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Looking for a great XLR Digital cable

I'm currently using a Transparent Reference xlr digital cable. My DVD/CD player is an Ayre D-1x & my processor is the ML no.40. The Transparent isn't a bad cable however when listening to music I don't really like how the vocals sound ( they tend to have a hint of a digital sound to them). Last week I audition a ML 390S & although it sounded better than the Ayre with music it still had that same sound with the vocals. A friend of mine suggested that I try a couple of different cables. Is there a better XLR cablet than the Transparent. My speakers are Revel Salons & my amps are ML 436's... Thanks!
jon_p
9 responses Add your response
sos
124 posts
 
Jon we have done a lot of shootouts between digital cables and the Designer Reference Square X by Synergistic Research has been the favorite in our shootouts. We do alot of vocals being that we are heavy into Singer songwriters.

Hope this helps.
mg123
192 posts
 
Tara Labs "The One". I'm using Proceed MDT, Proceed AVP, Pass Labs Aleph4, and Revel Studios. I have all Tara Labs cables and feel that they are very neutral. Personally, I think Transparent cables mask some of the sound. Think about it: you are sending your signal through additional electronics. There is Always additonal noise and some signal loss or distortion with more electronics. Why would you do this?
myoussif
81 posts
 
Mg123, just for your info the Transparent Digital cable doesn't have any network box on it. So your statement is not entirely true in this case.

In my system between the dCS Verdi SACD transport and the Purcell, I very much preferred the Transparent over the Syn. Research Designer Reference and over the Resolution Reference X-series. I guess like you know, it will differ from one system to another and from one person to another.

Try the HMS cables, I am trying them and they sound very promising.
Good luck
mgottlieb
334 posts
 
You might try Purist Dominus XLR's, which I use for the whole system. They're not that expensive compared to other digital cables, and are especially good at not passing through any sense that the digital signal sounds different from analogue. The sound from my digital inputs now is very similar (at least in its basic nature) to the sound off the turntable.
rives
953 posts
 
Believe it or not, these too are system dependent and quite often change the character a bit. I've tried the Orchid, AQ Falcon, and Cardas. The Orchid was a little thin for my tastes. Did not seem to get the bass right. The Cardas got the bass right but sounded a little rolled off on top. The Falcon really worked well for me. It's between an ML 37 and 36. Again, different systems will certainly get different results.
soix
8,869 posts
 
I've heard good things about HMS, Acoustic Zen, and Zcable, and if I were looking for a digital cable I'd make sure to audition each of these. Also, and I'm not sure if this is appropriate or not as I'm not overly familiar with your components, but I was wondering if you might be experiencing artifacts from jitter. Unless the ML reclocks the signal you might want to try a jitter reduction device from Monarchy, etc. to see if that helps. Just a thought, and best of luck.
mg123
192 posts
 
myoussif: yes, sorry, I forgot Transparent doesn't do the electronics on their digital cable. They probably tried but lost too many bits.
jon_p OP
46 posts
 
Thanks for all of the great responses. I have the Valhalla on the way to audition as well as the Concierto Grand & possibly the Purist Audio Dominus. I'll let you guys know how they worked out. If you have more suggestions keep them coming.
peterb
108 posts
 
Try Kharma Enigma....great stuff !
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