Kana813,
sorry for the delayed answer - have not visited this topic lately because I was thinking it was closed.
Regarding: "Does your your transport and dac have transformers on the digital outputs/inputs? If so, do you know what brand they're using?"
On the XLR's probably, but I do not know which brand it ,is. Whenever I have to open up the cover of the DAC, I will pay attention to that. |
Teajay,
I agree with you concerning the statement "the best", but bear with me - I was just thrilled by the musical achievements of this cable after having experimented with digital cables for over three, mainly frustating, years!!! |
RJA,
once you have auditioned the Varidig Sextet, you will know for yourself where the Valhalla fits in!! I have compared them both and you know the result. Furthermore, these findings were consistent in other systems also |
I find the Sextet the second best digital in my system. I continue to use the Cerious Technologies. I found both superior to the Valhalla and the Siltech. I should say that I do use Cerious throughout my system. I got a friend to send me the Valhalla for several days. |
Kmiller5,
I've had the Stealth Varidig Sextet in my system for 3 weeks now and am very impressed with its performance. I'm not prepared to say it is the "best" digital cable available since there are many I have not heard, although I have heard quite a few. It is, however, the "best" digital cable I have had in my system. As you are asking for recommendations of digital cables to audition I enthusiastically recommend you give one of these a try. The Varidig is a 1 meter balanced cable terminated with the new Stealth titanium, silver and teflon XLR connectors. I don't know whether these connectors are sonically superior to the less costly option as I have not compared the two but they are definitely a quality termination from a build and design standpoint.
System: The Varidig is connecting data links between Wadia 27i and 270SE both with GNSC Reference mods. Clocklink is Optimism V2 AT&T (best I've heard for this purpose).
Most recent digital cables used: 2 Optimism V2 AT&T, one each for clocklink and data link. Marigo Labs Apparition 5.7 balanced.
Let me know if you would like more information on these. |
Kmiller5- surprised a AES/EBU Stealth Varidig Sextet outperformed a ST Glass connection. In what way(s) is it better than the fiber cable? |
Kana813,
First off, let me emphasize that this is my opinion in the context of my system. However there is no rule stating that AT&T optical cable is superior to any other type of digital interconnect. That being said, I did expect the Optimism V2 to perform better than it did simply because Wadias are optimised for AT&T (according to their literature). I found the AT&T datalink to be overly analytical, almost clinical and lifeless. To me these qualities added up to a un-natural presentation that was difficult to listen to. As I mentioned before though, the Optimism V2 is outstanding in the clocklink role.
The Marigo is a very fine cable but the Stealth improved on EVERY aspect of its performance. My discription of the Stealth is that its like a much better version of the Marigo. I think it's safe to say that if you like the Marigo you will like the Stealth even more.
There is the price difference to consider of course. I believe the Apparitions MSRP is $925 while the Varidig will list in the area of $3400(?). That's a significant price difference. Only an audition will determine if this is the right cable for you.
PS: The Marigo is extremely stiff and can be somewhat difficult to work with while the Stealth is much more flexible. |
I upgraded to the Synergistic Research Absolute Reference digital cable. It is a drastic improvement over the Marigo 5.6. The soundstage, bass, and aire are much improved. I am very impressed by the Synergistic line and am switching to all of their cables. The more of their cables I run in my system the closer it gets to where I want it. I have yet to hear the Stealth, but it's a little out of my price range to be honest. I am just a poor grad student at this point. |
kondo-Lpd is very very good.in my system it was the best one |
Has anyone heard the Kubala-Sosna or Pranawire digital cables? If so, how did they compare to others you've heard? |
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HI there, I would strongly suggest taking a look at Audio Metallury digital zero cable. The science behind it is cutting edge, I would also recomend upgrading the connectors to wbt silver next gen. I do not own the digital zero;but do own the zero ic's they are outragous. Break in is at least a coulple hundred hours, but well worth the wait |
How about cheaper AES/EBU cables: like Cardas, Nordost Moonglo, etc. These are under $300. Any suggestions in this price range? |
Try Signal Cable's AES/EBU for all of thirty something bucks before you drop big dollars. 30 day free trial.
