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BNC Cable?

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Posted on October 14, 2016 at 13:26:27
mitch2
Audiophile

Posts: 1521
Location: Great Lakes
Joined: August 28, 2001
 I recently had an S/PDIF output installed in my Antipodes DX and today I tried switching from using their USB connection to the S/PDIF-BNC connection between the DX and my Metrum DAC. Surprisingly, even using an old Canare BNC connector, my initial impressions are that I like the BNC connection better.

My question is, what are folks using for BNC cables today. I assume the Canare cable is pretty middle-of-the-road or less. I would appreciate comments on what I might improve by moving to a better BNC cable, and suggestions for cables to try.

For reference, my USB connection uses either the Curious or Total DAC USB cables (I own both) from the DX to the W4S Recovery and then the Curious Link short USB cable to my Metrum DAC. The Recovery is powered by the HDPlex linear supply.

Thanks for any help.
Should I have posted this to Digital?

 

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RE: BNC Cable - OK, I'll start this..., posted on October 15, 2016 at 11:47:43
mitch2
Audiophile

Posts: 1521
Location: Great Lakes
Joined: August 28, 2001
 Is there actually much difference between well-made BNC cables? The range on Audiogon now runs from about $3,500 for a Nordost Odin to about $299 for a Silnote. A couple at relatively lower prices that I have found are Steve Nugent's Empirical Audio BNC ($250 @ 4 feet) and the VH Audio Pulsar Ag ($270 @ 1M), both of which have pure silver conductors (the VH Audio uses OCC silver). I also found an old post by Nugent saying the Canare (what I am currently using) is one of not too many (at that time) that has a true 75 ohm impedance.
Do you guys have any thoughts on how much more I need to spend to significantly better the Canare cable and, if so, what BNC cables would you suggest?

 

RE: BNC Cable - OK, I'll start this..., posted on October 15, 2016 at 17:04:16
dee eye why
Audiophile

Posts: 1148
Location: so. ohio
Joined: March 20, 2003
 BNC is said to be the best connector for S/PDIF, but I haven't noticed a lot of talk about them in regard to performance like is seen with RCA cables.
I would suggest you go with one of the lower cost options with a return policy and compare to the Canare. I use the VH Pulsar AG for RCA interconnects and it is very good for it's reasonable price.


.
Freak out...Far out...In out....

 

RE: BNC Cable - OK, I'll start this..., posted on October 15, 2016 at 18:55:22
ahendler
Audiophile

Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
 With my Singzer and Master 7 I have tried most type of connections
The I2S over HDMI is by far the best followed by SPDIF with BNC connectors and then AES/EBU. The worst is Toslink but I have not tried it with a really good glass cable
Alan

 

thanks, posted on October 15, 2016 at 19:50:20
mitch2
Audiophile

Posts: 1521
Location: Great Lakes
Joined: August 28, 2001
 Thank you Dee and Alan.
Unfortunately, I don't have the option of I2S with Metrum DACs, or as an output from the Antipodes DX.
In my internet searching, I found virtually nothing where someone said S/PDIF was better through an rca-terminated digital cable so I am glad the DX and both the Metrum Pavane and Adagio support true BNC connections. I had the Canare sitting around here from way back when I ran a Pioneer PD65 disc player into an Assemblage DAC.
If I try other BNC cables, the Pulsar Ag is at/near the top of the list right now and I have purchased from Chris before so I am considering that route, as well as Steve Nugent's BNC cable, which he (modestly) claims is excellent. In the meantime, I was surprised and happy when I heard the performance of BNC compared to even a tricked-out USB link in my system this weekend.

 

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