COAX Cable Recommendations.... need some glitter


Hello Dear Audiophile maniacs....

This past year I have upgraded my main system and I have been taken aback with the influence that cables and interconnects have had!

My new setup seems to be very resolving. I recently tried a Cardast Clear USB cable between my Mac Mini (which will soon be replaced with the Nagra Streamer) and my DAC, and the difference was (to me) huge ...soundstage, glitter, separation, black silence, etc... My system has been rich in the midrange. When I recently added the cardast clear USB cable the shrill on the highs with some vocals has disappeared which was a relief.  all desirable influences. so... 

This level of audiophilia is like alchemy with electrons! 

I am curious what your recommendations are for a new/used cable for when my Nagra Streamer arrives. I would like a cable for my Nagra Streamer that will have the following qualities:

  • Works directly (with no adapters) between the port on the Nagra Streamer and the port on my Holo Audio Spring 2 DAC (Why are there 2 Coax Inputs on the DAC? I am unfamiliar in the requirements of COAX.)
  • I would like to have this new cable bring out the glitter, the forward clarity, crisp forward wet upper mids and highs. 

I listen to mostly acoustic instruments, vocals, horns, but also strings.. jazz and some classical. The occasional electronic and rock. 

Thank you all for your suggestions. 

R. 

whyrichard

Showing 1 response by lanx0003

For a coaxial digital cable, you want a precision-engineered 75-ohm cable with uniform impedance (incl. connector) to ensure accurate signal transmission and to prevent signal reflections caused by impedance mismatches with input/output devices. This requirement is less critical for analog applications.

Second, look for insulation with a low dielectric constant. The dielectric constant of vacuum and air is close to 1.0, while Teflon (PTFE) is around 2.0. Air-injected Teflon insulation can reduce the effective dielectric constant to around 1.4–1.5. Some products have developed such lower dielectric materials, which can significantly improve signal transmission, especially at high frequencies. Look for cables using such materials.

Once the impedance rating is matched, ideal length that people refer as 1.5-2.0 m can be less restrictive because the reflection is minimized.  If cable is high quality, well-shielded and imp. matched, 1 m is just fine and will perform equally well.