AES/EBU, Digital or Coaxial Between Transport-DAC


Which connection between the transport and DAC is recommended? I will need to choose a cable to go between the transport and DAC.

Transport will be a Krell KPS-30i CD player and DAC is a Musical Fidelity M1.

Any thoughts appreciated.
ryder

Showing 2 responses by almarg

While there are a number of unpredictable variables that could conceivably tip the balance in either direction, AES/EBU has several theoretical advantages in comparison with S/PDIF, and more often than not I would expect AES/EBU to be the best choice.

Regards,
-- Al
I read that toslink is preferred over S/PDIF, though I agree that unknown variables can tip the balance to either direction.
While Toslink (optical S/PDIF) avoids the potential for ground loop issues and impedance matching issues that may arise with coaxial S/PDIF, it can have issues of its own, related to transducer quality and to slow risetimes and falltimes that can contribute to jitter.

My perception has been that more often than not member posts reporting on comparisons between those two interfaces have favored the coaxial (electrical) alternative.

Best of luck, however you decide to proceed! Regards,

-- Al