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Do I need an expensive digital cable?

I have been using a fairly inexpensive optical cable to connect my CD transport to my Moon 280D streamer. I was told that an SPDIFcoax cable would sound better. For an experiment I purchased an inexpensive Pangea coax cable. It didn't sound at all because its terminator ends did not fit snugly in my equipment. I consulted chatgbt who often gives me audio advice. It advised that for the short run of 1 meter, an RCA interconnect would work. It did. And sounded much better than the optical. Chatgbt said that RCA interconnect was good enough.

Now, there is a twist to this story that might make those doubters think twice. A digital cable carries packets of information that are rechecked to assure that the streamer is recieving correct information. There is the timing concern, though. But my Moon 280D has an asynchronous DAC with a clock as part of the DAC. Any information sent by my transport, whether it is clocked by the transport or not, will go through the Moon's asynchronous DAC's clock. So ;there shouldn't be a timing problem. Should there?

Can anyone make a case that I should buy a "better" coax cable?

audio-b-dog
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audphile1's avatar
audphile1
8,170 posts
 

Actually 75ohm impedance for a digital coax cable. 
@audio-b-dog Kimber Kable throws demos on ebay. I bought their phono cables there.  They have a D60 with 30 days return policy.

https://ebay.us/m/mhO0oY

Regular RCA cables are not suitable for a digital connection due to impedance. It would still work but would cause timing issues. 
When you are using AES or coax connection to your dac you are relying on a clock in your transport. USB connection would prioritize the clock in your DAC. 
Jitter, RFI and EMI are the elements that impact sound quality. Type of conductor makes a difference as well. 

 

audio-b-dog's avatar
audio-b-dog OP
883 posts
 

@audphile1 

So, the big question seems to be what clock I am using. I have been told that the clock on my asynchronous DAC overrides the clock in my transport. The dealer has assured me of this, knowing I am using a coax SPDIF connection. He says it doesn't matter whether I am using coax or optical. I have checked with chatgbt since it looks over all the information on the web that I would be able to access. Please let me know what sources you are using that say the clock on my transport overrides the clock on my asynchronous DAC. I will check with Moon.

jasonbourne71's avatar
jasonbourne71
1,878 posts
 

Go to the ASR forum:  Is SPDIF Cable Length "A Thing"? Regarding optical cables always use glass - never plastic.

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