Not familiar with Tyr 2 spdif but I haven’t heard a better XLR set than the Tyr 2. The overall balanced is just right and the details and transparency is unbeatable. All this while sounding crystal clear and natural. So I’m not surprised you couldn’t beat the Tyr 2 spdif.
Please recommend a coax SPDIF cable similar to the Nordost Tyr 2
Hi,
I was hoping someone could recommend a 75 ohm Coaxial digital cable for me. Currently using a Nordost entry level purple flare? coax cable. My system is a PS Audio PST transport to a DIY PCM1702 based DAC. Only has a coax input. I wont be able to afford a new DAC (PS Audio Direct stream II or Holo May) to
go I2S/HDMI anytime soon. I'm pretty happy with the digital front end as the PST transformed it. I've probably have 2000 CD's and stopped playing them for awhile when I got my SOTA COSMOS. I also probably 2000 or so lp's and only 60 or so SACD's (that I can play on my Oppo 205 if wanted)...so a new DAC or SACD's are
pretty low on the priority list. Honestly my jaw drops every time I play a lp (Sota Cosmos>>Graham 2.2>> Micro Benz Ruby Z>>Nordost Tyr phono cable>>Pass Labs XONO)
I don't think that I've ever had this issue at all before but my system may tend toward the bright side of life.... but never ever bothered me playing lps or cds.
The rest of my system is a DIY Nelson Pass "Bride of Zen" preamp, Pass Labs Amp, Dynaudio Special 25 speakers. Interconnects and speaker cables are all Analysis Plus Silver Apex. I'm currently listening(trying to figure out if I want the Tyr) to nothing but cd's as I replaced the cheap coax with a Nordost Tyr 2 coax cable between my DAC and PST transport. I love the combo now on alot of cd's as the top end is really great but I find it slightly harsh or too analytical on some cds. Others its just beautiful.
I was hoping that someone could recommend a similar coax cable to the Tyr 2 that would be gorgeous on the top end, detail, and sound stage but would be less grating (on some recordings) for the lack of a better word.
Thanks
Tom
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I believe that I'm going with the Nordost Tyr2 cable. I just like it too much. Love the detail of bass/mid/top end, the timbre of the piano...and the lowest noise floor which enhances the sound stage, separation of voices/instruments. I don't know how to put this all into words but I love my digital front end (only redbook cd) with this Tyr 2 SPDIF cable.
Boomslang: I didn't give this cable much of a chance as I was warned that this is not a true 75 ohm cable and may present problems with certain hardware. Sure enough after a cd or two, the cd skipped or hiccuped and this has never ever happened on the cd's I was playing Cardas Clear I liked this cable as it was built solid and very musical. Seemed to have detail more than the others toward the Tyr 2, Better than the Audience in every way. Mandolin on Cowboy Junkies Misguided Angel was natural and beautiful. Audience 24x The Audience was smooth to the ears but seemed much less detailed. Bass is full but much less detailed. Cymbals didn't sound right or muted or something. Just seemed alot less presence. Sound stage cues seemed to be much less defined than the Tyr 2. On David Bowie's Low, the Tyr made the synthesizers seem real compared to the Audience. Audience was less forward than the Tyr Audioquest Diamond I liked this cable as it seemed the sound stage had bloom. Frequency response was full as it seemed to have a good bottom end but it just wasn't detailed like the Tyr 2. On Elton John's Tumbleweed Connection "Love Song" there was bloom around the "beach" ambiance(I have to listen more but here the Tyr 2 seemed to have less "beach" ambiance) but the snap of the tap in the right speaker just wasn't as detailed or precise as the Tyr 2. Maybe the Tyr 2 is more "dry" but I like this detailed presentation in the Tyr 2. Mandolin on Cowboy Junkies Misguided Angel was fleshed out and nice.
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Thanks for all the advice and recommendations!! Please provide more : ) Ive spent most every night listening to all sorts of cd’s for a few hours. All in all I really love the Tyr 2. Its not fatiguing at all and had a beautiful top end and soundstage so it may be the one I buy. I had concerns with what I would call harshness but its probably only certain cd’s that reveal the mastering. I'm also probably not used the gobs of detail. I did audition this Tyr 2 from the Cable Company and I have four more cables coming this week so it will get interesting. |
Whichever brand you choose stick with copper and avoid silver or silver coated.This will go a long way towards relieving the harshness. My personal preference for whatever it's worth is I like solid silver on the source, then some copper and some silver between other components as you move down the line. WireWorld, Acoustic Zen,Analysis Plus (copper) are all good choices for you. |
I second the Acoustic Zen cables, I am using the Absolute 75 SPDIF Digital Cable with good results. Unsolicited opinion, I recently tried some of the Analysis Plus interconnects and found them to be on the thin sounding side, throw some silver on there and they might get bright too. I switched to WireWorld Eclipse 8, and was rewarded with a much richer sound. |
I'm using a pure silver Xangsane coax cable and it has pushed the performance of my DAC to another level. Xangsane is a chinese company but they make genuine stuff with quality engineering and materials at very affordable prices. It's cheap, you might want to try it before spending a shitload of money.
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… gorgeous on the top end, detail, and sound stage but would be less grating (on some recordings) for the lack of a better word. At the point of the Nordost Try 2 I recommend WyWires Diamond or Platinum at the price point below. Both will have the SQ you seek and more while maintaining or improving the imaging and staging you are accustomed to. Beautiful cables with durable construction. I use the Platinum series due to budgetary concerns, but the Diamond is a significant step up. Call the proprietor, Alex. He is very personable. Read the pro reviews. In my system I can attest the reviews accurately describe the SQ. Of course audition before making a decision. www.wywires.com 16501 Sherman Way, Suite 120 |
I got an Acoustic Zen MC2 and from what I hear it would seem to offer the sound characteristics you’re looking for. It’s a ton cheaper than the Tyr 2 but I wouldn’t let that deter you from trying it — read the consistently glowing reviews as they’re all fully justified IMHO. There’s a used one here at a nice discount and would be low risk to try, but the connectors in the picture don’t look stock to me so I’d ask about that before buying. Knew it’s still “only” $520 for a 1m RCA cable so The Cable Company might be worth a try if buying new. Best of luck in your search. https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisb954e-acoustic-zen-mc-squared-digital BTW, if you wanna spend more I’ve read good things about Jena Labs cables so they might be worth a look as well. |