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Transport to dac via digital coax cable

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Posted on December 7, 2016 at 10:02:20
pc123v
Audiophile

Posts: 225
Joined: February 6, 2014
 Hello Everyone,

Can I use an interconnect cable with rca connectors in place of a digital coax cable? Intend to use it between transport and DAC. Will it work well? Sonic differences? Thanks

 

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RE: Transport to dac via digital coax cable, posted on December 7, 2016 at 11:32:16
ahendler
Audiophile

Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
 It will work ok. How good depends on the cable
Alan

 

RE: Transport to dac via digital coax cable, posted on December 7, 2016 at 12:55:30
davem1
Audiophile

Posts: 275
Location: Washington, DC Metro
Joined: July 16, 2012
 Yes it will work. However, RCA coax cables made for digital (CD transport to DAC) have almost always sounded better to my ear. Try the ICs you have and see which one works best. Subsequently, you could try some inexpensive RCA coax for video and see what happens.

 

RE: Transport to dac via digital coax cable, posted on December 7, 2016 at 13:01:27
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 Unless the line-level rca interconnect cable is a 75 ohm coaxial cable, it's unlikely to to perform well. 75 ohm digital cable specs are that of a more specialized cable vs. a line-level cable such as a twisted pair. What cable do you have in mind?

 

RE: Transport to dac via digital coax cable, posted on December 8, 2016 at 02:08:34
pc123v
Audiophile

Posts: 225
Joined: February 6, 2014
 Thanks for your input everyone.

@Duster... it's just standard rca interconnects that I have in storage. Neotec silver/gold with Klei connectors...Grover Huffman and ancient Van Den Huls. Not 75ohms I would expect. Thought I would save myself some bucks. If I do use them...what kind of sonic degration will most likely result? Thanks again.

 

RE: Transport to dac via digital coax cable, posted on December 8, 2016 at 09:10:23
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 While I can't predict how the particular cables and your digital front end will sound, most notable would likely be a skewed of not collapsed soundstage presentation, with poor imaging and other sonic issues due to cable reflections.

 

RE: Transport to dac via digital coax cable, posted on December 8, 2016 at 09:57:24
pc123v
Audiophile

Posts: 225
Joined: February 6, 2014
 Thanks Duster.

 

To add to what Duster said., posted on December 8, 2016 at 10:24:48
jea48
Audiophile

Posts: 6770
Joined: January 5, 2005
 You may also experience digital dropouts, which translates into music sound dropouts.

Just the turning on/off of a light switch may cause a dropout. Any electrical switching of a contact might cause it.

 

I am waiting for a new digital audio cable to arrive, posted on December 8, 2016 at 13:04:26
jedrider
Audiophile

Posts: 15166
Location: No. California
Joined: December 26, 2003
 I'll post a write-up on what differences to expect and these cables were on the low-price spectrum and, so far, they ALL sound different and mostly better than what I had before.

 

RE: Transport to dac via digital coax cable, posted on December 10, 2016 at 13:00:00
Jonesy
Audiophile

Posts: 3156
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Joined: September 1, 2005
Contributor
  Since: March 1, 2018



You'll never really know until you try.

In the picture shown, I have a DIY using VH Pulsar digital cable, and a DIY I made out of some old QED interconnect I had laying around from decades ago.

The Pulsar has a blacker background, is smoother, and more revealing.

The QED is more upfront, a wandering but taller soundstage, and an interesting punch in dynamics.

My opinion, for what it's worth, would say the Pulsar is more accurate and the QED more colored.

I can get lost in the beauty of the Pulsar (soul stirring, yada yada), but the QED can raise the hairs on my arms with it's attack like sound.

My taste prefers the QED. Go figure.

Let science guide you, but it doesn't hurt to try what you have on hand.

Good luck with your search.

Cheers!

Jonesy










"I know just enough to get into trouble. But not enough to get out of it."




 

RE: Transport to dac via digital coax cable, posted on December 10, 2016 at 13:48:03
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 Hi Jonesy,

Have you tried the newer VH Audio Pulsar Cu II OCC coaxial cable? I think you might find it offers a more dynamic sonic signature than the original Pulsar cable. It also provides a warmer and more full-bodied sonic signature, while still sounding coherent and detailed.

Cheers, Duster

 

RE: Transport to dac via digital coax cable, posted on December 10, 2016 at 13:57:10
Jonesy
Audiophile

Posts: 3156
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Joined: September 1, 2005
Contributor
  Since: March 1, 2018
 Hi Duster,

That's good to know. Might have to give it a try.

Thanks for this.

Cheers!

Jonesy


"I know just enough to get into trouble. But not enough to get out of it."




 

RE: Transport to dac via digital coax cable, posted on December 10, 2016 at 14:08:07
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 BTW, what rca connector did you use at the one end of your DIY Pulsar build?

 

RE: Transport to dac via digital coax cable, posted on December 10, 2016 at 15:05:33
Jonesy
Audiophile

Posts: 3156
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Joined: September 1, 2005
Contributor
  Since: March 1, 2018
 The RCA connector was from the original QED cable pair. Has a hollow barrel all the way through so you can feed a wire in very deep. The outer ring is actually quite thick and easily tightened for a good grip. DH Labs had some 75 ohm RCA connectors available but I really didn't understand how that was possible. So essentially used the QED's because I had them.

Cheers!

Jonesy


"I know just enough to get into trouble. But not enough to get out of it."




 

RE: Transport to dac via digital coax cable, posted on December 10, 2016 at 15:27:54
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 If you order a 0.5 meter length of Pulsar Cu II OCC cable from VH Audio, I'm sure you could also order a single BNC connector and single rca connector along with it. Not all sellers are as accommodating as ChrisVH...

 

RE: Transport to dac via digital coax cable, posted on December 10, 2016 at 15:56:01
Jonesy
Audiophile

Posts: 3156
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Joined: September 1, 2005
Contributor
  Since: March 1, 2018
 If possible, ordering singles would work out nicely. Thanks for the suggestion!

Jonesy


"I know just enough to get into trouble. But not enough to get out of it."




 

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