I Need an XLR Digital Cable.


Q1. Has any one started with a $20-30 one then later tried $100 cables and see a (big) jump in performance? I’d like to hear from those whom actually did the A/B tests. 

Q2. Should I start with the under dog, no name brands, hyped or should I start with big name brands’ entry levels? 

I’m using 1 analog XLR cable as a digital cable from MIT MI-330 to play/ verify the benificial of having a DAC .... and it sure is. 
(Ayre cx-7 CD player only provides 1 XLR as digital output source. )
128x128nasaman
Thank you @akg_ca   
I could and I should but at the same time I’d like to experiment from those entry level ones first..... or should I just cut the chase and buy a high dollar ones? I’m torn
Yes you definitely should hear a difference in AES/EBU cables. In my (admittedly expensive) system the difference from moving from generic to AQ Eagle Eye, then Wild, then Marigo and Transparent Ref XL was very clear. Different cables will bring different attributes, for example in my system the Marigo is more clear and detailed, more "studio sound" while the Ref XL has warmth and naturalness, the latter suits CDs so I use it for those while I have Marigo when playing SACD.

A good recent discussion of this topic and recommendations at your price point is here (while the thread is about RCA/75ohm the same manufacturers make great 110ohm cables as well)
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/looking-for-a-giant-killer-digital-cable/post?postid=1556090#...
IMHO, I would buy an entry-level first, something made from Mogami or Canare 110 ohm cable. This will get you going with a decent proper connection for cheap. That also gives you a reference should you try something with a return privilege.
Thank you @tls49
I just won eBay some entry level ones (junks?) to test out then will move on up from there.
. Sommer Cable Binary 234 from Germany, $32. (Not so popular here in US so hoping it’s a bang-for-buck.
. Canare DA206, 110ohm, $25.
. Mogami w3080,110 ohm, blue, $20
If I find these entry level digital cables perform worse than my loaner analog XLR MIT Mi-330, I don’t know what to say...

Next on radar:
. Wireworld Starlight 7, $100
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Now, I agree with Kosst_amojan and ev1 else in here. I’d like to reaffirm that while subtitute ANALOG cables for DIGITAL is do-able, the result was horrible. I’m the OP and would like to update.
While waiting on my xlr DIGITAL 110 ohm aes/ebu cables that I won from eBay to arrive, I next-day a $6 xlr to rca adapter from Amazon so I could, meanwhile, re-use my good & decent entry level DIGITAL 75 ohm S/PDIF rca cables that I already have and the result was astounding. They put my ANALOG xlr MIT Mi-330 to a shame. The music from my DAC was just now so beautiful and enjoyable and I could listen for hours. (it’s already 5am and I still could not get up. Go figure! ) Thank you ev1
Here ya go.  I prefer this to my more expensive and well-regarded Stereovox digital cable, and I think John Atkinson used it as his reference for a while too.  40 bucks for 1m with free shipping. 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N6XL1XW/ref=twister_B01MUH69P1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

So I too bought the Wireworld Starlight 7 aes/ebu for $87 from eBay and it actually arrived today before Canare, Mogami and Sommer.
I’ve been on it prob 10 hours now and loving it. 
Though increment is (very) minimal but I really LOVE it especially the highs. If I have 1 word to describe it? it’ll be PRAT.
Excellent dollar/ performance ratio. 
- Update and short reviews -
So all cables I bought from eBay have come in and below is what I’d rate/ rank them in my system. They are all EAS/ABU digital XLR and 1meter-ish long.

5th place is my analog XLR MIT Trminator Mi-330. I didn’t think that digital cable can make that much diff so i freshly start off with what I already have in my closet and the result was, hmm, ok! The analog cable that I have has a very good shielding itself so It sounds acceptable, I guess. I did enjoy it for a short while, but I didn’t know better. —— I rate it at 3/10.

4th place is the Mogami 3080, blue color, $20. Made in Japan. Rainwater Company hand made them here in US; nice and shinny solder joints. The rubbery body does feel nice to the hand. Yet the conductors are fairly small, no greater than 26-awg? This cable is good and I do see why ppl like and recommend them, but when I compared with others, it quickly shows its limitations. It’s a decent cable though so I do recommend for Hi-Fi folks but, as for me, I will not put it back in my main or 2nd system.— I rate it at 4/10

3rd place is the Canare D206, $20. Very nice, thick and sturdy built and also in blue color. The conductors are est at 22-awg?This is a digital cable that I dearly recommend as best bang for buck. It’s crisp clean dynamic and (some what) accurate. Its high does extend and didn’t crumple up like the Mogami did. Its bass is slightly fuller than Mogami and its midrange is nearly identical. Excellent cable for$20— I rate it 5/10

2nd place is the Wireworld Starlight 7, $87. This cable is in red color and has very unique internal structural design. Company pattened. Conductors are flat and tiny, 26-awg. Soldering job is just everage. Flux needs to be cleaned off. As for performance, I love how this cable delivered. Its character is very similar to the Canare D206 but slightly better and it has something that both Mogami and Canare didn’t, dark/ black back ground and “high end”sound. Bass and midrange just aren’t fuller but more round. Its high is also my fav- nicely extended with tad of sweetness. It’s revealing with nice tone. Excellent performer. I could listen hours and hours with this digital cable and I sure did.
—I rate it 6/10.

1st place is the Transparent Premium Digital Link, $200. This is the only cable that has gray tech-flex snake skin. It’s has nothing to do with sound character but it’s worth to mention. While the positive conductor is thick, 20-awg? The negative on pin 3 is fairly thin, 24-awg? Solder joints isnt excellent with excessive of flux residue. Not sure how shielding is laying out but it’s full of copper- nice. This digital cable is warm but yet its high is nicely extended. Smooth and musical are its straits. Out of all, this is the only cable that has the most magical & high end sound. This one cable let me hear the music for hours. Sadly, I could not find cheap for great sound but had to go to hundreds $$$ Used high end audio market is so well priced. I, again, failed to find best sound for cheap.
As for now, I think my search for an entry level digital AES/ABU cable ends here — I rate it 7/10.
Thank you everyone for suggesting and sharing.
(Listen: Jacques Loussier, The Very Best of Play Bach)



Excellent job @nasaman. Very thorough and helpful. Good news is having landed on the Transparent you can move up the line if/when the opportunity presents as the other cables from this manufacturer share the same house sound - a blend of clarity, pace and warmth that is very addictive 
I have A/B tested cables in all price ranges (up to $10K).

Just based on the equipment information, regarding transport, I would suggest taking a serious look at Wireworld (good bang for buck ratio). They are in a way, my competition. I highly recommend being careful where you cables due to the number of counterfeit cables I have seen over the years.