BEST DIGITAL AES/EBU CABLES - 2011

Sidssp,
I know that there is a good cables available at low and medium priced category (tested over 20 cables in past year), but can you say that there is no better cable in higher priced category...

Sorry, but there is better cables existing in higher priced category, but it depends who is willing to pay the price... I do ..., but as said at the beginning thread that I wanted to include these six cables, which are over $1.000,00 and rated high in many audiophile communities (Asia, Europe and USA) as the best cables over $1000 category.

Sidssp, you can think that its not worth of paying higher price, but the reality has shown otherwise to achieve the maximum results ...of course depends on your system ...it does not make sense to put $5.000,00 cable to same priced system ...and I know that e.g. some cheaper cables beats e.g. Nordost AES/EBU ..BUT as Neal stated about his experience and the Varidig Sextet, I strongly agree with Neal that Sextet is a strong AES/EBU, but is it the best?!

...And newcomer ASI Liveline along with Kubala-Sosna Emotion are interesting and I have not had change to test them yet, but in next month I will have chance to test these cables ...and would like to hear audiophiles experiences...
Like said, this is thread to share experiences / information that provide support / guidance audiophiles when starting look around a new AES/EBU cables...
And I think I am not the only one who is ready to pay higher price, if needed ...to achieve the best sound out of my system and real-sounding system... Even I am a very happy and satisfied ...But I still continue searching the better ...ultimate perfection ...sound that I have not yet hear ;=)
...This is not cheapest hobby and everybody does not have chance to out cable (though I have), but its all about team spirit and support inside audiophile community...

Teajay,
You have a great cable no doubt as Sextet is at least a one of the best cables available, but before I will buy a new cable I would like to hear are there similar view as I have about these cables.
Would it be too much trouble for you to give a deeper view to those cables you tested?
Which cables you went thru and what are the strengths of Sextet vs. those other cables ...And was there any other cable that you could recommend otr consider e.g. recommendations to the bright, neutral and warm (tube) sounding systems...
I know that sextet works with warm and neutral sounded systems, but how about those other cables you tried? Have you had a chance to try e.g. MIT Oracle MA-X or other cables listed in here? MIT is only that I have not chance to get for the test...
Audio Nirvana, Sextet and Transparent I have tested and as mentioned testing continues on next month with Kubala and ASI...
- Ilkka -

Hi Teajay,

Great input and similar experiences that I have with Sextet and in the next few weeks I will have a chance to test Kubala-Sosna (I hope) and ASI Liveline AES/EBU cables.
I am a very interested to hear what are the differences between MIT Oracle MA-X and Sextet? I know that Sextet is the best I know ...so far as not been able review Kubala and Asi yet.
Please, if somebody has had a chance to do real comparison between MIT and Sextet, your input will be highly appreciated. I have heard extremely good reviews about MIT, that its delivers almost everything perfectly, but also downsides are that its not able deliver reality and be lively sounding as Sextet? Can someone comment on that?

Teajay, my system is pretty neutral sounding, and I think Sextet is a strongest contender at the moment, but like said Kubala and ASI on the way to my and my friend systems ...And I always appriciate audiophiles you are willing to share they experiences and recommendations on the way searching the perfect audio nirvana ;=)

- Ilkka -

Hi Richard,

Thanks for your great input. As described the Kubala-Sosna is for people who love very warm sound...
As I love details (though I am not freak ;=)) and neutral sound (why I love Millenium MK IV), you can easily make differences with different component (pc or interconnect).

...how you would describe MIT vs. Sextet in case of neutrality and instruments sounding close to real?
...Is MIT able to deliver instruments warmth or is MIT a lot of dynamics and details leaning a little bit more analytical side comparing to Sextet?

...Frankly saying if we assume that system is E2E a very neutral sounding from recordings point, but instruments should take a little step forward sounding a more real which one you would recommend?
(Taking guitar and playing it vs. recording)

Sorry that I tried to approach a same thing from different angles, but hopefully you understand what I am looking for ;=)

Yes, we audiophiles have different tastes, but there are also the people who share the same taste ;=) My perfect audio nirvana is that instruments e.g. guitar sound close to real and neutral (warmth sound is there when it is there) even I would played myself at the same time when playing the same song from front end (source) ;=)

We have not executed our tests yet.

the Hi-Fi Expo is coming up in Helsinki ...So it will take a some extra time before this review is done / wrapped up.
I will get back when this is done. Test will cover up the most of these cables mentioned in here and there is need for break-in period.

Glory, if you are considering the S/PDIF cable, I would recommend either MIT or Sextet, depending on your system.
What I have heard from people is that ASI Liveline is stronger contender with AES/EBU than S/PDIF connection.

MIT makes great cables, but their customer service "Suc...s" as they do not even bother to answer some technical questions ...related to jitter and quarter wave length issues as there is different implementation techniques which can have a some level impact.

Especially jitter has a big impact to the sound quality.