Digital XLR vs. Analog XLR - Balanced Cables


What is the difference between a digital XLR/balanced cable and an analog XLR/balanced cable?

What if I used an analog XLR/Balanced cable to carry a digital signal from the digital output of one device to the digital input of another device?

Any risks/damage, etc. . .
ckoffend

Showing 1 response by almarg

01-17-12: Renato13
Ok...So in a pistachio shell, say you have the option to use either an AES/EBU digital 110 ohm cable OUT from a USB to SPDIF converter to a WYRED4SOUND DAC2 AES/EBU input OR a 75 ohm digital SPDIF interconnect from same USB to SPDIF converter into same W4S Dac2. I keep hearing two tales: 1) that there's no difference since both are digital and 2) that there is a difference, claiming the EAE/EBU connection is superior. Any opinion or truth is truly appreciated.
There will often be a difference. If there is a difference, it can be expected that more often than not the AES/EBU connection will be superior, but in many cases the opposite will be true. The technical issues that are involved are system dependent, as Kijanki indicated, and largely unpredictable. See my post here and my two posts here.

Regards,
-- Al