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RE: best digital coaxial SPDIF cable under $100

The notion of a "true 75 ohm" rca connector is often considered an oxymoron. What matters is how a 75 ohm characteristic impedance coaxial cable is terminated with an rca connector design and termination method that allows the round shape and diameter of the coaxial cable dielectric to be maintained from end to end, since a uniform relationship between the outer shield and center conductor along the entire length of the coaxial cable geometry is a vital aspect to keep cable reflections to a minimum. I prefer to use the term "75 ohm friendly" when it comes to rca connectors that are acceptable to use for an S/PDIF digital cable application when carefully terminated. Among those rca connectors I found to perform well with the Oyaide FTVS-510 are the WBT NextGen Ag, Jelco RCA PP-42, EIZZ EZ-201, and Xhadow Precision RCA. While the KLE Pure Harmony rca connector with a low eddy current design is better optimized for 75 ohm applications than many, I did not find it to provide good synergy when used with the Oyaide FTVS-510, to my ear. YMMV

A key example of an "unfriendly" rca connector for a 75 ohm application are typical 2-piece ground rca connectors such as the Canare F10 (not to be confused with the Canare RCAP-C3F crimp plug) with a strain relief mechanism that is intended to be crimped with torque around the end of the cable in order to secure the connector to the cable, which can deform the dielectric in a manner that may create substantial cable reflections as a result. Connectors that feature gentle strain relief designs or no built-in strain relief at all are better options for 75 ohm characteristic impedance applications. Another key factor is to choose a length of coaxial cable that better manages cable reflections rather than allowing strong signal reflections to degrade the signal transmission. While this particular issue can be cable dependent, 0.5 meter or 1.5 meter lengths tend to be a safer bet, at least from an anecdotal point of view vs. a 1 meter length digital coaxial cable.


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