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Adding BNC Jack to CD Transport

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Posted on February 5, 2017 at 05:37:29
Batman
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Posts: 4194
Location: Western Pennsylvania
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Contributor
  Since: June 16, 2000
 I recently replaced my dead Classe CDP with a Cambridge CDX transport and I must say I'm pleasantly surprised at the sound.

However, I'm curious because my old unit had an AES/EBU interface and the new unit has only an RCA Jack. Would it be possible for me to add a BNC jack to the tranport since my dac has a BNC input jack? I haven't opened the unit yet but I'm sure I'll find the RCA jack mounted on the PCB and I would just simply wire the BNC in parallel with the RCA. Is this advisable or should I just enjoy the music?


 

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I would think it easier to make a BNC to RCA cable. nt, posted on February 5, 2017 at 07:19:29
3+4=5
 .

 

Already Did that, posted on February 5, 2017 at 07:43:24
Batman
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  Since: June 16, 2000
 Just wonering if a BNC BNC might sound better :-) Like I said, maybe I should just relax and listen to the music :-)


 

Yes, it's certainly possible, posted on February 6, 2017 at 06:26:36
1973shovel
Audiophile

Posts: 10117
Location: Greenville SC
Joined: February 25, 2007



I did that some years ago with an Audio Alchemy something or other. If memory serves me, it was one of their "jitter reducer" boxes. Just be sure to get a 75 ohm (as opposed to 50 ohm) BNC.

Since there are no true 75 ohm RCAs, the correct BNC is the way to go, or that's what the "experts" at Stereophile etc. said years ago. It was easy enough to remove the female RCA and replace it with the female 75 ohm BNC.

Given that it was inexpensive to swap, and techies claimed it measured better as an interface than the RCA, I took that route.

I linked to one below, as an example, but I can't recall which one I used.

 

RE: Adding BNC Jack to CD Transport, posted on February 6, 2017 at 11:36:48
Jonesy
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Posts: 3156
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
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  Since: March 1, 2018
 I'm trying to do a search to find something that would help you decide. From the info I remember finding many years back, it went something like this:

BNC to BNC was best.
BNC on the CD transport to RCA on the Dac was next best. Not so much the other way around. I'll keep digging and/or hopefully someone else can chime in.

If it is a BNC PC mount you are looking for, I've provided a link for a well known brand.

Cheers!

Jonesy


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




 

(Update) RE: Adding BNC Jack to CD Transport, posted on February 6, 2017 at 12:26:24
Jonesy
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Posts: 3156
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
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 If the transport was built with respect to 75 ohm, it wouldn't have used an RCA in the first place. So chances are replacing it with a BNC will not make any difference.

Cheers!

Jonesy


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




 

RE: Adding BNC Jack to CD Transport, posted on February 7, 2017 at 05:30:37
lokie
Audiophile

Posts: 1988
Location: Georgia, USA
Joined: January 28, 2003
 My transport (Sonore Signature)has a BNC jack and I'm contemplating putting a BNC jack on my DAC (AN).

Can't find a high quality BNC chasis jack.

Right now I'm using a cable w BNC on one end and a 75ohm RCA (yes they do exist) on the other end. What bothers me is the RCA on the DAC probably isn't 75ohm.

This is one of those things that, by itself, probably makes very little difference and probably undetectable sonicly. But cumulatively, if you keep changing the impedance by little bumps here and there, bad things start happening.

 

RE: Adding BNC Jack to CD Transport, posted on February 7, 2017 at 09:24:19
Jonesy
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Posts: 3156
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
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  Since: March 1, 2018
 If you have room inside the dac, you can still use the PCB mount by Vampire Wire that I posted in this thread. You won't actually be mounting, but soldering the wires to the pins. And it has the nuts to secure to the surface. I've done that, being in situations as yourself.

Cheers!

Jonesy


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




 

RE: Adding BNC Jack to CD Transport, posted on February 7, 2017 at 10:42:56
DrN
Audiophile

Posts: 366
Joined: January 31, 2014
 I have a CXC Transport and sounds quite good into a Yiggy.
I wouldn't bother at all changing the RCA out for a BNC although I use the BNC on the Yggdrasil. But that's me.

 

So you didn't mount it?, posted on February 7, 2017 at 12:03:40
Batman
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  Since: June 16, 2000
 You just soldered it to the pins of the PCB RCA? That's worth a try.


 

Nope. No mounting to PCB. , posted on February 7, 2017 at 13:15:55
Jonesy
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Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
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  Since: March 1, 2018
 Just replaced the RCA with the BNC, and soldered the existing wires to the pins.

One thing though, compare the current hole diameters of the RCA and the hole diameter requirement for the BNC. It's been a long time since I've replaced jacks of any sort, and I do recall having to widen the hole in some cases, be it BNC's or RCA's.

The BNC dimensions can be found on the net, usually from wherever you purchase.

If you do need to widen. Sometimes you can just use a round file, or you might need to use a tapered drill bit. Don't want to make it sound over complicated. Just that if you do need to widen the hole. Once it's done, it's done. No going back.

Cheers!

Jonesy


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




 

BNC dimensions link (nt), posted on February 7, 2017 at 13:30:46
Jonesy
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Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
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Contributor
  Since: March 1, 2018
 nt


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




 

Oh, posted on February 7, 2017 at 14:25:36
Batman
Audiophile

Posts: 4194
Location: Western Pennsylvania
Joined: March 31, 2000
Contributor
  Since: June 16, 2000
 I haven't opened it yet but I expect to find that the RCA is soldered to the PCB, no wires to solder to.


 

RE: Adding BNC Jack to CD Transport, posted on February 9, 2017 at 19:51:13
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 The most important 75 ohm aspect is how a 75 ohm characteristic impedance cable is terminated at each end; not necessarily the type of connector, although a basic BNC plug and jack interface design tends to follow the rules better than a typical rca interface. As long as both terminations are 75 ohm friendly, I would not go to the trouble of adding a BNC jack wired in parallel with the RCA jack, but you might consider upgrading the stock rca jack if it's sub par quality. YMMV

 

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