I think it's outstanding! Even has silver contact pins. It's between a Sonic Frontiers transport and the Benchmark DAC1. |
if you can find the original, stiff, illuminati cable, jump on it. it's my favorite coax cable. it might keep me from selling my cal alpha and delta combo. i plan to sell them later this year. for a dac that has tubes, it sounds more like solid state. |
Creative Cable Concepts Green Hornet, very nice cable for real world dollars... |
Kondo Kls Lp if you want everything right plus sweetnes and musicality |
I'll contribute another vote of confidence for the Stealth Varidig Sextet. In my system (AN CDT3/DAC 4.1x Balanced Signature) it's the best I've heard by a good margin. Others I've tried include the Nirvana DC-110, the Acoustic Zen MC2, The TG Audio HSR and the Kimber KS-2120. The Stealth is significantly better than all of them. |
Ertugrul,
I'm intrigued by the Kondo but they seem difficult to come by. What's the best channel for acquiring one for audition? Do they come in balanced configuration? |
Rja,
Kondo ics are all singelended when i was playing balanced a friend modified the kondo ics too xlr this is for a experimented diy person very easy! |
Anyone heard the Virtual Dynamics Revelation 2 digital cables, either balanced or single ended? |
After being through quite a few, ended with a Virtual Dynamics Revelation Signature RCA.
Sounds incredible, the break-in period is lengthy, but worth the wait. |
I'm sorry, but I have a question for you that might be disturbing for some: there seems to be a sort of cable neurosis regarding digital interconnects. What is it good for? I'm not an expert, but to me the most important thing is that a digital cable should be ok in the first place, technically speaking. If the cable doesn't meet the enginering criteria for a proper digital interface, then it is flawed. Some are trying to "fine tune" the sound of their gear by using digital interconnects. I think this is not the right way. Digital interconnects are not analog signal interconnects! If a digital interconnect is sounding very different than the other interconnects (that are engineered properly), then this interconnect must be bad (from the engineer's eye).
Chris |
I agree.
And I would add that, if we were to confine our observations to just those digital
cables that are correctly engineered (assuming we knew), I think we would still
hear differences, which is a very curious thing. |
I don't want to open a can of worms here, it's been opened many times before. But I've tried many digital cables, all over the board as far as price, and they all sounded different. I'm not able to offer an explanation for these differences but I do know they exist. As far as which is better, it's purely a subjective opinion and dependent on a host of variables.
One thing for sure, if you own good quality separates you owe yourself some experimentation with digital cables to achieve optimum performance of your digital front end. I'm not neccessarily suggesting the most expensive cable is the best choice. But there are probably 2 or 3 cables that will work best with your set-up. I would also experiment with RCA, BNC and XLR terminations as well as ATT if you have them as some of these sound better depending on your equipment.
To dismiss this subject off-hand could waste some of the sonic potential (and investment) that you have made in your DAC and transport. BTW: Happy New Year to all you Gon'ers! |
You can not find better than Acrolink DA6100. |
I love the Stealth stuff and this is a great SPDIF cable - true 75 ohm, wondrous detail, neutral with perhaps a hint of warmth. Once it settles in, you will keep it |
I just want to thank Rja for re-opening the #1 audiophile can of worms. I am an engineer, but I turn off that side of my brain when it comes to comparing cables. No matter how many very talented and experienced electronic experts try to explain that bits-are-bits or wire-is-wire, every digital cable sounds different. If many people want to trust their logic over their ears, that is their perogative. But I bought my equipment to please my ears. |
If the Stealth Varidig Sextet digital cable is the absolute best digital cable in existence (or at least the best digital cable on this planet), why are people selling this cable? If they have experienced "paradise", why would they want to go back to "earth"? Just curious...
Chris |
Marigo Audio has just released their new "Ultimate" digital cable. Ron tells me it's head and shoulders better than the last "Apparition" cable, however, I now use a one box CD player, and have no need of a digital cable. Good listening. |
Warjarret,
I'm in 100% agreement with your post.
