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Optimal length for digital cables: 1m or 1.5m?

I am debating the purchase of a 1m (RCA connector) NordOst Valhalla and the 1.5m version between the DAC and the preamp. Whilst it may be safer to acquire the longer version, the price difference alone can probably be better used for other improvements.

Some suggested 1.5m is the optimal length so I hope for those elaborating on their findings and if someone had the chance to A/B 1m vs 1.5m of the same digital cable (it doesn't have to be NordOst Valhalla) that would be utmost helpful.

(Sorry if this question has been posted before but I couldnt find entries with a direct comparison between 1m and 1.5m of a digital cable.)
polyglot

Showing 1 response by elberoth2

elberoth2's avatar
elberoth2
1,223 posts
 
There in NO one ideal cable lenght. The 'ideal' lenght will depend on the following parameters:

- cable design (with the speed at which the signal travels through the cable beeing the determining factor)
- sampling ratę of the signal beeing sent (there will bedifferent 'ideal' cable lenght for 44.1 and 192kHz files)
- rise time of the digital signal (your transport)

As you can see, even a cable designer have no control over point 2 and 3.
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