Which type of cable sounds best for Streamer to DAC: AES/EBU or DIGITAL COAX or USB ??


Hi,
What is the best sounding cable to use when linking a network streamer to a dac? 
AES/EBU or DIGITAL COAX or USB ???

 thanks 

mike
128x128mikepaul
@teo_audio  https://forum.audiogon.com/users/teo_audio@tatyana69  https://forum.audiogon.com/users/tatyana69

In home HiFi (short length) analog XLR may be used to preserve the higher output voltage of a true-balanced source/premaplifier connected to a device that can really take advantage of it. The (slight?) signal smearing of the dual conductor would be surpassed by the increased dynamics and presence.

BUT in home HiFi (short length) digital audio trasmission the dual conductor AES/EBU cable may be source of jitter problems, only.
There may be no reason for this cable to sound better :http://www.harmonictech.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/MDSlll.jpg
than this cable based on identical materials :http://www.harmonictech.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/DSlll.jpg
Am i missing anything?
Thanks!Gianluca
AES works best for me between a number of streamers and my Bel Canto DAC’s. I would say it all depends on the implementation on the DAC end so try them all and see what you like best. It will probably be between USB and AES based on my experience. Cable choice does matter even with USB so this can have an influence on your choice as well. 

I tried both USB and AES between my Lumin Digital Transport and my Holo Audio Sprong DAC 3 KTE, and I preferred the AES to USB.  It just sounded warmer and and smoother to my ears. 

I have not tried the I2S connection because of all the confusion over the pin set up required.. its a mess.  Its too bad, because I understand the Holo Audio did a good job with it...

Another vote for AES with my Lumin and DAC setup, after trying USB and Digital Coax.

 

However, when I had a BlueSound Node130, my preference was the Digital Coax. Best approach is to try various outputs and see what works best for you.

bumping an old thread for my Lumin u2

Before, i heard that usb is least preferred because it’s noisy

 

However, in the new Lumin there is a usb to dac port. They call it a direct coupled usb out and its supposedly ultra low noise/low jitter

Reviewers have raved over it saying it bests AES

do you believe this will become the new standard in connecting streamers to dacs in the coming years?

 

Do you think this will become the new standard from connecting streamers to dacs?