SPDIF cable recommendation
Dec 7, 2009 at 6:52 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 15
Icenine2

Icenine2

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I need a SPDIF cable recommendation.

Why? My Proceed CDD transport's drawer has gone psycho and won't open and close on command. To get this fixed is big money so I'm going to use my Proceed DAP and hook it up to the computer SPDIF to it then to my HeadRoom Home. Thx.

Keith
 
Dec 7, 2009 at 8:41 PM Post #2 of 15
Since it's a digital signal, you can use any plastic cheapo optical cable if you need optical, or a plain colored or rat shack RCA cable if it's wired (everyone has these laying around). In fact, it doesn't even matter if it's shielded because it's carrying a digital signal, which is far greater in signal than any noise could possibly interfere with.
 
Dec 8, 2009 at 11:09 AM Post #5 of 15
The digital IC is the most important amongst the cables in your system. It makes the biggest difference that a cable is capable.
Just try some digital interconnects to make sure it's true!
smily_headphones1.gif

The differences could be fundamental for the sound of your source.
After long research and several tests ( I've tried 9 cables ) I've chosen Van den Hul's Digi Coupler - a very neutral digital interconnect at acceptable price.
 
Dec 8, 2009 at 6:04 PM Post #6 of 15
Quote:

Originally Posted by brat /img/forum/go_quote.gif
The digital IC is the most important amongst the cables in your system. It makes the biggest difference that a cable is capable.
Just try some digital interconnects to make sure it's true!
smily_headphones1.gif

The differences could be fundamental for the sound of your source.
After long research and several tests ( I've tried 9 cables ) I've chosen Van den Hul's Digi Coupler - a very neutral digital interconnect at acceptable price.


I also use the v/d hul digi-coupler and opto-coupler, the only one I have tried that has bettered them is the Siltech Golden-Ridge which I use in my main system.
 
Dec 9, 2009 at 11:27 AM Post #7 of 15
I had the Apogee Wyde-Eye for a while. It's a good cable, because it's flexible and the rca connectors are 75 ohm, which is not common practice. I didn't really compare it to anything else, but I liked that it was well made, truely 75 ohm and intended for professional use. It's not expensive either.
I realize my recommendation is solely because I used this one. I do not believe in 'high-end' cables however but do believe in well-made ones, and therefore I chose the Wyde-Eye for myself to begin with.
 
Dec 9, 2009 at 12:48 PM Post #8 of 15
75 ohm is standart for S/PDIF connection - all components of the S/PDIF chain (transport output jacks, cable, DAC input jacks) must be exactly 75 ohm. Otherwise the signal is changed. And that's why a common coaxial cable with RCA jacks could not be used as a digital.
 
Dec 10, 2009 at 3:47 PM Post #9 of 15
They should be, yes, although most rca connectors are in fact not 75 ohm but 50 or something else. That's why BNC connectors are often used for coaxial SPDIF connections, instead of rca.
 
Dec 12, 2009 at 8:33 PM Post #11 of 15
Quote:

Originally Posted by iriverdude /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Just buy a cheap coaxial RCA-RCA cable.


I find it amazing that you are so adamant that lossless is so much better than 320kbps MP3s, yet you are saying cables don't make a difference?

I know plenty more people who can pick out different cables (not all types of cables, just coaxial, power, and headphone cables) than I do that can tell the difference between 320kbps MP3 and FLAC.
 
Dec 12, 2009 at 8:38 PM Post #12 of 15
Ya, I am pretty surprised by these responses too. I can hear the difference in digital coax, I had Audioquest bottom end(aprox $40.) that i upgraded to a boutique coax and I heard quite a difference.
 
Dec 12, 2009 at 8:45 PM Post #13 of 15
Quote:

Originally Posted by Necrolic /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I find it amazing that you are so adamant that lossless is so much better than 320kbps MP3s, yet you are saying cables don't make a difference?

I know plenty more people who can pick out different cables (not all types of cables, just coaxial, power, and headphone cables) than I do that can tell the difference between 320kbps MP3 and FLAC.


Cheap as in £20-£30. Not the stock cables.
 
Dec 13, 2009 at 1:37 AM Post #14 of 15
Quote:

Originally Posted by iriverdude /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Just buy a cheap coaxial RCA-RCA cable.


And if you made it a video cable (yellow connector, typically), then it should be 75 ohms! Win!

I'm with the folks like MD1032 that can't hear differences in digital SPDIF coax cables. I designed and executed a DBT pitting a $1000 exotic SPDIF cable (paid $600 on eBay) vs a Radio Shack video cable that cost a few bucks.

Some head-fi'ers helped me make the switches blind to me (I won't identify or blame them) -- I could not tell the cables apart.

But others say they can, and I believe them -- so in fact I bought Blue Jeans Cable digital cables (and equivalents from some other manufacturers too). BJC is always a safe choice, no?
 
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