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Digital Cable shootout - Coax vs. Toslink....

Posted by darkmoebius (A) on September 12, 2005 at 17:45:40

Coax - Stereovox HDXV ($100), PS Audio xStream Resolution ($125)
Glass Toslink - AudioQuest OptiLink 5 ($450), WireWorld Supernova 3 ($75), eBay glass toslink ($25)

Well, a week or so has gone by on my "oh, so scientific" cable comparison and the results are in. My shootout has been slightly handicapped out of bad timing - I sent two of my three amps back to the manufaturers for tuneups, so I am without my Welborne DRD 300B SET monoblocks (and S&B TVC) and Almarro A318-A SET integrated (upgrading to "B" version).

The only remaining amp I have is an Audion Sterling STSE EL34 12wpc SET integrated. It is a fantastic little number as far as I can tell in the time that I've had it, but does not have the best input and driver tubes. There is clearly room for improvement. Nonetheless, it is a very musical and satisyfng amp with great detail and tonality. Although, it is nowhere near as holographic as my 300B/TVC combination.

Rather than blather on at length about what I played and the minute differences, here is the bottom line(so far).

Between the toslinks - I would love to say the great little $25 cable blew away the high(er) priced boutique labels - it didn't. Can' put it any simpler than that. But, there is not a monstrous difference between them. You can safely have terrific sound with very little money spent and never worry about what's missing. But, if you are already spedning a healthy amount on your system to get the most out of every recording, then there are clear gains to be had. Not humoungous, but significant.

Both the AQ and WW cables had better seperation between instruments/performers, greater detail, soundstaging, and space. They simply sounded better overall. Listening to Stan Getz's famous "Jazz 'Round Midnight", both cables put more reed & spit into Getz' tenor sax playing than the $25 challenger. This extra detail added a certain "human-ness" and emotion to the performance. Never more apparent than on the slow, meloncholy, "When The Sun Comes Out". The same can be said for cymbal brushes and high hat work on Brubeck's "Time Out". there was greater, ring, shimmer, and decay of the brass discs.

Of all three, the AQ had a much larger and more spacious soundstage than any other cable, coax or digital. It is immediately apparent and takes no critical listening. The SuperNova 3 has it own advantage of richer tonality, or possibly, midrange emphasis. Hard to tell if this is a positive or negative and certainly would be system dependent.

It is a toss-up which is better. I tend to lean towards the AQ style right now, but it is close and the 6x greater cost is certainly not worth the differnce, to me. Besides, for $25 more($100), you can get the latest Super Nova 5 which might actually close that gap.

Between the coax's, the Sterevox HDXV is the clear winner. Greater resolution and clarity. The PS Audio actually comes in last of the five cables if you factor in cost. The $25 glass toslink sounds absolutely identical.

So, now it is down to the AQ, WW, and Stereovox. Things get very, very, difficult here. The OptiLink has a totally different type of presentation than the other 2 very similar sounding cables. It's a space versus presence argument. The AQ having a much wider and deep soundstage, with more space between performers. While the other two are more robust, possibly a little more forward. The difference is between listening midway of a great hall as compared to the orchestra pit. Well, not that exaggerated, but hopefully you get the pciture.

The AQ sacrifices some body and flesh of tonality for the greater panorama, while the other two close the performance slightly to bring things forward in greater color.

In the end, the AQ is the best of the cables. It simply provides a much better sense of a recording's venue and the relationship between performers. As I said, there is no mistaking it's virtues, they are readily apparent. But, it's cost is not worth 5x the difference(to me).

The Stereovox and WireWorld 3 are very, very close tonally. Either one delivers great sound for the cost. Though, in my system, I would opt for the WW, especially the newest version 5.

I was surprised that the Stereovox didn't stand out as clearly superior in some areas after all I've read. It is a good cable, but not superior to the other two.

BTW, this is not the end all, be all for cable comparisons. As soon as I have all three amps in house, the real shootout will begin. For right now, I have to return three of the cables to Fatwyre.com's lending library. Next time, Nordost's White Light Toslink will square off against SuperNova 5 and AQ OptiLink 5. For coaxs, Moray Jones digital vs. (suggestions?)

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Kimber Kable

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