Upsamplers, DACs, jitter, shakes and analogue withdrawals, this is it.
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Digital coax cable
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Posted on July 15, 2024 at 15:39:50 | ||
Posts: 8142
Location: So. California Joined: January 24, 2001 |
In a month or so I am going to try an external DAC in my system. Probably the Geshelli J2S or the SMSL D300. Now comes the Great Digital Coax Cable Hunt. I assume that a digital cable is as critical as interconnects to the sound of a system. But when I started looking at digital cables, my head started swimming. So many cables, so little time. Given the modest price of the DACs listed above, spending hundreds on a digital cable seems a bit foolish. Pangea has several reasonably priced cables, but the Audioquest Cinnamon was cited by someone as even better. (Yes, personal opinion but almost everything in this crazy hobby is.) Also, does length matter? I read than a digital cable should be at least 1.5 meters. But the DAC will be right behind the CD player/transport, only about 6 inches away. 1+ meters is a lot of extra cable to have to deal with between two components. I'd love to find a used cable to sidestep break-in. All thoughts are welcome because I hardly know where to start. Thanks, gang.
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There is something to , posted on July 15, 2024 at 16:49:05 | |
Posts: 38789
Joined: May 12, 2000 Contributor Since: April 5, 2002 |
the need for at least five feet to prevent signal reflections as explained by Steve Nugent of Empirical Audio. Digital cable composition does make a difference but you don't have to go nuts. I tried an entry level Blue Jeans cable that works fine but sure was BRIGHT! prior to breakin with its teflon dielectric. I'm presently using a DH Labs cable terminated with BNC at one end. PM me and I'll be happy to send you the BJC as I really have no need for it anymore. It should provide a good start. Click here for more info on it. |
Instead of an external DAC and Coax Cable, why not buy a digital player..., posted on July 16, 2024 at 00:07:34 | |
Posts: 23968
Location: Central Kentucky Joined: December 20, 2000 Contributor Since: January 29, 2004 |
With a digital player, you don't need a digital coax cable. You can simply plug your external USB hard drive directly into the digital player and then use analog cables from the player's output to your preamp or your power amplifier. I use a FiiO R9, which has eight DACs running in parallel on each channel. It has both balanced and unbalanced analog outputs. I'm using balanced XLR cables from my R9's outputs to my preamp's balanced inputs. The R9 sounds as good or better than any other DAC or DAP that I've ever heard, yet it costs only $1,500 from Amazon. It's probably the most economical high-end DAP/DAC available anywhere. If you want the very best sound quality, listen to DSD256. That's my favorite digital format and I have just over 400 albums in DSD256. The FiiO R9 will play all two-channel digital formats up through DSD512 directly from an external USB hard drive. I don't know how much you intend to spend on an external DAC and coax cable, but the FiiO R9 is my choice for the best sounding and most versatile high-end digital component available anywhere. Check out its description on the FiiO website. |
Please email me through AA, posted on July 16, 2024 at 08:01:10 | |
Posts: 7985
Location: Peoples' Democratic Republic of R.I. Joined: April 23, 2000 |
Hi. YES, length matters! john |
That is exactly what you do, posted on July 16, 2024 at 11:53:51 | |
Posts: 38789
Joined: May 12, 2000 Contributor Since: April 5, 2002 |
each time he expresses his opinion. Time to let go. |
RE: Instead of an external DAC and Coax Cable, why not buy a digital player..., posted on July 23, 2024 at 05:44:08 | |
Posts: 23968
Location: Central Kentucky Joined: December 20, 2000 Contributor Since: January 29, 2004 |
> I've been using a Fiio DAP as a digital playback device since you suggested it in 2020. Check out the new FiiO R9. This player/DAC/preamp is absolutely phenomenal, and it's available from Amazon for only $1,500. > Which website do you go to to find albums in DSD256? There are a variety of websites that sell DSD256 albums. Here are a few of them: PS Audio's Octave Records Native DSD Audiophile Style I'm sure there are others. Just do a search for DSD256 Downloads. Happy listening! PS. Here's a good album to begin with: DSD256 Sampler for $18.49 |
RE: note to E-Stat, posted on July 28, 2024 at 11:54:32 | |
Posts: 14381
Location: East Coast Joined: October 4, 2001 |
PM me = Personal Message me. |
OMG!, posted on July 30, 2024 at 12:49:29 | |
Posts: 10183
Location: Greenville SC Joined: February 25, 2007 |
You are so right! LOL Sorry, Story, I couldn't help myself. [insert annoying smiley face here] |
Have fun! (nt), posted on July 31, 2024 at 18:04:58 | |
Posts: 10183
Location: Greenville SC Joined: February 25, 2007 |
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