Digital Cables: Optical, Coax, BNC, or a simple RCA interconnect?


Until recently I've been using a WireWorld Optical cable (~$100) which I bought when I was using a Pioneer PD 65 CD player as a transport (until it died) and optical was the only out option. So, I've been using my Oppo 105 to play both SACDs direct via XLRs to my Audio Alchemy DDP-1 dac/pre and recently using the optical cable for redbook playback.

Last week I was reading up on Coax, and one thread suggested trying a regular RCA interconnect, although the connectors are not 75ohms. I had a pair of DHLabs BL-1 (older light blue jacket) laying around and decided to compare it to the optical. Easy Peasy as the DDP-1 has various input connections which can be accessed on the remote. Well, amazing doesn't come close to how much the music became alive/tactile/3D.
So, I looked on DHLabs site after reading that their D-750 was highly regarded. They will let me return it if Im not satisfied. That's the good news, but a 1.0m cable is $150, certainly not expensive, but Pangea makes one that seems extremely well thought out and it's on sale at Audio Advisor for $49.95 plus free shipping, so I ordered it. Depending on how much it blows me away I may go ahead and order the DHLabs too, just to compare
Anybody have anything to contribute?
tweak1

Showing 1 response by auxinput

I haven't really used 1.5M cables, but the longer 2M cables are always superior to the short 1M cables (just search for "digital reflection on short cable").

Pangea makes decent stuff, but it's not the overall best.  The Pangea cables I have tested are pretty good, but can come across just a bit dull when compared to better cables.

I don't actually know how the "Pangea Premier XL" is going to compare with the DH Labs D-750.  They are both coax RG-6 type 18awg silver-plated solid-core copper with foamed PE insulation.  The DH Labs is $50 more expensive.  I've tested the DH Labs and it's quite a good cable for the money.  I actually really liked the D-750, but ultimately there are better cables (but obviously much more expensive).

The more expensive Nordost cables, such as Heimdall 2, are absolutely awsome, but your paying $800 for a 2M COAX.

The other cable that may be really good is Black Cat Cable, but I have never tested them.

I would not necessarily choose the Wire World digital cables because they are based on DLNA Helix design which uses multiple individual conductors for the cable.  Their Platinum COAX is advertised as 22awg, but uses 4 conductors that are essentially 28awg each.

Smaller conductors just don't have enough "oomph" for bass/midbass power, even if there are multiple conductors.  The Pangea and DH Labs are 18awg solid-core.  The Nordost Heimdall 2 is 20 awg solid-core.  I don't think I would go smaller than this and I would always choose solid-core designs.

I have tested 24awg solid-core digital COAX cables and they are okay, but just don't have the openness and "oomph" for bass/midbass.