DIGITAL CABLES MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

[mosrite]

Hi,

Could someone please clear this one up for me. I know that the quality of a digital cable (spdif coax) can make a difference to the sound when going to a DAC but can the quality of a cable affect the quality of recording when going from an A/D convertor 'spdif' out to the 'spdif in' on the DAW?

It makes sense to me that sending the out from the DAW to an external DAC can be affected by the cable as we're talking jitter being suppressed with a better cable but if I am clocking via spdif for my A/D conversion then surely jitter is only dictated by the quality of my clock and the cable should be irrelevent?

Thoughts?

Mosrite...

[avare]

I know that the quality of a digital cable (spdif coax) can make a difference to the sound when going to a DAC

??? Your asking about consumer connects on the highend forum? Do you follow design parameters (eg max length)?

Andre

[SiliconAudioLab]

Monster Cable will GUARANTEE you will get laid if you use THEIR cables.

Further, depending on WHICH type of Monster Cable you use will effect how often you get laid.

[jdunn]

I use Nordost Moonglow on my mix converter. And for monitoring if needed. Their Silver Shadow is even more expensive. I may try that next time I buy cable.

Nordost Moonglo 2 link

I've also heard that the Cardas Neutral Reference is very good.

[mosrite]

I fail to see how SPDIF is a consumer only format. I can think of a number of devices that use this transfer. But maybe you dont consider Apogee, Amek or any of a number of other quality components high end enough. Does anyone have an answer to this question?

Cheers

[SoZo]

Originally Posted by mosrite

I fail to see how SPDIF is a consumer only format. I can think of a number of devices that use this transfer. But maybe you dont consider Apogee, Amek or any of a number of other quality components high end enough. Does anyone have an answer to this question?

Cheers

apogee is as good as it gets on an sane pricerange. i like what was callled the illumanmi back in the day. all silver. apogee was almost as good.

[Brad Blackwood]

If you use the proper cable (the impedance is the key issue) there will be no difference in the signal sonically. What many people have forgotten (or never learned in the first place) is that the 'clock' in digital transmissions is measured at the zero crossing, so even a sine wave would work fine if the receiver chip was good enough...

[Jim Williams]

I find the Kimber S/PDIF silver cables to reveal low level details better than others I've tried. At $300, it should.

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

[daaronhoffman]

I know it's off topic but,

Is it O.K. to use Apogee AES cables as mic cable?
I've got some extra ones lying around and need some good mic cables going to the pres.

Bad idea?

Aaron

[Max]

Originally Posted by daaronhoffman

I know it's off topic but,

Is it O.K. to use Apogee AES cables as mic cable?
I've got some extra ones lying around and need some good mic cables going to the pres.

Bad idea?

Aaron

The WE-XX Wyde-Eye cable makes a great mic cable, as the specs are much better than your typical analog XLR cable. That is why the packaging list the cable as Digital/Analog cable.

[daaronhoffman]

Great!
Thanks Max!

Aaron

[gabler]

Originally Posted by Jim Williams

I find the Kimber S/PDIF silver cables to reveal low level details better than others I've tried. At $300, it should.

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

I am using CBI (Belden cables) AES digital cables. Do you guys recommend spending the money on higher end then that? I wouldnt think there would be much difference. What do you guys think?

[jdunn]

With AES/EBU, you want to look for a low capacitance value. Belden is good enough, unless you have money to burn and want to dabble in the audiophile world.

I'm pretty sure I can hear subtle differences between some digital cables, but I've never participated in a rigorous test or anything.