I’m looking for an Digital XLR cable


Hi all,

I'm getting a Pontus ll DAC and I'll be needing a digital XLR cable to run from my transport to the Pontus ll.  Almost every cable I currently have is Audioquest, but I would be interested in what others are using and why.  

Thanks for your input. 

JD

 

curiousjim

Showing 2 responses by auxinput

I have done a whole lot of R&D and testing for creating my own ASE/EBU XLR digital cable.  One thing to note here is that a cable composition that works great for analog audio does NOT translate over to good performance of digital.  The XLR connector plays a MAJOR role in the end result.  I went through a bunch of different connectors (Neutrik, Furutech, Neotech, rhodium plated, gold plated).  The absolute best connector I found that was highest resolution and most neutral for digital XLR is the Oyaide Focus.  I'm not sure what the Sablon custom XLR connector is made from and I, obviously, have not tested with it.

If I were to "buy" a retail cable, I would probably be looking at the Black Cat solutions.  The Sablon may be excellent as well.  Generally, solid silver works better in digital cables and a larger awg is also better.  Obviously, solid-core conductors are superior over stranded conductors.

I cannot comment on Clarus products because I have never used them.  I will say that many cable manufacturers will create a "standard" way of making their cables and then do this for all types of cables (analog interconnect, speaker, power cord, digital, etc.).  Sometimes they also use the same conductor geometry (for example, some companies have absolutely no difference between their Analog XLR interconnect and their ASE/EBU cable).

If you look at Clarus, ALL their cables use gold-plated connectors, regardless of cable model or cable type.  This is an easy solution because gold-plated generally sounds good in all scenarios.  However, it is definitely not the best if you want the most resolution out of your system. 

I have found that heavy rhodium plated connectors (Furutech) are best for analog type cables (interconnect, speaker, power cord).  However, rhodium plated just does not work well for digital cables.  It overlays the sound with a cold sonic signature (definitely a coloration) and does not give you the most high frequency resolution.

Silver plated and pure silver connectors are best for digital, i.e. the Oyaide Focus XLR.  Personally, I would start investigating companies such as Black Cat Cable.  If you look at all their cables you will see that they use different connectors depending on what kind of cable it is.  Nordost is another good company to research for digital cables.