2. digital
  3. 1389497973

Length of digital cable?

Picking up where I left off a year ago, somewhere on the net I ran into a recommended length of 18 ft of digital cable between transport and D/A converter. Various lengths were discussed and one source was very confident of the 18 ft length to successfully resolve jitter. And the Beldon 1694A was recommended. For $30+ or whatever I gave it a shot and was surprised by the quality of sound, and I swear on a stack of owners' manuals that this length with this brand of cable resolves jitter. The sound is rock solid gorgeous.

The Beldon lies behind the system mostly in a coil, and I think coils are probably not ideal. I'm wondering if anyone has found a shorter length that works. Al suggested 8", but I was unable to make it work because the components aren't close enough. I know that 1 ft" doesn't work and that 1 meter doesn't work.

Part 2: Does length of ethernet from computer to avr also affect jitter? My sister who is a computer person and not an audio person set up my avr with computer using cat 5. The sound quality is bad. I'd like to get good sound quality with computer as source down the road but need advice on how to get it.
arnettpartners

Showing 7 responses by arnettpartners

arnettpartners OP
312 posts
 
Ps, you use 40cm of what cable?
arnettpartners OP
312 posts
 
Hi Steve, You were around last year when Al and you and others were pounding into my head what a digital signal is. I thought I could do better than the Beldon but thought I had to be on the right track because suddenly the signal sounds right. Will check out your cable although haven't found it on your website yet. I also noted your suggestions for using computer as source that are listed on your website. Lynne
arnettpartners OP
312 posts
 
Hi Al,

I need to order a second cable for a second system, so I will try a 1.5m length. With this 18 ft Beldon, I'm getting a smooth high end like analogue. I can live without stonishing detail if I have to but not the "digital-sounding" high end.

Further, I will work on RFI with tweeks--noise caps etc. Al, I have the strangest phenomenon. My hk990 was upstairs. When I would change sources, the middle LED's on the read-out would go out. When I powered off and on again, the lights were on again. I tried a different circuit but the issue was the same. My contact at hk said he thought it was really strange and had never heard of it but sent me a new amp. De javu all over again. I recently moved that system to the basement. Issue is gone.I haven't tried computer source in the basement yet. Might be improved.

I exagerate a little in regard to the sound quality of the computer source. It's not horrible. My sister doesn't notice the difference. A friend who is somewhat an audiophile does. But I take note of your comments.

Thanks.

Best,

Lynne
arnettpartners OP
312 posts
 
OK, Al. I'll try it. Thanks. Best, Lynne
arnettpartners OP
312 posts
 
I was using separate circuits for digital and analogue. That is, transport was on separate circuit but was using the amp's onboard D/A converter. I do have all components on the same circuit in the basement.

I would like to try your cable. Will get in touch.

Thanks.

Lynne
arnettpartners OP
312 posts
 
ok. This site is screwing up. It won't let me respond.
arnettpartners OP
312 posts
 
Update: I bought the 4-ft digital cable with RCA adaptors from Empirical Audio that Steve recommended. Break-in is typical with a rough patch after about 24 hrs. It emerges hrs later with a very broad soundstage and becomes light and airy, sounding more like live music. It's probably 75% broken in now, and the highs are quite controlled; guitars sound steely; sound in general sounds cleansed--really not what I expected. Transients are delightful.

I don't have another high end cable with which to compare; it costs less than the Cardas Lightning 15 and the better Audioquest. No question that it is extremely cost effective in the SQ it produces and strikingly illustrates that cable should be treated equally with other components.
Steve has recommended other products that will get me world class sound, but I probably can't handle world class sound at the moment. I'm too overwhelmed by the SQ I have now.

Thanks to Al and Steve for catching me up. Audiogon is a valuable source thanks to these gentlemen and many more members.
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