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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
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.

fastfreight
1,305 posts
 

@audphile1 said:

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. 

This is correct.  Different set ups sound better one way or another.  If you want to use the (?better) clock in the DAC use USB.

@audio-b-dog asks:

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

Yes.  It sounds better with a better cable.  At least it does to me.  I can hear it.  I actually prefer a better AES cable if I am using coax or AES output of the streamer.  Network Acoustics makes great cables.  Even better are Kubala Sosna.  Other good ones have been mentioned here, better easily than Pangea.

Note folks that recommend a better cable state they have tried them and hear a difference.  Naysayers point to an article or philosophy and say they do not make a difference.  I have never heard a detractor state they have tried one and can not hear a difference... I recommend trying one.

mahler123
4,103 posts
 

I noted a difference with better HDMI cables for picture clarity and sound.  That convinced me that there must be something that better digital cables do over the bog standard ones.  I can’t say I actually noticed an improvement with other digital interfaces but I think it’s reasonable to go up the chain a bit, but not into the stratosphere.  That’s my approach to analog cables as well 

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