digital cable differences

I've tried five different digital cables with my current setup and have heard varying degrees of differences. In some instances there were slight volume and tonal differences, and also differences in soundstage size.

75 ohm hasn't always been the best in my system either. One that performed very well was 110 ohm, and the other that was very good was no different from an analogue RCA, so you never know. Both of these threw a much bigger and more lifelike sound stage than some highly regarded 75 ohm cables.

As with anything in this hobby, it's all about synergy and sometimes specifications can't predict that.

I reason that transferring digital signals between these two components is not unlike transferring digital information within a computer network. The signal conduit in computer networkds needs to be fast, high capacity and retains signal integrity through further distances. CAT cables are designed with these three factors in consideration. Since I don't think most audio/digital cables are designed with similar degree of scrutiny, I believe CAT 5 cables are better for digital audio applications than most mainstream 75ohm digital cables.

However, I can only comment on the variances in volume in terms of bits. I am guessing the lesser cable is dropping bits of resolution thus the volume sounds attenuated. This can result from the cable's inability to carry a higher capacity or doesn't have signal integrity (correct timing of bits transfer).

Try e-mailing Deano. He uses a CEC transport and has tried just about every digital cable out there, up to the 2K Kharma.