I think the above information from Simaudio suggests that the quality of the cable running from the CD transport should not matter at all. My $14 one (on the way) should work as well as a $4,000 one. Anyway, I will test it against the RCA analogue interconnect that does seem to work quite well.
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?
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That’s just simply not true. Try a $200 cable from DH Labs, Veritas, Morrow, Triode Wire Labs, etc. who I think all offer free trials and you’ll see what you’re missing with little/no risk. That you already heard a significant difference between a cheap optical and RCA interconnect should tell you digital cables most certainly make a difference. |
I haven't received the 75 ohm optical coax yet. So, I'm still waiting for that test. Which dealer do you suggest whom you know will take back a cable? I deal a lot with Music Direct. Maybe they will? On paper, technically, there is a good argument that a cheap cable will work as well as an expensive one since the signal will be clocked after it is received by the streamer. |
While this is true, if you have the curiosity and time, it doesn’t hurt to audition the $4,000 digital cable. If only to remove any lingering doubt whether it makes any difference in sound quality. Read the fine print tho. Shipping and restocking fees can be substantial.
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Well coax is not optical and optical is not coax. And…there’s no DAC I’m aware of that would not benefit from better cable and cleaner signal. @audio-b-dog I suggested that Kimber D60 from eBay that’s sold by Kimber. They will take it back. Kimber customer service is truly top notch. $14 cable will provide no insight into what a better cable can do. You are wasting $14. Dealers who will take back the cable: Kimber (direct sales), Wireworld (direct sales), Music Direct, Upscale Audio, TMR Audio.
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