Dazzdax,
There are better digital cables than the Stealth Varidig Sextet although IMO it is an excellent cable. I have tried the best Kharma and Siltech digital cables but settled on the Virtual Dynamics Revelation Signature. However, the Siltech was very close. Have not heard the VD Genesis. At some point I would also like to try the Acrolink Mexcel series. These opinions of course are in the context of my own system and may not hold true across the board.
Also, some Varidig Sextet owners probably went to one box CDPs.
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Rja, in which departments is the Virtual Dynamics Revelation Signature superior to the Stealth Varidig Sextet? What do you think of the Marigo Aperition? How does your top-3 digital cables look like?
Chris |
All cables are system dependent.
When users change their transport and/or dac, it stands to reason that a different digital cable may provide better synergy.
It's that simple. |
I will throw my 2 cents into the mix.
I agree that cables are very much system dependent & many of the cables listed in this thread are very good cables.
Some I have tried & some not.
Some much better than others.
After trying quite a few different Digital cables in the last few years I Highly Recommend Virtual Dynamics Genesis.
This cable just blows away any dig. cable I have ever tried.
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I tried the Stealth Varidig Sextet in my system last year based on the many glowing reviews on this forum. It wasn't even close to the Tara Labs 0.8 digital that I had in place at the time. It suffered in detail retrieval, bass control, and PRAT compared to the Tara. I had SIGNIFICANT trouble getting my money back as well. Apparently the cable was signed for but they claimed to have never received it. Good thing it was insured, because that's how I got my money back. I will leave out the details, but it took me 9 months to get my money back, and the customer service was lacking to say the least IMHO. |
both your source and pre/pro have AES EBU connector digital input(110 Ohm looks like XLR) so use Wydeye 110 Ohm cable from Apogee electronics you can't go wrong I have compared it to the best SPDIF including the D-60 Illuminatti form Kimber and other MIT, Digital Link and soem other custom made super expensive cables, the best hands down is the Apogee for about $45 depend on length, with the rest of the money go to a live concert enjoy life, or a dinner out with your wife, or your gilrlfriend (not both).
Take care;
Gonzalo |
there is a problem with this question:
in addition to system dependency there is preference.
for a given system there may be many favorite digital cables based upon a listeners preference.
it is hard to take the answers to this question too seriously.
at best, it pays to listen to as many cables as possible, regardless of suggestions and opinions.
listen, listen and listen, regardless of price. it's trial and error. better it be your error than relying on someone e
lse to supply the error for you.
in general, the variables of stereo system and preference make any component suggestions potentially unreliable for future purchases. |
Albert, in my opinion the Purist Audio Dominus digital is a refined but a bit laid back cable.
Chris |
The only digital cable that recently unseated my Virtual Dynamics Revelation Signature in my system is John Prator's Silkworm digital.
With a combination of Gold and Silver conductors, locking Platinum WBT RCA's,
incredibly musical and sublime performance. |
As usual, little or no agreement. Does anyone get any benefit from such threads? |
The best TRANSPARENT cable you can afford. |
Acrolink is the underground gaint killer - just take a look at the new found interest in cable plugs and then take a look at the Acro gear and you can see where these guys are coming from - I have the 5070 and once u handle it, you will be amazed byt the build and attention to detail - great sound too ! |
Synergistic Research D3 digital cable... |
I second Rx8man's recommend of KCI's Digital cable. I believe it's called the Silkworm "Pegasus" digital. It's not listed on his website, but contact John directly. He made me a custom one and it is Superb. |
Shadowshaman & Rx8man,
How are your KCI digital cables terminated, rca, bnc or xlr?
Thanks! |
Sorry Rx8man, I see in your post that you're using locking rca's. I'm currently using a balanced VD Revelation Signature which I believe is an excellent digital cable (replaced the Varidig Sextet) but it is very heavy (1.5m=8lbs) and unwieldy. I've got it bungied to my rack to relieve pressure on the terminations. |
Rja, mine is WBT locking RCA to Vampire BNC. It's a very lightweight manageable cable with absolutely no need for any type of supports. I'm done with PITA unwieldy cables. |
