AES/EBU vs XLR cables for digital connection


I did look to see if this issue was addressed in earlier discussions but couldn't find any specific information, so here's the story: I've ordered a Sonnet Hermes streamer to complement my Sonnet Morpheus DAC, and since the DAC doesn't have the I2S port (it's USB instead, though I understand I can change this if I want to), the best available connection will be via AES/EBU. I already have a pretty good XLR cable (Clarus Aqua) which I previously used for analog connection but I'm wondering if there's any advantage to using a true 110-ohm AES/EBU cable or if the standard XLR (the impedance of which I don't actually know) will work just as well. Have any of you done an A/B comparison between these two types of cable? Opinions are welcome. Thanks.

cooper52

Showing 1 response by hgeifman

I use the Shunyata Omega AES/EBU Digital 1.5 m cable and like it very much. It connects my Aurender N20 server to my MSB DAC. I experimented using an USB vs AES/EBU cables. After testing for 2-weeks, the AES/EBU cable sounded much better.

I use the Shunyata Sigma V2 interconnect XLR cable, 1.5 meters cable to connect my DAC to my amplifier.