sound dramatically different and yes the goal is usually to find something uncolored and neutral. But again it all comes down to system synergy and what works.. The Stereovox stuff just does not do it for me and yes, I have tried it.

Cheers,

Chris