AES/EBU XLR Cable?

[Binaural Fusion]

My new soundcard is almost here and I realized I don't have the right cable to connect it to my DAC yet. I would like to get a Bluejeans cable but I don't know which XLR cable would be better for the RME 9632 > Stello DA 220 mk 2 path? Is capacitance something I should worry about with that kind of connector? I'm sure they both will work, but for the small price disparity- will one be better?

Oh and if anyone has alternative suggestions I'd be happy to hear them.

 

[sejarzo]

You absolutely need an XLR-terminated cable that has been designed and constructed for AES/EBU transfer, because (1) the raw cable should have lower capacitance than is typical for balanced audio signals, and (2) there are special XLR connectors with extra internal pieces designed to properly maintain the shielding. For instance, the Neutrik XX-EMC and XCC series connectors are specifically designed for AES/EBU cables.

 

[sejarzo]

And I just checked the BJC site, and they don't offer an AES/EBU cable.....they only offer balanced audio cabling for audio frequency use.

 

[Binaural Fusion]

Hmm... thanks for the heads-up. When I posed the same question to BJC they told me the Belden 1800f was better for digital applications, but gave me no explanation.
I had already ordered a cable from BJC, this is problematic.

Edit: I did a little more digging and this is what the spec sheet for the 1800f looks like:

Technical Specs and Data for Belden 1800F Cable

It seems to be designed for digital usages, but what was it you were saying about the plugs?

 

[sejarzo]

It might be a "belt and suspenders" issue, but Neutrik does make specific plugs that are designed to provide extra shielding against RF interference........take a look at this description of the XCC plugs from the Neutrik site:

"The XCC XLR cable connector Series with circumferential shield contact provides excellent RF-protection to transmit digital audio signals most efficient and reliable. This XLR features a coaxial ground spring and a coaxial hex crimp ferrule at the cable entrance for proper and reliable transition of the shield to the shell."

There is a pdf of the assembly instructions here:

http://www.neutrik.com/Secure30/getM...pplication/pdf

Neutrik plugs for regular balanced audio don't use any sort of crimped ferrule over the end of the cable as is shown in that pdf.....the shield is unbraided/untwisted and then soldered to either pin 1 of the XLR (signal ground) or a tab that connects it to the metal body of the connector (chassis ground.) That means that inside the connector, the twisted pair remains "unshielded" for a few millimeters.

On the other hand, that XX-EMC version of the plug uses a ferrule on the end of the cable over the shield that capacitively couples the shield to the connector body, plus connects the shield to pin 1 with a ferrite bead:

http://www.neutrik.com/client/neutri...1768696394.jpg

I don't have any gear with AES/EBU connections myself, but I do have a pro CD deck sitting here that I bought to donate to a school--and so I was reading up on pro audio cabling and found that these XLR designs specific to AES/EBU were available......and I presumed that they were worthwhile, I guess! OTOH, it could be that these are only needed in studio or live performance environments where there is much more RFI/EMI potential.

 

[Elephas]

I use a DH Labs Silver Sonic AES/EBU cable made by Moon Audio with an RME 9632 > Esoteric D-05. It works very well.

If you get the chance, try the 9632 with the word clock module and an external master clock generator. It made a significant difference in my system.