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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
westcoastaudiophile
819 posts
 

"Do I need an expensive digital cable?"

my short answer is no! for SQ improvement cable must be technically superior, that’s it! sometimes “expensive” cables only deliver optics, convenience and… prestige, no improvements in SQ!  

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

@westcoastaudiophile 

I think my question would be better worded if I asked whether a decent 75 ohn digital cable would be an improvement over my 50 ohm interconnect cable. I've got two on the way. One $14 one and one that sold for $300 new. It's a short run of one meter. I will see. I have never overly worried about cables. But this experiment is not that costly and I'm curious, especially about my ascynchronous DAC on the receiving end. Will it care what cable is sending it digital information that it will reclock anyway.

westcoastaudiophile
819 posts
 

@audio-b-dog 

Digital cable must be 75 Ohms characteristic impedance one, no doubt.

danielinvermont
22 posts
 

For digital coax, Belden 4694P from Iconoclast is difficult if not impossible to beat for the price of $86 for three feet (and the 30-day return policy).  Go to this link and scroll down to "S/PDIF Digital Audio":

https://www.iconoclastcable.com/bav/index.htm

bigkidz
3,504 posts
 

OK My 2 cents

@audio-b-dog 

@audphile1 

Gentlemen, as a manufacturer we have had the opportunity to try so many options in audio.  Digital cables make a difference, to what degree is up to your own ears.  We have had decent results with cheap cables and better results with more expensive cables.  The cable we ended up with was the Jorma.  What did it do differently then the others, better overall separation of vocals and instruments, depth of sound stage, some clarity, etc.  Was it a big difference sometimes more that others.  It was just more likeable to our ears in our systems.

If you would like to hear one (I am not a dealer or associated with Jorma in anyway), I may know someone who has a 1M RCA terminated one he does not use.  I could ask him if he would mail it to you and what price he is asking.

Happy Listening.

 

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