Acoustic Zen MC2 110 ohm?

I’m using the MC2 between a Node 2i and an MHDT Orchid and it sounds great.  A huge improvement over the internal DAC.  The MC2 is big and needs about 6 inches clearance behind the unit to make a bend.  The 2i has limited room around the RCA jack and the MC2 a fat jack so direct plug in isn’t possible.  I have a couple AQ gold plated RCA 90’s and that solved both issues.

Thanks, that's good to know. I see what you mean about the jack on the Node2 being recessed and having limited room around it. I already have them hooked together with a different cable with no problem. Must have a smaller end. Will look into the RCA 90's you have.

I run a set of 1.5M AZ MZ2 between my source and processor for years. It is every bit as good as my other reference cables. Kimber D60(BNC),  Orchard(AES/EBU), Tara Lab Master(AES/EBU), etc. But I may get some hateful remarks by referring you one other option.

Cable Solutions "Signature Series 77"
This is an industrial standard 75ohm cable with true 75ohm termination in either phono and BNC configuration. Having a sophisticated system with isolated frontend backend system, I am running a 68 feet length to my transport to DAC. After extensive evaluation, I find this long cable every bit as capable as my other much shorter cables. Please do yourself a favor and audition this high quality cable. I humbly consider this a hidden gem. Very inexpensive so you have minimal risk. 

Best Regards
Mosler666

PS: Currently used in a Mod-5 figure $ system.

I’ve gone through the same issue as you, and think I finally understand why you ask that question.  It seems that the AES cable spec is the default spec statement for the MC2 as a product line. That has a 110 ohm standard and so that’s why you see the MC2 as having 110 ohm.  But you’re safe to assume that the coax version is the coax standard 75. At least I really hope so.  

I'm here to correct my answer from last year in case someone comes across this thread.  I emailed Acoustic Zen and they confirmed that the MC2 cables, even with the RCA termination, are 110 ohm.  They are not 75 ohm.  Both of my DACs (a Holo May and a Schiit Yggy) require/recommend a 75-ohm cable, hmmmm. 

I’ve been using a 1m MC2 with RCAs and it sounds excellent in all respects, so if the 110 Ohm rating is impacting the sound I certainly don’t hear anything negative. I emailed AZ about this but never got a response, which was a bit disappointing. I’ve looked a little online and the answers were mixed as to whether this is an issue or not. All I know is the MC2 was a huge step up in performance across the board from both my Apogee Wyde Eye and Stereovox XV2 (descendant of the Kimber Illuminations D60) cables that are both considered to be pretty decent so I was very surprised at the absolute level of improvement it provided. Maybe someone more knowledgeable about digital cables here might have some thoughts on this?

@soix I've been considering a new digital coax cable to go between my Denon DCD-1700NE sacd player and my Gustard R26 dac.  Using the various cables that I had, streaming sounds better than cd playback through the same Gustard dac (I2s input).

I can rip cds to my Innuos Zen Mk3, so I'm not wanting to spend the money on a dedicated transport. 

I read your comments and decided to try the Acoustic Zen MC2.  I found a nice used cable on USAM. It delivered today and I've got it hooked up.  I need to spend more time with it, but so far, it seems excellent. 

110 ohms be damned.  Lol. 

@sls883  Hey thanks for the follow up and glad it’s working out so far.  Nice system BTW!

@soix   Thanks!

Update & Correction:

In a previous post (now deleted), I remarked that the SQ was very similar when I connected my AES/EBU digital cable (3 pin) from the 110 ohm output on my DDC to the 75 ohm S/PDIF (2 pin) on my DAC – whether using a simple XLR/RCA adapter (with no ohm conversion) – or – using an in-line 110/75 ohm conversion. 

I made that comment after the new XLR/RCA adapter had been burning-in for a week. After another month of burning-in, the SQ has changed considerably.* New results.

Now, after several trials, the SQ suffers significantly going from the 110 ohm output on the DDC to the 75 ohm S/PDIF input on my DAC using only the XLR/RCA adapter without the ohm conversion. The SQ is flat, congested, compressed. Using the 110/75 ohm converter offers a far superior SQ. A more faithful reproduction.** 

So, for those who are considering interfacing 110 ohm with 75 ohm, do some of your own testing to determine what works best for your ears. YMMV

- - - -

*I guess the metal in the adapter needed more time to react to the low level signal.

** In my system.

I have been using Acoustic Zen’s Absolute Copper true 75 Ohm RCA 1.5 meter digital cable from my Jay’s Audio CD Transport to my Mojo Audio Mystique X-24AM dac with very good results. I also use the AZ Absolute Copper RCA interconnects throughout my system and am extremely happy with the sound.

Best wishes,

Don