My components sound best with very neutral high quality interconnects and AES sound better than SP/DIF in my system (shown under my ID). I prefer Transparent. I would have a look through used cables … typically selling for 50% list.
Suggestions for a digital cable.
My only experience with digital cables are the ones I own, which I like and most likely will stick with. I have the Illuminations D60 from streamer to DDC and the Orchid XLR from CD transport to DDC. I am in the process of evaluating adding a Mini DSP SHD Studio to the system which will go between the Digital sources and the DDC/DAC combo. I have the choice of SPDIF or AESEBU. I am leaning toward another D 60 here. (Far less money than another ORCHID) and willing to look at used connectors for $400 or less. Anything I should look into that would equal to or better than the D 60 for the price? I have a lot of History the the two I have. Thank you! If this matters as well my analogue cabling is Wireworld Eclipse 8 through out and Silversmith Fidelous speaker cabling.
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Chris Sommovigo (RIP) designed your D60, and later when he started Stereovox he designed the XV2 that I bought. It is a very good and highly detailed digital cable, but I actually prefer my Apogee Wyde Eye cable as it preserves the detail but adds a more natural overall sound with better tonality. It’s only $60 for a 1.5m SPDIF cable (if you decide to go that way), and for that little $ I’d highly recommend you give it a try and see what you think, and if you like it keep it until something more pricey knocks it out. The link below is for purchasing through Amazon so if it doesn’t work for you just return it, so it’s like a risk-free trial. I’ve recommended this to several other members and it has worked out well (John Atkinson from Stereophile used it in his own reference system if that means anything). If you decide to give it a try I’ll caution you up front to pay attention to the directional arrows because they’re no joke, but they’re very faintly printed on the cable jacked and somewhat hard to see — I inadvertently installed mine backwards once and my system literally sounded broken until I found my error. You might even try it in place of your D60 and see what happens. Hey, nothing to lose, right? Anyway, just my $0.02 FWIW, and best of luck. |
@soix Any reason for the 1.5 Meter vs shorter ones? And thank you for the suggestion, I'm aware of this cable but was skeptical vs the D60. It's been around for many years. |
Yes, it’s a pro cable that has been around for a long time and maybe for good reason? 1.5m is generally accepted to be the best length for a digital cable I think to better avoid reflections from affecting the sound, but I’m sure someone here could give you a better and more in-depth scientific explanation. The nice thing about the Apogee is that the extra 6” only costs another 5 bucks as opposed to pricier cables. Give it a shot! I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. |
yes i agree that chris s's cables in its various incarnations are always on the clear/bright/thin side... if your system benefits from that tonality then they are great otherwise, there are other cables, by wireworld, apogee, and others that have a more balanced top to bottom sound r-i-p chris sommovigo... |
I’ve had the Apogee Wyde Eye for a looooong time so I’m thinking it’s time finally upgrade as the rest of my system has improved around it. My interconnects and speaker cables are Acoustic Zen, which I really like for their natural, coherent sound, organic tonality, and excellent 3D imaging/soundstage so a logical place to start looking for me is AZ. It looks like the MC2 gets really good reviews and seems to exhibit the same characteristics as their analog cables. I was thinking if you like your Wireworld interconnects why not start looking there for a digital cable? |
@soix Yes 1.5m is minimum to avoid reflections. It is assumed that cable is not perfectly impedance matched, causing reflection of the signal on impedance boundary. The dangerous one is the first reflection from the end of the cable. If cable is long enough for reflection to come back late (to miss edge that originated it), then reflection won't distort (add to) this transition. Distorted transition, often staircase like, affects time moment of level recognition (threshold) leading to time jitter, that after D/A conversion translates basically to added noise (reduced clarity). |
@soix I will, my pre-amp is currently at VAC and the upgrade was completed this week. It's in the testing stage and then will ship. I need to get it back, buy the Mini DSP SHD Studio and get it hooked up. May be a bit, but I will come back here to review them. I don't really have a reference point though with the addition of another piece in the puzzle. I expect it will be a quality cable nonetheless. |
