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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. )
nasaman

Showing 2 responses by folkfreak

folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak
1,349 posts
 
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#...
folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak
1,349 posts
 
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 
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