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Upgrade for SPDIF Digital Cable

47.193.18.40
Posted on August 14, 2016 at 12:54:07
Chris K.
Audiophile

Posts: 400
Location: West Central Florida
Joined: August 15, 2001
 I'm looking to upgrade my SPDIF cable without breaking the bank. Any thoughts on budget/moderately priced contenders? Of all cables, the digital connection seems to be the more perplexing to understand. I've read or researched Audioquest Carbon and Cinnamon, Wireworld Starlight 7 or Silver Starlight 7, and Audio Sensibility Statement, among others. For this connection, what I'm seeing is that silver content/purity seems to be rather important. My current cable is an Audience Conductor that is about 15 years old and I bought it when the prevailing opinion was that "bits are bits," although from what I'm reading, there do appear to be very audible differences between different ones, but not consistent conclusions as you find in analog interconnect evaluations. My digital gear consists of a TEAC CD-1000 used as a transport with a Micromega MyDAC.

 

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Treat that Audience Conductor first, posted on August 14, 2016 at 14:15:48
Luminator
Audiophile

Posts: 7330
Location: Bay Area
Joined: December 11, 2000
 Having Cooked several Audience products, I can tell you that, before you make any moves, you absolutely must get your Audience Conductor onto a proper cable burn-in device. And while you are it, get ALL of your cables on said device.

With your cables now free of distortion and coloration, you may find that getting rid of the Musical Fidelity tube buffer will do quite a bit of good.

Then the most cost-effective move might be to utilize after-market fuses in your TEAC, Manley, and Rogue gear.

I used to have the Vans Evers Model 85, a very good unit. However, I had that, before we acquired the Cable Cooker. Thus, I am unsure, if the Vans Evers PLCs can be Cooked. But if it can, you will be in for a pleasant surprise.

-Lummy The Loch Monster

 

RE: Upgrade for SPDIF Digital Cable, posted on August 14, 2016 at 16:18:16
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 One thing I found about determining a target price point for a digital cable purchase is to consider spending as much as you might for a stereo pair of rca analog interconnects, meaning the performance level of a single digital cable should be budgeted to be at least equivalent to what one might spend for two analog interconnect cables. This is just a conceptual reference point, since budgeting for a higher-priced digital cable may provide substantially better performance from a cost-benefit POV. That said, I would need to know how much you might be willing/able to spend on a digital cable upgrade at this time in order to offer informed advice. What length digital cable does your audio system set-up require?

 

RE: Upgrade for SPDIF Digital Cable, posted on August 14, 2016 at 16:51:40
Chris K.
Audiophile

Posts: 400
Location: West Central Florida
Joined: August 15, 2001
 Duster, thanks and I agree on the price point equivalency. Having said that, circumstances definitely require that I stay in the "budget" range with a used cable being fine of $200 or less, as in the lines I mentioned.

 

RE: Upgrade for SPDIF Digital Cable, posted on August 14, 2016 at 19:19:09
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 My favorite solid core, pure silver, S/PDIF 75 ohm digital coaxial cables in that price range are the Illuminati D-60 (used price), Oyaide DR-510, and VH Audio Pulsar Ag terminated with KLE Pure Harmony or Absolute Harmony, for example.

Here's what I recommend while it's available. I recently bought gear from this AA Inmate. He's A-OK, in my book...

See link:

 

KLEI 2D/3D SPDIF Digital Cable, posted on August 15, 2016 at 02:29:29
PingPing
Audiophile

Posts: 196
Joined: May 22, 2014
 The KLEI gZero2D and KLEI gZero3D SPDIFs are fantastic and reasonably priced. Price wise these are my clear favourites...

 

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